St. Bernard vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

St. Bernard vs Leonberger - Breed ComparisonLeonberger is originated from Germany but St. Bernard is originated from Switzerland. Leonberger may grow 9 cm / 4 inches higher than St. Bernard. Leonberger may weigh 13 kg / 28 pounds lesser than St. Bernard. Both Leonberger and St. Bernard has same life span. Leonberger may have more litter size than St. Bernard. Leonberger requires Moderate Maintenance. But St. Bernard requires High Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
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Germany
Switzerland
Height Male:
65 - 80 cm
25 - 32 inches
63 - 71 cm
24 - 28 inches
Height Female:
65 - 80 cm
25 - 32 inches
60 - 69 cm
23 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
40 - 77 kg
88 - 170 pounds
54 - 90 kg
119 - 199 pounds
Weight Female:
40 - 77 kg
88 - 170 pounds
52 - 85 kg
114 - 188 pounds
Life Span:
8 - 10 Years
8 - 10 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 14
4 - 9
Size:
Giant
Giant
Other Names:
Gentle Leo, Leo, Gentle Giant
St. Bernhardshund Bernhardiner Alpine Mastiff (archaic)
Colors Available:
sandy or yellowish, tan, Reddish-brown
redish- Brown and white with a black mask to blond and white with black mask
Coat:
Thick double-coat - straight or wavy
rough or smooth
Shedding:
Moderate
Constant
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Protective, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
High Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

leonbergerHailing 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.

st bernardThe St Bernard breed was once called the Alpine Cattle Dogs or the Alpine Mountain Dogs. They have always been farm dogs and mountain dogs in the French and Swiss Alps. They come from the border land of Switzerland and France. They were herding dogs, hunting, search and rescue, watchdogs and draft dogs.

Their ancestors are considered to include the Sennenhunds and molosser breeds that came to the Alps with the ancient Romans. There are four Sennenhund breeds that are believed to have contributed to the original St. Bernard. These included the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund), the Appenzeller (Appenzeller Sennenhund), the Bernese Mountain Dog (Berner Sennenhund) and the Entlebucher Mountain Dog (Entlebucher Sennenhund) Today the St. Bernard is considered a Molossoid breed.

The first we know of the St. Bernard in any written records was in 1707 at the Great St. Bernard Pass and Great St. Bernard Hospice run by monks. There were found paintings of the dogs dating back into the late 1600’s. It is told that Barry saved upward of 100 people in the St. Bernard pass, and it is from these stories that the dogs gained their snow rescue reputation.

The St. Bernard of that time did not look like the St. Bernard does today as there was much crossbreeding. Many dogs dies during rescues in the avalanches of the mid 1800’s and so they Saint was crossed with the Newfoundland to preserve the breed. You can today see the resemblance in the build and looks of the two breeds. This cross brought about the long haired St. Bernard whose fur was too heavy for rescues.

The St. Bernards of mountain rescue fame were only about the size of a German Shepherd dog and were short haired. After crossing with the Newfoundland and moving into clubs and dogs shows, they have been bred to be much larger. Before the stud book was closed, it is thought that many larger breeds such as the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, the English Mastiff, the Tibetan Mastiff, the Rottweiler, the Great Pyrenees, the English Bulldog, the Great Dane, the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Boxer and the Caucasian Oycharka all contributed to today’s St. Bernard.

In 1884 The Swiss St. Bernard Club was founded and the breed entered the Swiss Stud book as its first entry in 1884. It was 1888 when the standard was approved and the breed became the national dog of Switzerland. Before the name St. Bernard came to be common, these dogs might be called, Barry Dogs, Alepnmastiff, Noble Steeds or Saint Dogs.

The dogs came to England in the early 1800s and to the United States soon after. They were recognized by the European kennel clubs first and by the early 1900’s they were the most popular breed in the AKC.

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.

st bernard puppy - descriptionToday’s St. Bernard is not a large dog, he is a giant dog. Weighing in at 140-200 pounds and standing 28 to 35 inches tall, he is a lot of dog. Bred with mastiffs and large mountain dogs, they have proportional and powerful build. They are strong, sturdy and well muscled. They have either a smooth or rough (short or long) coat. Their eyes are brown or occasionally blue. They have tight lids, and square heads and muzzles.

There are two coat types called smooth and rough, or short and long. The smooth shorter coat is tough, flat and close against the body and the long, rough coat is dense, wavy and heavy around the legs, neck and ruff. Both types have long tails that hang low and are heavy. Saints are known to slobber, drool and snore.

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.

1Children friendliness excellent

2.Special talents tracking

st bernard dog - characteristics3.Adaptability no - these are giant dogs that need a lot of room. A large fenced yard or farm is best. They won’t do well in an apartment. They need exercise every day and loping around a yard is very good for them. They love to play in the snow, carry a backpack or pull a cart. They love to have a “job”

4.Learning ability – They are smart and highly trainable if motivated. They may appear lazy but they are just laid back and need a motivation.

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.

st bernard puppies - health problemsThe first problem this breed faces is how fast they grow and gain weight. This can lead to serious health issues if not controlled. Their bones can be damaged by this excessively fast rate of growth. Other issues facing the breed include:

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia – can cause arthritis and lameness.
  • Bloat – can be fatal if not treated immediately.
  • Bone Cancer or Osteosarcoma – tends to be fatal.
  • Entropion and Ectropion – eyelids turn in or out and can be corrected.
  • Epilepsy – controlled by medication
  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy – can be fatal.
  • Eczema – skin disease can be treated.
  • Be careful of extreme heat.

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.

st bernard dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy – You want to control their growth. Do not overfeed, and make sure they exercise but not too much. Feed a high quality large breed puppy food 3-4 X a day in small amounts.

2.Feeding the adult – The problem you face with he adult St. Bernard is the potential for Bloat. Don’t over feed. Don’t feed before or after strenuous exercise. Feed 2-3 X a day in smaller amounts to prevent Bloat. Feed a high quality breed specific food if possible or an extra large breed formula.

3.Points for Good Health stamina and strength in cooler weather.

4. Games and Exercises They need exercise but not as much as you might think. The St. Bernard is a laid back lumbering character so don’t over exercise her. They enjoy weight and cart pulling but they are not athletes who enjoy frisbee or agility. Search and rescue trials and tracking trials are perfect athletic endeavors for them.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Leonberger vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Leonberger vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Leonberger vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
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  5. Leonberger vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Leonberger vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Leonberger vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Leonberger vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Leonberger vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Leonberger vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Leonberger vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Leonberger vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Leonberger vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Leonberger vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Leonberger vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
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  17. Leonberger vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Leonberger vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Leonberger vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Leonberger vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Leonberger vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
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  25. Leonberger vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. St. Bernard vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. St. Bernard vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. St. Bernard vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. St. Bernard vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. St. Bernard vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. St. Bernard vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. St. Bernard vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. St. Bernard vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. St. Bernard vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. St. Bernard vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. St. Bernard vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. St. Bernard vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. St. Bernard vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. St. Bernard vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. St. Bernard vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. St. Bernard vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. St. Bernard vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. St. Bernard vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. St. Bernard vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. St. Bernard vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. St. Bernard vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. St. Bernard vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. St. Bernard vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. St. Bernard vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison