Leonberger Q & A Members of the LCA are like their dogs, friendly, always willing and able and great source for support. What is the most surprising aspect of the breed’s personality? My dog, Carter, has a great sense for children. It’s amazing watch- ing him with them. He actually will get down to their level if they are small, his way of telling them he loves them. Carter has been known to literally kneel down and crawl over to toddlers. Quite amazing to watch! Georgia, she’s very sweet and loyal. They imme- diately bonded and are best friends. How does living with a large dog jive with the current trend to downsize human housing? Leos definitely need lots of room and exercise. Not a dog for apartment living unless they go everywhere with you. At what age do I choose a show prospect? Usually before puppies are chosen for their new homes, an LCA member friend will come and help determine which puppies are show quality at eight weeks. Some breeders will have show homes waiting and will keep their picks until the age of four to six months to determine if the are of a “special” quality. It’s very breeder specific. My favorite dog show memory? I have two. Carter, CH Sir Carter Leon, A Clement Gentleman, THDN, CGC, finishing under Mr. Jim Owens at the AKC National Leonberger Specialty as “Winners Dog” this year in Estes Park, Colorado. We are very grateful to Amanda Shea, Alberto Montila and Rachel Adams for their amaz- ing handling skills and to Jim Owens for the special placement. Georgia, GCH CH Sweet Smell of Success, CGC finishing her Grand Championship at Woofstock this year at 14 months of age. Leonbergers capture your heart once you own one. They love the water and are very versatile in their abilities. A short lifespan is the biggest down fall of a Leonberger. Choosing a reputable breeder is most important, as any reputable breeder breeds for quality of health first. ALIDA GREENDYK I have lived in New Jersey
Over the years I have always found Leonberger people to be united in their deep love of the breed. The Leonberger community often works together, and often help each other out with handling, grooming tips, and even puppy referrals. Despite their size, Leonbergers are surprisingly agile and light on their feet! I have had several dogs that are almost catlike in their ability to jump with ease onto things such as the grooming table. Leonbergers are very adaptable to the different lifestyles of their families, and they can do very well in this time of downsized hous- ing. I have several families living in apartments in NYC who have Leonbergers from me, and they live happy and fulfilled lives. With proper exercise some Leonbergers can live in a fairly small space. Because Leonbergers are happiest when with their humans, they adapt to their human’s lifestyle. If it’s a day indoors watching TV, a Leo is content to lie quietly all day and sleep, and they are equally happy to go on a long walk the next day. Because my puppies go to their new homes at 8 weeks old, I make final decisions on show prospects at seven to eight weeks of age. I prefer to make my final choices as close to 8 weeks as possible as they can change a great deal from seven weeks to eight weeks. My favorite dog show memory is an easy one...in 2016 my male Dario (GCHG Khaimas’ From Me to You) won the breed at West- minster, and proceeded to entertain the crowd in the Garden dur- ing the Working Group judging by leaping up and down next to the handler and trying to pick his pocket! He earned the nickname of the “tricks, no treats” Leonberger and the video of his antics went viral. It earned the two of us an appearance on Good Morning America a few days later. I have owned and loved Leonbergers for 30 years and I am com- pletely addicted to them! I have looked at and admired other breeds, but have never been tempted to own one, as I will be a lifelong Leo lover! LINDA SEBASTIANI I am an AKC Breeder of Merit, I have been breeding for approx- imately 15 years. I have produced many, many Champions and Grand Champions. I live in Orangevale, California. I am retired and outside of dogs I quilt and do art and craft work. Do people on the street or at the vet recognize the breed? More and more often folks are beginning to recognize the breed, but they still seem to be a show stopper for many folks. Do I find fellow Leo lovers to be cooperative when it comes to breeding, showing and helping fellow breeders to place pups? Yes, we have a very large, very strong “family” community of Leo peo- ple. Hence our motto, “Great Dogs, Great People.” What is the most surprising aspect of the breed’s personality? Leos are uncannily intuitive. I tell people that and they will say “Oh, my dog was that way,” and then they get a Leo and will call me and say, “I had no idea!” One puppy person told me, “I never knew I was adopting a roommate.” How does living with a large dog jive with the current trend to downsize human housing? I find Leonbergers very adaptable to
for the past 20 years, and have been breeding Leonbergers for 25 years. Besides show- ing, grooming and training my dogs, I enjoy gardening (with occasional help from my Leonbergers ), reading, and cooking. I have had Leonbergers for 30 years, and when I had my first Leonberger the breed was never recognized or known when we were out in pub-
lic. I was always asked what mix of breeds my dog was. There is a marked increase in the number of people who recognize my dogs as Leonbergers, either at the vet, at the park, or the pet store. About half of those I encounter either recognize the breed or the name of the breed.
“Despite their size, Leonbergers are surprisingly agile and light on their feet! I have had several dogs that are almost catlike in their ability to jump with ease onto things such as the grooming table.”
330 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , S EPTEMBER 2019
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