Leonberger vs King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Leonberger vs King Charles Spaniel - Breed ComparisonLeonberger is originated from Germany but King Charles Spaniel is originated from United Kingdom. Leonberger may grow 52 cm / 21 inches higher than King Charles Spaniel. Leonberger may weigh 69 kg / 153 pounds more than King Charles Spaniel. Leonberger may live 6 years less than King Charles Spaniel. Leonberger may have more litter size than King Charles Spaniel. Both Leonberger and King Charles Spaniel requires Moderate maintenance.

History

leonberger - historyHailing from Germany, and more specifically the city of Leonberg, the Leonberger is a giant dog breed.

A resident of Leonberg, Germany, was looking to develop a dog that resembled a lion and in 1846 it was announced that such a dog had been developed by crossing a Newfoundland, Saint Bernard and Pyrenean Mountain dog.

It was after 2010, when the Leonberger Club of America joined the American Kennel Club, that the strict breeding rules were no longer mandatory for all Leonbergers.

king charles spaniel - historyClassified as a toy breed, the King Charles Spaniel is a small, pure breed dog that originated in the United Kingdom. The dog was named after King Charles II of Britain.

The dog actually has quite a long, illustrious history. People mistake them for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, but they are 2 different breeds, just sharing the same coat colors.The King Charles Spaniel was crossbred with the Pug early in the 19th century to shorten the length of the dog's nose.

With a face similar to that of the Pug, it is thought that these toy spaniels may have originated in the Far East.The earliest recorded pictures of toy spaniels in England were in paintings of Queen Mary 1 and King Philip.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Toy dog
Origin:
Germany
United Kingdom
Height Male:
65 - 80 cm
25 - 32 inches
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
Height Female:
65 - 80 cm
25 - 32 inches
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
Weight Male:
40 - 77 kg
88 - 170 pounds
3 - 8 kg
6 - 18 pounds
Weight Female:
40 - 77 kg
88 - 170 pounds
3 - 8 kg
6 - 18 pounds
Life Span:
8 - 10 Years
10 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 14
2 - 6
Size:
Giant dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Gentle Leo, Leo, Gentle Giant
None
Colors Available:
sandy or yellowish, tan, Reddish-brown
reddish brown, black, White, tan
Coat:
Thick double-coat - straight or wavy
Long, wavy and silky
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

leonberger puppy - descriptionAs a giant breed, the Leonberger stands at between 65cm and 80cm in height. He weighs a hefty 40 – 77kg both males and females.

These dogs are described as being dimorphic. It means that there is quite a difference in the looks of the males and females, with the male dogs being heftier and larger than the females.

The head of the dog is large, he has almond-shaped, dark brown eyes and the ears are medium sized and floppy. The tail is long and he has webbed feet which makes him a good swimmer too.

The thick, double coat can be straight or wavy and comes in different colors such as reddish-brown, tan, sandy or yellowish and the hairs can be tipped with black. He sheds quite a bit so will need regular brushing.

The Leonberger can have between 6 – 14 puppies and these puppies are like big, fat, cuddly, fluffy teddy bears. Don’t be tempted to just buy one because of his wonderful looks because they turn out to be huge dogs that eat a lot and the coat can take quite a bit of effort to keep groomed.

Temperament:

Fondly referred to as the Leo, this giant beautiful dog is social and in spite of his size, he should never be left alone in the backyard for long periods of time. He needs to come indoors from time to time to enjoy some interaction with his human family.

He is a family dog, and with training and socialization, he becomes a well-rounded, confident, obedient pet, quiet and content and sensitive to his owner’s moods.

Even though he becomes a great family pet, you need to think twice before you decide to own one of these large dogs as he can be costly to feed.

king charles spaniel puppy - descriptionThe King Charles Spaniel is a medium sized dog that stands at roughly 23 – 28cm and weighs anything from 3 to 8kg. He is smaller than the Cavalier King Charles.

He has a long coat which can be white, black and tan or a reddish-brown color. He has a domed head with a short, turned up nose and 'squashed' face similar to the pug. The eyes are large and dark and also protruding. The ears are set low and are long and floppy and the tail, once docked, is now left long and feathery.

Temperament:

Friendly, while being somewhat reserved, the King Charles Spaniel is looked upon as a lap dog as he loves to spend time indoors with his human family.

He isn't particularly energetic, but will still need some exercise like ball games and going on a walk. With training and socialization he becomes quiet and obedient and is known as a popular therapy dog. They are kind and loving with kids and pets in the home.

Characteristics

leonberger dog - characteristicsDon’t be deceived by the looks of the big Leonberger because he isn’t aggressive, but quiet and calm. Large he may be, but he isn’t sluggish either and he will certainly require exercise such as a long, fairly lively walk every day.

They’re intelligent dogs too and respond well to socialization and training. He is a social dog and wants to enjoy plenty of interaction with his human family members.

These dogs are often used as rescue- and therapy dogs as they are so loving and sensitive. Give him lots of love and good care and you’re going to have the most wonderful pet that lives up to the saying – dogs are man’s best friend.

king charles spaniel dog - characteristicsYour King Charles Spaniel is such a joy to have in the home and because he is intelligent he will easily learn some simple commands too.

He wants to please you and be with you wherever you go. He is a social dog and thrives on your attention, and if you open your home and your heart to this sweet dog, you’re going to have a devoted, loving, loyal friend beside you every day.

