At a glance the quick version
FCI and UKC standards set no weight. Wikipedia gives about 54-77 kg for males and 45-61 kg for females; Hill's gives 50-77 kg (110-170 lb) overall and Chewy 41-77 kg (90-170 lb).
Coat and looks how to spot one
medium-long, weatherproof double coat
A thick undercoat sits under a long, close-lying outer coat that ranges from fairly soft to coarse and may be straight or slightly wavy. Males in particular carry a lion-like mane over the neck and chest, and the front legs are feathered while the hind legs have full breeches. The body is big, muscular and still elegant, slightly longer than tall, with a deep chest and a calm, confident bearing. A black mask on the face is a defining feature.26
Personality what they are like
A friendly, even-tempered giant that bonds closely with the whole family and is known for being especially kind with children. Leonbergers are neither timid nor aggressive; they tend to size up a situation quietly and may simply place themselves between their people and a stranger rather than make a fuss. They learn readily, like to be included in family life and are often described as tuned in to their owners' moods.2459
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Needs daily activity plus mental work. Hill's suggests at least an hour a day of mixed exercise and brain games; The Royal Kennel Club lists more than two hours a day. Brisk walks, hiking, supervised swimming, obedience, agility and draft work all suit the breed.4758
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush thoroughly at least once a week, and daily during the heavy spring and autumn moult, as the double coat sheds all year. Bathe occasionally (every 4-6 weeks is a common routine), check ears weekly, trim nails every 3-4 weeks and brush teeth regularly.475
Home where they are happiest
Best in a large home with a large, securely fenced garden; a rural setting suits the breed well. Not an apartment dog. The weather-resistant coat means it is happy outdoors in wet and cold conditions, but it should live with the family rather than apart from it.75
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A complete food formulated for large or giant breeds, with a large-breed puppy formula during growth so the frame develops at a steady pace. Keep the dog lean by measuring portions and adjusting to activity.45
Company who they like around
A strongly family-oriented dog that wants to be part of daily life. Usually gets on well with other dogs and can live happily with cats, especially when raised together. Early socialisation and short, positive, consistent training sessions work best; supervision with small children is sensible simply because of the dog's size.54
The story where it all began
The breed is credited to Heinrich Essig, a town councillor, mayor and animal dealer of Leonberg near Stuttgart. Starting in the 1830s he crossed a black-and-white Landseer-type Newfoundland female with a male 'Barry' dog from the Great St Bernard Hospice, then added further St Bernard lines and the Pyrenean Mountain Dog over several generations. His goal was a dog that looked like the lion on Leonberg's town crest, and the first dogs registered as Leonbergers were born in 1846. Essig was a gifted promoter, and his dogs went to royal households across Europe, including Empress Elisabeth of Austria and Napoleon III; Leonbergers also appeared in AKC stud books between 1887 and 1902. After Essig died in 1889, breed clubs formed from 1891 and artist Albert Kull wrote the first breed standard. In everyday life the breed became a valued farm, draught and watch dog in Baden-Württemberg. Both world wars brought it close to vanishing. After the First World War, Karl Stadelmann and Otto Josenhans found only about 25 dogs, five of them suitable for breeding, and in 1922 a group of breeders rebuilt the population. Numbers fell again in the Second World War, and today's Leonbergers trace back to the eight dogs that came through it. The German club reformed in 1948, an international union of Leonberger clubs was founded in 1975, the Leonberger Club of America followed in 1987, and the AKC granted full recognition in 2010.21036
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The breed was designed to resemble the lion on the coat of arms of its home town, Leonberg.6
- 2
Royal owners included Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi), Napoleon III, the Prince of Wales, Otto von Bismarck and King Umberto I of Italy.3
- 3
When the AKC fully recognised the Leonberger on 1 January 2010, it became the club's 167th breed.3
- 4
Three Leonbergers shared the role of Buck in the 1997 film 'The Call of the Wild: Dog of the Yukon'.3
- 5
Leonbergers work as water rescue dogs, including at the Italian School of Canine Lifeguards, alongside Newfoundlands and retrievers.3
- 6
After the First World War, a cooperative of seven breeders produced about 350 Leonbergers in four years, starting from only five breeding-quality dogs.10
- 7
Essig-bred dogs named Caesar and Sultan toured America with show-business performers in the late 1800s.10
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard No. 145, Group 2 (Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs), Section 2.2 Molossoid, mountain type; definitive acceptance 17 Feb 1955; current standard published 4 Jan 1996; no working trial1
- AKC
- Working Group; full recognition 1 Jan 2010 as the 167th AKC breed (Foundation Stock Service from 2003)3
- UKC
- Guardian Dog Group; recognised March 1991; standard revised 1 Dec 20146
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Working Group7
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Leonberger. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingDaily during heavy sheddingevery 3 days
- Deshedding spring and autumnExtra brushing while the coat blowsevery day
- Double coats insulate against cold and heat, so shaving is not recommended
- Bathevery 10 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseAbout 60 minutes a dayevery day
- Heat care summerWalk in the cool morning and eveningevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 6every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI nomenclature: Leonberger (145) fci.beused for recognition, group, origin
- FCI Standard No. 145 Leonberger fci.beused for height, coat, colours, temperament, history
- Wikipedia: Leonberger en.wikipedia.orgused for history, weight, lifespan, AKC recognition, fun facts
- Hill's Pet: Leonberger Dog Breed Guide hillspet.comused for weight, lifespan, exercise, grooming, diet, training
- Chewy: Leonberger breed guide chewy.comused for weight, space, social needs, grooming, diet
- UKC Leonberger breed standard ukcdogs.comused for recognition, height, colours, temperament, lion crest fact
- The Royal Kennel Club: Leonberger royalkennelclub.comused for group, exercise, grooming, space, lifespan
- ShowSight Magazine: Leonberger showsightmagazine.comused for traits, exercise
- AKC: Leonberger akc.orgused for temperament
- Leonberger Club of America: A Brief History of the Leonberger leonbergerclubofamerica.comused for history, fun facts
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.