A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO OWNING A LEONBERGER
All that said, Leonbergers are a truly wonderful breed. Yes, they shed (a lot). And yes, they take a long time to mature. And yes, they will think for themselves sometimes. And yes, they can have stub- born moments. But they have soul, and they are generally wonder- ful therapy dogs, and they generally prefer to be with their people over being alone. Their soulful, dark eyes will draw you in. Properly raised, trained, and socialized, they are a wonderful addition to the right household. And at this point, I will add a personal note from my own experi- ence. Some years ago, I had my fifth Leonberger at an AKC show in Fredericksburg, Virginia, as we were working on finishing his grand champion title. A family arrived at that show to meet some of the breeds they were considering as a companion for their special needs daughter. When they entered the building, my Leonberger boy made a beeline to their daughter in her wheelchair, and he bonded with her immediately. I was deeply touched when, years later, they told me that it was because of him that they went on to have Leonbergers. Many of that dog’s offspring became therapy and/or service dogs. If you can handle the shedding and the size, and the sometimes bumpy adoles- cent phase, this breed is truly a delight. A last note: If you got your puppy during the COVID pandemic and were unable to do the proper amount of socialization due to shut- downs, just know that it’s not too late. But it is still important to get it done. If you need help finding venues for socialization, contact your breeder and your local Leonberger club.
Here’s a little detail about the scent of a female in heat that you may not have known. That scent can travel for miles in the air. Miles. Let that settle in for a moment. It means that your boy dog can detect a bitch in heat miles away. They can certainly detect that scent within a dog show building, let alone within the confines of a dog show ring. And while some companion events do not allow bitches in heat to be on the grounds, conformation shows do allow it. They may even be in the ring with your dog for Best of Breed. Your usually chill Leonberger may behave differently in that situation. Just be aware of this, and be proactive. For owners of intact females, there are a few considerations as well. Do not park in a ringside chair with your standing-heat female, as this can cause the atmosphere of the males in the ring to change. It is generally expected that you will not bring your in-heat female ringside until immediately before you go in the ring. Do not wander/mingle in the ringside traffic with your dog on a pet collar and a six-foot lead. Understand that the smell of hormones in the air can and will change the behav- ior of other Leonbergers that might have gotten along just fine in other situations. And when a Leonberger, as big as they are, loses his mind for a moment and roars or postures, it is loud and attracts attention. And as natural as it might be, we do not want this to happen at shows. Consult your breeder or trainer for ways to keep on top of this without being tense yourself.
BIO Shannon White grew up with dogs but got her first Leonberger in 1997. With her Leos, she has participated and/or titled in obedience, rally, agility, tracking, water rescue, carting, and freestyle. She has been a class instructor in multiple training facilities over the years, and was a certified professional trainer specializing in dogs with remedial behavior problems and bite histories. Shannon has served as the working dog editor of the LeoLetter for many years. She is an approved BACL examiner, and has judged sweeps and matches for the LCA, including a recent Top 20 judging assignment. She is the current Leonberger columnist for the AKC Gazette, and willingly contributes her time and energy to the LCA whenever possible. Shannon created and still helps to monitor the Raw Fed Leonberger page on Facebook, and she continues to handle Leonbergers on a limited basis in the show ring. Shannon is also an ARRT certified Radiologic Technologist in both Radiography and Computed Tomography.
258 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MAY 2022
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