Leonbergers

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Pros and Cons of Having a Leonberger Service Dog

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Leonberger FAQ

What is a Leonberger?

A Leonberger is a breed of dog. They are not very popular (giant, hairy, love mud, can be quite active, eat a lot).

Where did the breed originate?

Leonberg, Germany

What do they do?

Leonbergers are a general working breed, suited to a variety of tasks. In the United States there are Leos who are Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Agility Dogs, Obedience Dogs, Water Rescue Dogs, Carting Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, Tracking Dogs, and more.

Are they AKC recognized?

No, and there are no plans for the Leonberger to become AKC recognized. In fact, in a recent poll of the members of the LCA, the overwhelming majority voted to oppose any affiliation with the AKC. Leonbergers in the United States are registered by the Leonberger Club of America (LCA).

How much do they eat?

This depends on the dog. Fergus currently eats 3-4 cups of kibble per day. Milo eats 6-9 cups of kibble per day.

Do they shed?

YES! Leo folks send hair to help protect sea turtle nests. Leo folks spin Leo fur and make sweaters. Leo folks have held discussions on whether or not Leo fur makes good mulch.

Do they drool?

No. BUT they will spit water.

Can you put a saddle on them and ride them?

No. Dogs are not horses and due to differences in their structure (dogs have a more flexible backbone, horses have a more rigid backbone), dogs cannot hold as much on their backs as horses can hold. A dog should not carry more than one third of his body weight on his back. You can, however, teach a Leo to pull a cart and with training, conditioning and proper equiptment, a Leo can pull you around.

Was that dog in the show Empty Nest a Leonberger?

No. Dreyfuss was a St. Bernard/Golden Retriever mix.

Want to know more about Leos?