Leonberger

Your Leonberger is a giant breed and does well on any age-appropriate, high-quality dog food suited to their weight and any health concerns, and a large-breed formula can fit them well. As with any dog, monitor the amount of food and treats you give, since some dogs gain weight as they age. Every dog is different, so the calories needed to keep weight and health stable vary, and your veterinarian can provide feeding guidelines.

Leonberger puppies should eat a giant-breed puppy food. They need three or four smaller meals on a regular schedule until they reach 5 to 6 months old, then shift to twice-daily feedings, one in the morning and one in the evening.

Because Leonbergers are susceptible to bloat and GDV, take precautions at feeding time:

• Do not feed the entire daily allotment at once.
• Do not use elevated food bowls.
• Avoid exercise right before and after mealtimes.

Many giant-breed diets include vitamins and nutrients that support joint health, along with heart-supporting ingredients such as taurine and L-carnitine. Joint supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin can help; start these once your dog reaches full adult size. Talk with your vet before giving these or any other supplements to your pet.

Leonbergers shed a lot, and twice a year they shed even more. Brush your Leo every day, paying close attention to the areas that mat: the long hair behind the ears, the backs of the legs, the undercarriage, and the chest. Daily brushing keeps the coat healthy and removes loose hair.

Do a more thorough grooming once a week, and given the breed's size, plan for it to take time. Use a metal comb and an undercoat rake to work out the shorter, fluffier undercoat, and a pin brush and a slicker brush to neaten the thick outer coat. Leonbergers also need regular bathing, typically every two to four weeks.

Trim a Leo's nails every other week. Clean the ears every two to three weeks with a veterinarian-approved product that contains a drying agent, since floppy ears and a tendency toward allergies make ear care important. Watch for redness, discharge, pain, and itching, which can signal an ear infection, and see your vet if you notice these signs.

Leonbergers need regular dental care, including at-home teeth brushing and professional cleanings. Eye care is minimal because the facial hair is short and tear staining is light. Because the breed is prone to cataracts as it ages, watch for cloudy eyes or progressive sight changes. If an individual Leonberger has skin allergies or is older, a veterinarian may decide whether to add a supplement to that dog's diet.

The Leonberger is a large breed that needs space to roam and play, so a small city apartment or suburban lot may not suit it. A large yard with a tall, strong fence gives a Leonberger room to run.

Adults are generally calm and do not bark or dig much, but they still need vigorous exercise once a day, and puppies and adolescents have even more energy to expend. Adult dogs do well jogging or hiking with their owner or keeping pace alongside a bicycle, and they are strong swimmers.

Because these are working dogs, drafting (pulling a cart) and agility training are good ways for a Leo to get the activity they need and the job they enjoy. This kind of work also gives them mental engagement.

Leonbergers need a lot of interaction with people and do not do well when left alone for long periods. They prefer near-constant attention and belong in a home of homebodies, with a loving, attentive family willing to exercise and groom their dog every day.

Leonbergers are very large and strong, and a Leo is probably stronger than their owner and may even outweigh them, so proper training is essential and they must learn to do what you ask. Socialize Leo puppies by gently exposing them to a wide range of people, animals, and settings before the age of 20 weeks.

Leonbergers are eager to please, intelligent, and quick to learn. Group obedience classes help them develop good manners. Despite their independence, they respond well to consistent, repetitive, positive training with experienced owners or professional trainers familiar with the breed.

Leonbergers are loving and playful with those they trust. They are good with children, amenable to other dogs, and welcoming to strangers when well-socialized, and they do well in homes with or without kids and other pets. Keep in mind that no matter how much training they have, they may become destructive if left alone too long.