2012 - Volume #36, Issue #1, Page #10
[ Sample Stories From This Issue | List of All Stories In This Issue | Print this story
| Read this issue]
Big Dog That Becomes One Of The Family
 |
“We embrace the hair. They live in the house and want to be part of the family. They’re amazing family companions,” explains Beth O’Connor, who lives with two Leonbergers and is president of the Leonberger Club of America, which has 1,100 members. “They are amazing in terms of their ability to read and understand their people.”
Dark facemasks are a main characteristic of the dogs which grow to 28 to 31 1/2 in. tall at the withers. The breed has a double coat, and the male has a lion-like mane of hair on his neck and chest. They vary in color from “lion-yellow” to red-brown with black tips on their coats and a little white hair on the chest and toes. Despite their size (150 lbs. or more) they run with an even, balanced gait that leaves an impression of effortless power.
The breed goes back to 1846 in Leonberg, Germany. It’s suspected that Landseer, Saint Bernard, Pyrenean Mountain and other dog breeds were used to create the breed.
Leonbergers were nearly wiped out in WW I, but a couple dedicated breeders found 25 of them. The men also started an official breed registry. An American club organized in 1985.
In 1997, three Leonberger dogs played the role of “Buck” in the movie, “The Call of the Wild: Dog of the Yukon.”
“I saw a photo of a Leonberger in a book, and I thought it was the most beautiful dog I’ve ever seen,” O’Connor says. Without any background for buying a purebred dog, she drove 6 hours to meet with a breeder in Los Angeles for a 3-hour interview. Getting to know a breeder is key, O’Connor says, noting she has developed lifelong friendships with the breeders of her dogs – and with other members of the club.
Puppies from good breeders range from $1,800 to $2,500, and it’s important to take time to learn if the breed is right for you, O’Connor emphasizes. The Leonberger Club requires breeders to conduct several tests before selling puppies – including those that check the hips, eyes, thyroid and for a rare neurological disorder. Life expectancy for Leos is 8 to 10 years. Leos that reach 12 years are affectionately given the Grey Muzzle award.
In addition to their friendly, loyal nature, Leos do well in obedience and agility trials, water rescue, draft work and therapy work. They make good watchdogs and bark when someone knocks on a door, for example. But they are not aggressive by nature.
They definitely require training and attention, and some have higher energy levels than others, O’Connor says. She adds that the breed seems to attract a certain kind of people.
“I’ve met some of the most giving people all over the country and internationally who own Leos,” she says. “It’s about the joy of having a dog in your life that is part of your family.”
She recommends people interested in the breed contact the organization for more information and to find respected breeders.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Leonberger Club of America, P.O. Box 203, Pinehurst, Mass. 01866 (ph 916 743-4501; info@leonbergerclubofamerica.com; www.leonbergerclubofamerica.com).
Click here to download page story appeared in.
Click here to read entire issue
To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.
