By Lori
For me, I think Leonbergers are the perfect dog! Leonbergers are fun, loving, and affectionate dogs. They have a sense of humor and sometimes what they think is funny is not so funny to us though. If you like a dog who loves life, their family, and any sort of water or mud they can find, then maybe a Leo might suit you too.
Leonbergers love their people. They want to be wherever you are at all times. Leaving the house and not taking your Leo with you will get you the saddest look that will make you feel guilty every time. For this reason, even though a Leonberger is a big hairy dog, they are not suited for living outside. They just want to be with their people too much. They do much better living in the middle of the family whether it is just you and your Leo, or a busy family with lots of children and chaos. When people come to my farm I tell them it is easy to find me, just look for the dogs, they will always be where I am.
Leonbergers shed. I am asked many times if they shed and yes they do, just look at the coats on these dogs. The shedding is not too bad on a daily basis, but when they blow their coat, look out, the dust bunnies turn into dust puppies and we have litters of them rolling around! When we had carpeting, I used to think I had a new dog when one would get up and leave it’s silhouette on the ground. I myself prefer hair as opposed to drool, which is another reason the Leos are perfect for me, they don’t drool. Like all dogs, they can drool over wanting some yummy tidbit you are thinking of not sharing, it is the drool that is like glue that I dislike. Scraping drool off of walls is not for me, but sweeping up some dog hair no big deal. Besides, all the birds on my farm make lovely soft nests for their babies from my Leo’s fur that I put outside.
Water!! Yes, it can be everywhere. Leo puppies are adorable, but give them a water dish and they try and turn it into a swimming pool. Puddles they make and always when they have dirty feet. Muddy wet Leo feet can turn a lovely clean floor into a work of art with all their paw prints. Toilets are also great play toys for pups. I have been sitting on the couch not paying attention to where a puppy is until it is to late. I hear splash and know they are playing in the toilet. I had two same age pups and went upstairs to find the two of them running around my bathroom in inch deep water from splashing it out of the toilet. They were having so much fun and were so pleased with themselves.
A small dog might chew up a shoe or two, a Leo might chew up a door frame, carpet, or whatever else strikes their fancy. They have even been known to open closet doors and destroy whatever is inside. I got that call from one of my puppy owners, I am including the pictures, her boy took it upon himself to open the sliding closet door and empty and destroy anything and everything that was inside. So, glad she loves him. I did offer to take him back, but she kept him anyway. Leos are big and that means they can reach things others dogs cant. They are also fairly easy to train, thank goodness.
Leonbergers are big powerful dogs and do need training. People meet my dogs and ask me if they are always this calm Any dog, small or large will not be a great companion if it does not have basic obedience. First of all, you must start with a puppy with a good temperament. A typical Leo temperament is an easy going dog that wants to please you. A Leo is not meant to be shy or aggressive. They are not typically a hyper dog either. Leos do go through an adolescent stage, and as an owner, it is up to us to train them to behave in public and around other animals. They do not do well with heavy handed training, if I raise my voice to one, the others also get upset hoping they are not in trouble. So, heavy handed training does not work with Leonbergers.
What can you do with a Leonberger? Anything you want! They are great at water rescue, carting, obedience and agility (but not with the gusto other breeds do it with), and therapy (I think this is their main calling). If you go into anything with your Leo, do it with an open mind and a sense of humor, because you will need it. You could be in an obedience ring with your Leo, and they see someone they know or an interesting kid, they might just leave and decide to go and visit.
So, if you think owning a smart dog, with a sense of humor, that loves to play in water, rolls around in the mud, come into the house and shares all this with you is wonderful, then a Leo might be the perfect dog for you too.
