Leonberger Breed description: Character & Co

Breed characteristics of the Leonberger

TheLeonberger is classifiedby the FCI as Group 2(Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid - Swiss Mountain Dogs), Section 2.2(Molossoid, Mountain Dogs). No working test isrequired.

As a very large dog breed, males shouldreach a height of about 72-80cm, with a recommended average of 76cm, and bitches 65 - 75 cm, with a recommended average of 70cm. The breed standard does not specify a weight, but they usually weigh between 45-70kg. In this breed very great emphasis is placed on the sex differences.

The gait

The Leonberger has a space-grasping, even movement sequence in all gaits. There is an expansive stride and good thrust.thrust. In walk andtrot,fromfrontandrearViewed,should result in a straight limb alignment.

The head

The head of this breed is on the whole deeper than broad and elongated rather than stocky. The ratio of muzzle to top of head is about 1 : 1. The skin lies close all over, so that there are no forehead wrinkles. The skull is slightly domed in profile and seen from the front, strong to match the torso and limbs, but not heavy. The rear part should not bemuch wider than that at the eyes. The stop is clearly visible, but moderately pronounced.

The muzzle

The muzzle of the Leonberger is rather long, never tapering with a black nose. The bridge of his nose is evenly broad, never sunken - even rather slightly arched (ramsnose).

The black lips are close fittingwith closed lip angles. A scissor bite is typical , with the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and the teeth set square to the jaws. The absence oftheM3istolerated, also a pincer bite ispermissible. However, there must be no constriction in the canines inthe lower jaw. The jaws are only slightly developed.

The eyes & ears

The medium sized, oval eyes of the Leonberger are light brown to as dark brown as possible, neitherdeep-set nor prominent, but also neither too narrow nor too wide apart.The eyelids are attached andnoconjunctiva is visible. The white of the eye (the visible part of the sclera) must not be reddened.

The pendulous ears, which are also medium in size , areset onhigh, notfarback and are fleshy.

The rump

The neck of the Leonberger runs iIn aslightcurvewithout astep intothe(especially in males) pronounced withers. It is rather long than stocky, without loose throat skin or dewlap. The straight back is tight but broad, the loins equally broad and strong as well as well muscled. Continuing lies a broad, relatively long butgentlyrounded croup, which mergessmoothlyintothe tail set on and must in no case be overbuilt.

Leonbergers have a broad, deep chest that reaches at least to elbow level, but is not too barrel-shaped, but rather oval. The lower profile line andbelly are only slightly tucked up.

The tail

Very richly coated, the tail is straight hanging when standing. But also in movement it should be carried only slightly curved up and preferably not extending beyond the length of the topline.

The limbs

The limbs are very strong, especially in the male. Theforelegs should be straight, parallel and not tightly set. The well-muscled shoulders and upper arms are long and sloping. They form with each other a not too obtuse angle. The elbows are close together, the strong pasterns are firm andstraight when viewed from the front and almost vertical when viewedfrom the side.

The position of the hind legs, seen from behind, shouldnot be too narrow but parallel. The pelvis lies oblique, the rather long and strongly muscled thigh likewise . The latter forms a distinct angle with the lower leg. The hock isstrong with adistinct angle between the lower leg and the hind pastern.

The front feet should be rounded, the hind feet only slightly elongated. Both are straight set with arched toes and black pads.

The coat

The coat of the Leonberger is medium to coarse, abundantly long, close lying and never parted. It should still show the shape of the conformation everywhere, despite a good undercoat. Furthermore, it is simple, slightly wavy is still permitted. On the neck and chest (especially in males) it forms a mane. There is a clear feathering of the front, and pronounced pants on the hind legs.

In terms of color, the Leonberger comes in lion yellow, red, reddish brown, also sand-colored (pale yellow, cream) and all combinations between them, each with a black mask. Black hair tips are permissible, but black must not determine the basic color of the dog. Lightening of the ground color on the underside of the tail, on the ruff, the feathering of the forelegs and the pants of the hind legs must not be so pronounced as to disturb the harmony with the main color.

A small white chest patch or narrow chest line and white hairs on the toes are tolerated.