Leonberger

Like every breed, the Leonberger is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:

• Use reward-based techniques.
• Start socialisation early and keep it going.
• Teach them not to pull on the lead while they are still small.
• Work on a reliable recall.

• Children

  Usually better with older, calmer children.

• Other dogs

  Varies with the individual dog.

• Cats and small pets

  Varies with the individual dog.

• Flats and smaller homes

  Usually needs a roomy home.

• Garden

  A garden is helpful.

• Being left alone

  Usually copes only with short periods alone.

• First-time owners

  Best with an experienced owner.

Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.

• Hip and elbow dysplasia

  Poor development of the hip or elbow joints causes laxity that eventually leads to arthritis. Breeding dogs should be screened under the BVA/KC Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Schemes.

• Gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat)

  The stomach twists, trapping its contents and gas. This is an emergency that needs urgent veterinary attention, and it is often seen in large, deep-chested breeds. Smaller, more frequent meals can help reduce the risk.

• Glaucoma

  A painful build-up of pressure in the eye. Eye testing, including gonioscopy for pectinate ligament abnormality, is recommended under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme.

• Cataracts

  Clouding of the lens of the eye, which can lead to blindness.

• Leonberger polyneuropathy

  A neuromuscular disease that causes nerve loss. DNA tests for LPN1 and LPN2 are available, as is a test for laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy (LPPN3).

• Leukoencephalomyelopathy (LEMP)

  A disease of the nervous system that affects the spinal cord. A DNA test is available.

Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Leonberger home, it is reasonable to ask about:

• Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
• Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
• Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
• Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.

There are two costs: bringing a Leonberger home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.

Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically up to 10 years, not just the first year.

If you have decided the Leonberger suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.

• Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
• Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
• Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
• Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.

Leonbergers do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.

Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.