Leonberger

Origin of the Leonberger:

The Leonberger breed of dogs is originally from Germany, precisely from the city of Leonberg located a few kilometers from Stuttgart in the Wuntemberg region, which is why the breed bears that name. It is a molossus whose origin is not well defined in time but it is estimated that it derives from crosses between the Saint Bernard and the Great Pyrenees produced in the early 19th century.

There are those who claim that its domestication is much older, there are even writings by Marco Polo where he mentions a type of dog with similar characteristics. The dog Marco Polo refers to is believed to be the Tibetan Mastiff, a dog listed as its predecessor with characteristics very similar to the current Leonberger.

It is also important to mention the existence of writings from the year 1625 where specimens that could well be Leonberger are described. The writings come from Austria and would be from an environment close to those of the prince of that country. Although there is more than enough data to affirm that the beginnings of the Leonberger are between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the reality is that they all rely on a study made by Werner Jocker in the early sixties.

Jocker developed in his study the considerations that had to be taken into account to domesticate this animal and also emphasized the history of this breed. Stating that the emergence of this breed dates back to the 19th century, Jocker also stated in his writings that the breed derives from the cross of a male Saint Bernard and a female of race Newfoundland Landseer type. Later the offspring were crossed with males of the Great Pyrenees breed, finally obtaining the famous Leonberger that we know today.

Según Jocker el primer perro Leonberger nace en 1946 y él creador de la raza fue Heinrich Essig, un consejero municipal que tenía una gran adoración por los animales. العب واربح المال الحقيقي La realidad sobre éste estudio hecho por Joker y que muchos consideran como referencia ha tenido también muchos detractores ya que parece imposible genéticamente obtener de las cruzas mencionadas anteriormente un ejemplar como él Leonberger.

What can be said is that Essig was in charge of making the Leonberger race invade all of Europe in a few years. During this century, personalities such as Czar Nicholas and Napoleon III were able to adopt a Leonberger. Even in those years these specimens reached other continents such as the American and the Asian.

Character and personality of the Leonberger:

El Leonberger es un perro grande, fuerte y musculoso que a la vez tiene una gran elegancia. Se caracteriza principalmente por su tranquilidad y su vivaz temperamento. شرح البوكر Los Leonberger suelen tener mucho entusiasmo y hacer todas las actividades diarias con pasión y mucho ánimo.

Regarding its behavior as a household dog or family dog, the Leonberger adapts to various scenarios of current life and is a very pleasant friend and companion that can be taken to all kinds of places without generating any kind of problems. It is also a dog that will get along with children since it is not aggressive at all and is very playful. As a companion dog, in addition to being pleasant, it is obedient and knows how to perfectly control its size and strength.

This breed has a very great value and that is why we will find definitions about it that affirm that these dogs are intrepid and easily face all kinds of situations that arise, be they dangerous or not. They have a great capacity for learning and attention, it is a guardian and it adapts perfectly to living with other dogs and pets even if they were not raised together.

Ideal for families with young children due to its nature as a rescue dog and its balanced character.

Leonberger images:

Health and possible diseases:

Like all large dogs, the Leonberger is exposed to various types of diseases. Among those that are most presented by their race we have the following:

Gastric torsion:

It is one of the most serious problems and one that occurs with considerable frequency. It is typical in giant breeds and the definition of this disease is when the stomach twists or turns on its own axis, blocking the tube that connects the stomach to the esophagus. The animal will present excessive salivation and a recurring urge to vomit without being able to do so. It is required to take it immediately to a veterinarian since if it is not treated it results in the death of the animal.

Hip dysplasia:

It is hereditary and produced by a malformation of the bones and joints that join the femur with the hip. It is essential to control exercise at an early age and to carry out check-ups after the fourth month of life to treat this disease in time.

Throughout it causes problems in the mobility of the dog.

Hypothyroidism:

Low production of thyroid hormone that ends up affecting the Leonberger's mood, considerable weight gain and constant need to be in warm places.

It is a disease that can be easily controlled but for this it must be identified.

Eye problems:

Entropion is common, which is when one or both of its eyelids turn inward, causing the animal's eyelashes to cause irritation to the eyeball. Atrophy of the retina that can end, if not treated, in the blindness of the adult animal. Among other common diseases related to sight we have cataracts and loss of the lens of the eye that also end with the blindness of the animal if they are not treated. العاب القمار

Ancestral paralysis or polyneuropathy:

It causes large degenerations in the nervous system of the animal. It can be identified by changing their bark, panting constantly, lying down much of the time, and often coughing after eating or drinking water. The symptoms that the animal usually has mainly are constant fatigue and weakness in the muscles of its limbs.

Recommended diet and diet:

It is imaginable due to the complexion of their body that these animals usually ingest large amounts of food. Even so, you have to pay close attention to what is fed and the amounts that are given to these animals since they are prone to gaining weight.

Regarding their diet, you have to be careful and provide a balanced amount of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that these animals need, ensuring that both their bones and cartilage are in optimal condition.

Considering that Leonbergers tend to suffer from problems such as gastric torsion it is always recommended that their food be given in small portions and more frequently. Giving them two high-volume servings a day will increase their chances of contracting the disease, as will making them exercise shortly after eating. Likewise, to avoid these complications, it is recommended to control your hydration and verify that you do not ingest large amounts in a single dose.

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Recommended exercise:

Leonbergers are usually obedient dogs so their training is not complicated at all. The only problem that can occur in the exercise of dogs of this breed is in the time they demand and the great energy they have.

Among the most recommended exercises for this breed are all those that are in the water, since it is a dog that enjoys water and swimming a lot, all those exercises that make it run and jump and all those that can be performed with balls and others. canine toys.

Leonbergers are considered the easiest dogs to train for rescue duties and are suitable for first-time families. Something that does not happen with other giant breed dogs.

Complementing exercise with walks is always a good option since they are dogs that love the company of their close ones. This activity should be repeated frequently, especially when they live in houses that are not spacious enough for them.

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Cleanliness:

Keep in mind that the Leonberger's coat is very voluminous and therefore requires a lot of care. Its long and thick coat tends to tangle quite easily, so brushing daily or at least once every three days is very necessary. To remove dead hair and make your coat look shiny and shiny on one side and to avoid the formation of knots and tangles on the other.

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The Leonberger performs two and up to three hair changes a year. Always bear in mind that this can vary depending on the area where said animal lives, since in areas with higher temperatures it can even make one or two more changes of its coat a year.

Brushing the Leonberger is essential not only so that the animal looks good and clean, but not doing it with the corresponding frequency can cause problems in the dog's skin.

It is recommended to periodically check the animal's fur for the presence of mites, ticks and fleas, since its dense fur can make it difficult to detect them.

As for baths with warm water, it is recommended to perform them every six weeks in places with high temperatures and every eight or ten weeks in areas where temperatures are lower. When doing the baths, try to pay close attention to the products used in the wash as they can cause allergies or irritations to your skin and ears because they are prone to contracting infections in them.

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