Leonberger

Temperament

The Leonberger combines an impressive look with an exceptionally gentle character. The FCI standard stresses its composure, self-assurance and marked friendliness toward children; it is a dog that is neither timid nor aggressive. At home an adult Leo tends to be calm and likes to lie in the middle of the action, preferably in a doorway. Puppies and adolescents are a different story: boisterous, clumsy and unaware of their own size, they can knock a child over with a swipe of the tail. It usually greets strangers in a friendly way but stays alert and barks to mark a visitor's arrival. It learns quickly and likes to cooperate, though it can be sensitive to a raised voice. It loves water and will often jump into every puddle. It copes badly with being cut off from its family; life in a kennel run is a punishment for it.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Barking

quietvocal

With other dogs

difficultgreat

Protectiveness

lowhigh

Drooling

hardly anya lot

Cold tolerance

feels the coldexcellent

Heat tolerance

strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Leonberger for?

The Leonberger is a dog for a family with a house and a large yard who enjoy walks in any weather and don't mind hair on the floor or drool on their pants. It gets along well with children. Don't choose one for an apartment, if you have a limited budget for a large dog's vet care, or if you would struggle to control 60 kilograms on a leash.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

An adult Leonberger is calm, but it needs at least an hour of solid exercise every day: long walks, hikes, swimming or pulling a cart. A growing puppy needs protecting, with no jumping, stairs or long runs, because its bones and joints develop quickly. The dense coat with an abundant undercoat sheds all year and very heavily twice a year. The AKC recommends daily brushing of the areas that mat, behind the ears and on the backs of the legs, plus a thorough brushing of the whole dog once a week; at this size, that takes a good while. Trim the nails every two weeks. Split food into two meals, and let the dog rest after eating to lower the risk of bloat. A Leonberger needs a house with a large, fenced yard.

Health and breed-related conditions

Like many giant breeds, the Leonberger is short-lived. A 2024 UK study found a median of 10 years, and the Kennel Club describes its lifespan as under 10 years. The biggest sudden threat is bloat, which is fatal without prompt surgery; the AKC mentions the option of a preventive gastropexy. The breed also has inherited polyneuropathies (LPN1, LPN2, LPPN3) and leukoencephalomyelopathy, for which the Kennel Club recommends DNA tests, as well as joint dysplasia and eye disease. A responsible breeder will show you the X-ray, eye exam and genetic test results for both parents.

• gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)A life-threatening condition typical of large breeds; signs include restlessness, drooling and a swollen belly.
• inherited polyneuropathies (LPN1, LPN2, LPPN3)Diseases of the peripheral nerves that cause weakness and laryngeal problems; there are DNA tests for them.
• leukoencephalomyelopathy (LEMP)A progressive disease of the white matter of the nervous system; a DNA test is available.
• hip and elbow dysplasiaA risk typical of giant dogs; the parents should have X-rays.
• eye diseaseThe Kennel Club recommends an eye exam with gonioscopy.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

In the late 1830s, Heinrich Essig, a town councilor in Leonberg near Stuttgart, bred a black-and-white Newfoundland female to a male from the monastery on the Great St. Bernard Pass, and later added a Pyrenean dog. He wanted a dog that looked like a lion, the heraldic animal of Leonberg. The first dogs called Leonbergers were born in 1846 and soon spread around the world as a fashionable status symbol. By the late 19th century they were valued farm dogs in Baden-Württemberg, working as guardians and draft dogs. Both world wars nearly drove the breed to extinction.

Fun facts

• The lion on Leonberg's coat of arms inspired the breed's look.
• The FCI standard recommends an average height of 76 cm for males and 70 cm for females.
• As early as the 19th century, Leonbergers were sold from Leonberg all over the world as a fashionable status symbol.
• The FCI standard describes the Leonberger as a dog that "can be taken anywhere without difficulty."

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Large dog breeds
• Best dogs for kids

Sources

1. 1FCI – wzorzec nr 145 Leonbergerfci.be
2. 2AKC – Leonbergerakc.org
3. 3The Kennel Club – Leonbergerthekennelclub.org.uk
4. 4McMillan i in. 2024, Longevity of companion dog breeds, Scientific Reportsnature.com

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.