Leonberger Breed Magazine - Showsight

ters. At least fi fteen percent of North Amer- ican Leonbergers participate in animal- assisted therapy. Many have received the coveted LCA Th erapy Award demonstrat- ing that they have provided over 50 hours of service in medical or educational facilities. While Leonbergers were proving them- selves to be exceptional health providers, Leonberger people, especially in America, were responding in turn.

Gesundheit! (German for Good Health)

Eight Leonberger pioneers united in the 1980s and founded the independent Leonberger Club of America (LCA), with its own Registry, and the ability to enforce the most stringent breeding regulations on the continent. For over two decades, they carefully grew the breed to number approximately 3000 ideal companions. LCA members are especially diligent about retaining breed health. When genet- ic mutations causing Addison’s Disease and Leonberger Polyneuropathy (LPN) crept into the breed, they eliminated the former by selective controlled breed- ing. Now, as the Leonebrger Parent Club within the AKC, the LCA works closely with America’s Leonberger Health Foun- dation and the Canine Health Foundation to eliminate both LPN and the cancers that are the major killers of so many dogs. Since 2000, Leonberger owners through the Foundation have raised and distributed over $250,000.00 for canine research. One hundred-sixty years of e ff ort on the part of dedicated, passionate breeders and owners has fashioned one of the world’s healthiest, happiest, and most companion- able of breeds. BIO Th is article is based on excerpts from Caroline Bliss-Isberg’s forthcoming book, “ Th e Leonberger: A Complete Guide to the Lion King of Breeds”. Caroline is a past President of the Leonberger Club of Amer- ica and currently serves as a Director of the Leonberger Health Foundation. Over twenty-five years she has loved nothing more than being surrounded by Leonberg- ers and the wonderful people who choose to live with them.

A few Leonberger elites showing their stuff in agility, water work, dock jumping and herding.

A Leonberger doing one of things they do best—help children learn to read in the READ canine therapy program.

Good Sports & Willing Workers As models of moderation, no Leonberg- er trait or instinct is so highly developed as to thrust Leos into the realm of the elite levels of any canine sport or working event. Th ey have to work much harder to excel than most of their competitors. Leonbergers may not have been bred for sport, but there is no doubt they are good sports. When Leonberger people decide to pursue a canine work or sporting activity, their dogs are right alongside them giving their all with customary enthusiasm, willing- ness and a bit of goo fi ness thrown in for good measure. All that matters to most Leonberg- ers is that they are included in the fun. Although Leos were not bred for any speci fi c working task, the FCI and the

AKC classify Leonbergers as working dogs. In America, however, Leonbergers live up to that label. Th ey have earned titles in agility, obedience, drafting, dock jumping, fl y ball, rally, and water work. Leos especially enjoy drafting. Several Leonbergers help their families by hauling 40 pound sacks of their own kibble from their cars to their homes, or by carting their family’s recycling to the road for pick up. Th ey also willingly share the load on backpacking and mountain climbing trips. Where working Leonbergers truly and naturally shine, is in all aspects of Animal Assisted Th erapy. Leonbergers throughout the world, and especially in North America, provide support and a healing presence in schools, hospitals, nursing homes and shel-

218 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , F EBRUARY 2014

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