Talk to me about Leonbergers!

[YoMrWhiteYall]

The good, the bad and the ugly … what are they like? What should I be aware of? Why should I NOT get one? Why SHOULD I get one?

Because you just love massive, furry creatures who will eat you out of house and home (realise I've just also described large teenage boys, but the dogs are gentler, calmer and smell better)

See also this thread
www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_doghouse/4463778-Leonbergers

and @Leonberger

They are loyal and sweet with their own family, and they are the cutest little teddies when they are puppies. However, they are often jumpy around strangers (or aloof) they can be aggressive towards other dogs. This can severely limit times places that you can exercise them. If you have an anxious one, I absolutely wouldn’t trust them with kids. They are prone to hip and leg issues that are costly to treat. Dog hair everywhere. They are notorious for being stubborn and ignoring commands. I love them though. I don’t have a leonberger, but have a similar-sized dog. It’s MUCH harder to travel with big dogs and often more expensive. A lot of groomers won’t take them on.

I don't own one but just be aware of the huge costs associated with owning breeds that size - insurance, grooming, crates, food - the size of your car 🙈🤣

I think I’ve already posted in the linked thread.

They are the best dogs in the world IMO. Mine are low energy (or maybe that’s because Ive had GSD for 25 years before that!)
However the time you save in walking you’ll spend cleaning or grooming instead.

They don’t eat as much as you expect but the costs for everything are high.

Some of them can be aloof, the livestock guardian comes out in some lines (although many leo people deny it as the standard does not allow for any bad temperament at all) I have one that loves everyone and everything and the other who is family obsessed and so loving and gentle with us but everyone else can sod off 🙈 No aggression but no interest in people or dogs either.
Adolescence is hard but mainly due to the size rather than anything else, they are very trainable but not very motivated to repeat things over and over.

Mine have never shown aggression in the home, certainly not with the children and nor should they. They live with livestock, children and cats and are probably bottom of the pecking order for everything 😄

My parents used to breed them when I was growing up. They are beautiful dogs. I've never come across one with a nasty temperament.

Yes they’re a friendly breed - like most dog breeds.

But the hair! Hair everywhere! And slobber. I found that they’re just too big - they take up too much space in the car, out in public etc. They require a lot of food and don’t live very long.

@Leonberger do you recognise any of this in the breed? 😱 I specifically need a child friendly dog and one that I can take anywhere … (as in on holiday, to pub gardens, garden centres etc)

Low energy sounds good! You say they’ve never shown any aggression in the home … does this mean they have shown aggression outside?

I have a teenage boy- where can I swap for a Leonburger?
I know a few and they are lovely, I would love one but DH considers our GR a bit big so I’ve no chance

Leonberger don't slobber or drool. If they do then you’ve got one that isn’t breed standard as they should be close lipped and dry mouthed.

@YoMrWhiteYall no not really. Mine have never been aggressive. My big male went through a phase at about 18 months of squaring up to other entires at dog shows, lots of puffing up and grumbling but that’s about it. I don’t think that’s a leonberger trait, more an entire teenage male one! That one in particular does not enjoy people fussing him, probably because he gets hassled everywhere as he stands about 75-80kgs but his default would never be aggression more avoidance. He would lie all day at a cafe and not bat an eyelid.
They are very affectionate, they like to lean on you and sit on your knee.

The grooming is a nightmare, I like grooming but after every walk they are thick of mud/branches/sticky things which take forever to get out. They are wet for ages if they go out in the rain.

Generally the breed should be calm, friendly to all and not aggressive in any way. Aggression is a big fault within the breed BUT like anything there are many factors which can cause aggression and some livestock traits can pop out.

@YoMrWhiteYall - I specifically mentioned that I wouldn’t trust the jumpy, anxious types with little kids. I wouldn’t trust any dog like that with kids regardless of the size. (Including my own.) Not just because the dog is nervous but because kids aren’t good at reading the subtle cues that the dog isn’t feeling comfortable before they snap. (Or listening to directions of told to stop what they are doing.)

@Fraaahnces out of interest, how many nervous/aggressive leos have you met? Are they dogs you know personally or just ones you’ve seen out and about?

Not disagreeing with you at all, just I don’t think I’ve met any dodgy ones and I’ve met a lot in the show world. One of mine is the typical happy wants to see everyone Leo, the other is a bit less typical of the breed but I’ve never really met an aggressive one!

@YoMrWhiteYall i’ve already posted on your last thread so nothing more to add other than make sure your walls are washable as they lean on everything. I have had one encounter with an unpredictable Leo but he had been returned to the breeder as an unsocialised dog. I’ve met a couple which are more aggressive than ‘grumbling’ at shows but like @Leonberger says it is more about an entire male thing and could happen in any breed. Socialising from a very early age (puppy classes) and similar varied exposure to noise is essential. Mine is from a very calm line but so was the unsocialised one so this is absolutely an owner issue. Totally agree that they have to understand where they come in the pecking order, my boy did try bullying my DD in adolescence but this was resolved by ensuring she fed him. On that note, mine is raw fed (breeder recommendation) but is a grazer which can be a PITA. His uncle was the same, it is a bit of a Leo trait. I wouldn’t leave any dog of any type alone with a child. If you do have kids, remember all dogs mouth when losing puppy teeth and Leo’s like to exercise their jaws so a good supply of fresh raw lamb/beef bones and large cold carrots is a good idea. I also used to wrap treats in knots in old tea towels/towels to provide mental stimulation/wear him out. He also loves a Waitrose marrowbone (he is very spoiled 😂)

@Leonberger - a couple… Although they are aggressive to other dogs and animals as they are anxious. More aloof towards new people, but their body language wouldn’t allow me to trust them around kids. The breeder (in Austria) suspected it was a breed problem. They’re gorgeous dogs, though!!! I need to let you know that I absolutely love them.