Leonberger
The Leonberger is a German dog breed named after the city of Leonberg in Baden-Württemberg. They are usually enormous and muscular with a black mask on their head.
Breed Profile
Height
27 – 31
Inches
Weight
90 – 170
Pounds
Life Span
8 – 9
Years
Health
health
Hip Dysplasia
What is it?:
As a result of poor joint development, hip joints become lax, eventually leading to arthritis.
Clinical signs
Lack of activity
A reduction in range of motion
Loss of thigh muscle
Treatment
A few treatment options are:
Joint supplements
Physical therapy
Total hip replacement surgery
Double or triple pelvic osteotomy
Femoral head ostectomy
Eligible vet bill
$3,500
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus
What is it?:
In this condition, stomach contents and gas are trapped in the stomach by rotating. Ultimately the stomach tissue may die and lead to a rupture
Clinical signs
Early signs of Gastric Dilation Volvulus are:
Vomiting
Bloating
Drooling
Stomach pain
Collapsing
Treatment
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus is very fatal and the most common treatment is to get the condition reversed through an operation. Other treatments include:
Try to reduce the bloat
A fluid drip helps with their dropping blood pressure.
Pain medication can be prescribed
Eligible vet bill
$5,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Active
Leonberger’s love physical activities such as swimming, shadowing and pulling weights.
Affectionate
Leonberger are very friendly and great cuddle buddies, They are very sensitive towards kids and are often called gentle giants.
Calm
Despite their huge size, these dogs are actually very mellow and calm
Lifetime Care
Coat
In addition to their thick, full outer coats, Leon Bergers have shorter, furry undercoats as well.
Colors
Leonberger are normally red, reddish-brown, sandy, and yellow.
Hypoallergenic
No
Grooming
In addition to the Leonberger's thick and long coat, maintain your dog's well-being by brushing it regularly and by washing the lower legs, if dirty, using water and towels to dry it off.
Training
Leonberger are a smart dog breed and are easy to train. It is better to start training them early at roughly 8 weeks so that you don't have to deal with a strong, stubborn, huge dog later.
Learn more about the cost of caring for a Leonberger.
The breed dates back to the 18th century. Leonberg is actually the name of a town where a dog breeder named Heinrich Essig crossed a female Landseer Newfoundland with a male St. Bernard. However, this story is also alleged as there are other stories that claim the birth of this giant gentle breed. Leonbergers were bred to resemble a lion which is visible through their lion’s mane. They were owned by Royals like Empress Elisabeth of Austria, King Umberto of Italy, and the Czar of Russia.
Leon Berger : Introduction to the Breed
Are you planning to buy a Leonburger? Then here are a few facts about the breed. They may be known for their massive appearance and protective nature but the breed has a lot more to offer than what meets the eye.
Leonberger’s are generally:
Leonberger’s are great hiking buddies
Great with kids and strangers
They love swimming and are great watch dogs
Very confident with a strong bark
Leonbergers are one of the dimorphic breeds; meaning that a male and a female of the same breed would show significantly different traits
Male Vs Female Leonbergers
Males are generally heftier weighing about 130 pounds while females are comparatively lesser who weigh around 105 pounds
Males are also slight taller
Males have been known to be more aggressive and bold than their female counterparts which are more mellow
Things to know before owning a Leonberger
Although this breed is very affectionate and family friendly a few pointers to keep in mind before bringing them home to your family are:
They shed mounds of hair daily, which has started a new internet trend
They are quite big in size which is why they require spacious homes
They require exercise daily
They often knock things over, because of their size
And also because of the size, they can look scary to the toddlers in the house. So should be brought home with older kids if possible
Apart from the health conditions mentioned above these dogs are also prone to cataracts, cancers like osteosarcoma, lymphoma, polyneuropathy and bone conditions like osteochondritis, etc.
Feeding Habits for a Leonberger –
For their optimum health and performance, Leonbergers' diet should consist of proteins, healthy fats, ground bones, and vegetables - which are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. It is important to take care of their weight and keep a check on what is fed to them. It’s also recommended that these dogs be fed twice in a day rather than one big meal to avoid bloating. Leonbergers are not the only one which are prone to this condition. Several breeds, especially the bigger ones like St. Bernard, Rottweilers, Husky, Labradors, etc. are also susceptible to bloating.
What should a Leonberger eat?
What should a Leonberger not eat?
Conclusion
A Leon berger is a rare breed, due to its humongous size. But it is one of the friendliest dog breeds that is absolutely caring of children and loves to be around family. The only thing it requires is accommodation of space and a good exercise as it is an active breed. Once you have a Leo it's difficult to look any other way, as these loving giants win your heart very quickly!
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