Health Problems

leonberger puppies - health problemsLeonbergers are strong, generally healthy dogs. It is said that very large dogs like this don’t live as long as smaller dogs and they also face more health issues. Orthopedic issues such as hip dysplasia are more common with large breeds.

Hip Dysplasia:

An orthopedic problem like this is a misalignment of a joint. This large dog also tends to develop elbow dysplasia too. Fortunately today, hip- and elbow dysplasia is controlled because of efforts of breeders to have their Leonbergers screened.

Nonetheless it is important to know about this ailment. The word ‘Dysplasia’ is referring to an abnormality of development. With both hip- and elbow dysplasia, there is abnormal development of the joints, and osteoarthritis can build up, causing lameness for your giant canine.

Cancer:

Cancer is sadly a leading cause of death in dogs over the age of 10 years. Lymphoma is a blood-related cancer – a tumor of the lymph nodes. Dogs can develop different forms of lymphoma. The warning signs are a lump or a wound that won’t heal, swelling in the bone and abnormal bleeding.

Luckily cancer is very treatable in dogs, but you need to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

Eye Problems:

king charles spaniel puppies - health problemsThe eye problems that you might need to know about with a King Charles Spaniel are entropian, cataracts and corneal dystrophy.

Heart Conditions:

Heart conditions could include mitral valve disease where the blood flows backwards through the chambers of the heart, leading to congestive heart failure.

Breathing Problems:

The King Charles Spaniel is a brachycephalic breed and these dogs can have upper airway problems. Breathing difficulties can also occur because of an abnormally small windpipe which is a characteristic common to brachycephalic breeds. You may notice rapid breathing with your dog , snoring, frequent panting, coughing and difficulty with swallowing.

Vet Checks:

As a dog owner, you have a responsibility to your pet. He will need to visit the veterinarian for all his puppy vaccinations as well as other vaccinations as an adult dog. He will also need to be de-wormed.

If you don’t want him or her becoming a parent, make sure your pet is neutered or spayed. If your pet is showing signs of an illness that he doesn’t get over quickly, get him immediately to the vet.

Caring The Pet

leonberger dogs - caringThat long coat of the Leonberger is going to require some brushing at least twice a week. He is also a moderate shedder and you want to get rid of all that loose hair and to keep him looking well groomed.

Diet:

A proper, nutritious diet is an essential part of having healthy, happy dogs and if you’re unsure about how to feed your giant pet, speak to your veterinarian.

The best diet for dogs is always very debatable, but essentially it needs to be kept simple. Try and invest in the very best commercially manufactured dog food for large breeds. Every dog wants a tasty home-made morsel from time to time. Add in cooked chicken, brown rice as well as cooked or raw vegetables. Raw meat can also be added in from time to time.

You want to avoid feeding the Leonberger puppy a high protein diet as this encourages rapid growth and you want to avoid that.

king charles spaniel dogs - caringYour King Charles Spaniel has a long, silky coat that will require brushing twice a week to control shedding and keep his coat free of matting.

His nails will also require regular trimming to ensure they don’t hook on anything. His long ears are also prone to ear infection, so be sure to check them inside and out for ticks and fleas and to also remove excess wax and dirt.

Teeth should also be regularly brushed with canine toothbrush and toothpaste.

Be sure to keep your King Charles Spaniel content and healthy by ensuring he goes on a long walk and that you play with him to build a strong bond between you and to ensure he doesn’t become bored.

Excellent, quality food is important for your spaniel. The best dog food manufacturers have age- and breed-specific formulas and there is the perfect one for your King Charles Spaniel. Homemade food is also excellent for this dog and you can add some cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables into his kibble as a nutritious treat.

Make sure your spaniel has a warm, dry, peaceful place to sleep and wash the bedding regularly to keep him healthy and happy.

Ensure he always has a cool, fresh bowl of drinking water nearby.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  2. Pomsky vs King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  3. Sakhalin Husky vs King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  4. Other vs King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  5. Olde English Bulldogge vs King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  6. Old English Bulldog vs King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  7. Schnauzer vs King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  8. Puggle vs King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  9. King Charles Spaniel vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  10. King Charles Spaniel vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  11. King Charles Spaniel vs American Pit Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  12. King Charles Spaniel vs Chow Chow - Breed Comparison
  13. King Charles Spaniel vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  14. King Charles Spaniel vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  15. King Charles Spaniel vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  16. King Charles Spaniel vs Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  17. King Charles Spaniel vs Dalmatian - Breed Comparison
  18. King Charles Spaniel vs Golden Doodle - Breed Comparison
  19. King Charles Spaniel vs Basset Hound - Breed Comparison
  20. King Charles Spaniel vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  21. King Charles Spaniel vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison
  22. King Charles Spaniel vs English Springer Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  23. King Charles Spaniel vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  24. King Charles Spaniel vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  25. King Charles Spaniel vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  26. Newfoundland Dog vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  27. Leonberger vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  28. Leonberger vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  29. Leonberger vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  30. Leonberger vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  31. Leonberger vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  32. Leonberger vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  33. Leonberger vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison
  34. Pyrenean Mastiff vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  35. Moscow Watchdog vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  36. Spanish Mastiff vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  37. St. Bernard vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  38. Moscow Water Dog vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  39. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  40. Leonberger vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  41. Leonberger vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  42. Leonberger vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  43. Leonberger vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  44. Leonberger vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  45. Leonberger vs Francais Blanc et Orange - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds