Leonberger

These fluffy Newfoundland-like puppies start out very small but grow swiftly.

Nineteenth-century Leonberg, Germany, town councilor Heinrich Essig, a devoted dog breeder, wished to develop a breed resembling the lion depicted in the town emblem. Ultimately, the breed was created by mating a Newfoundland and a Saint Bernard kept in the namesake monastery, and then a dog from that litter was bred to a Great Pyrenees.

These leonine dogs were sold to world leaders such as Napoleon III and Otto von Bismark, and eventually they spread out, albeit thinly, all over the world. After World War I, however, only five Leonbergers were alive, but they were treasured, and effort were made to multiply the breed. World War II deal another blow to the number of these dogs, however, and only 8 survived. It took another 25 years to revive the breed.

These tranquil, obedient dogs seldom bark, love to be around people, and are good with children. Nonetheless, they can become too powerful to control, so good training is essential. They need lots of exercise.

Their gorgeous, water-repellent coat (they have webbed toes and are excellent swimmers) requires daily brushing, especially during the shedding season, when dead hair should be carefully removed.

Origin: Germany
Size: (male) Height 30-32 inches; weight about 89 pounds
(female) same
Coat: Long and flat; undercoat is dense. Rich feathering on tail. Colors include lion gold, red, reddish brown, sand (fawn cream), and combination of these colors; mask is black.