This blog feature amusing and heartwarming stories about our late Leonberger dog Bronco, as well as other Leonbergers. It also has a lot of information about the Leonberger breed, the history, care, training, Leonberger organizations, etc. I also wrote a Leonberger book, which I am featuring in the sidebar.
In the past I’ve made a few posts featuring 25 photos of Leonbergers around a certain theme. This is one more of those posts. This time it is photos of Leonbergers in nature, whether it is in a park, in our yard, on top of a mountain, swimming in a lake, a forest, etc. The first half of the photos are of our Leonberger Bronco or Leonberger photos by a friend. The second half of the of the photos are shutter stock photos. Below are the previous 25 photos of Leonbergers posts.
Our Leonberger Bronco at a park close to our house. On his right front leg there is missing hair from a surgery he had (toe amputation).Our Leonberger Bronco on our front lawn.Our Leonberger Bronco in the bushes.Our Leonberger Bronco is swimming in White Rock Lake nearby Dallas, Texas.Our Leonberger Bronco is standing in White Rock Lake nearby Dallas, Texas.Our Leonberger Bronco in the backyard. He was a saint.Amie, a female Swedish Leonberger on top of Skuleberget (Skull Mountain) in northern Sweden.Amie, a female Swedish Leonberger on top of Skuleberget in northern Sweden (Norrland).Amie and her owner had climbed the mountain.The view that we and Amie had from the top of Skuleberget in northern Sweden. The area is referred to as the High Coast.The Leonberger Digory with friends at the beach some years ago. Photo Jen O’Keefe.This photo was provided by Jen O’Keefe, Urgent Animal Care of Arlington. From left to right; Obi, Delfi, Aslan, Gryphon, Digory.Caspian (Obi’s nephew), Austin (Obi’s son), Delfi (our 10 yr old, living with lung cancer), Obi (now 7 and a veteran), Digory, and Rilian (Obi’s son). They all wish everyone a Very Happy New Year!! Photo by Velvy TheLion.Shutterstock-ID: 959582 by Ingvald Kaldhussater.Leonberger standing in snow. Shutterstock-ID: 705193912 by Eric Isselee.Leonberger puppy. My guess is that he is around two months old. Shutterstock-ID: 629624396 by TOM KAROLA.A majestic Leonberger. Shutterstock-ID: 731020957 by Peter Josto.Leonberger on the beach. Stock Photo ID: 1110805445 by Lolostock.Two Leonbergers swimming. Stock Photo ID: 1989806678 by Taibomaus.Sitting Leonberger. Shutterstock-ID:1333669760 by Britta Paasch.Sitting Leonberger. Shutterstock-ID:1333669760 by Britta Paasch.Leonberger and pug running in the snow. Shutterstock- ID:1659034960 by AnetaZabranska.A Leonberger puppy running in the snow. Shutterstock Stock Photo ID: 2056502327 by Nikky de Graaf.Two light colored Leonberger puppies playing. My guess is that they are three months old. Shutterstock-ID: 2141564415 by AnetaZabranska.A Leonberger puppy standing in the snow. Shutterstock Stock Photo ID: 2390810457 by VeronArt16.Leonberger standing in river. Photo by Stephanie Lucero on Unsplash.
Note, I am going to a CCL conference this weekend and the beginning of next week, so I will not be posting or do anything related to blogs for a while.
This is another post featuring 25 photos. This time it is photos of Leonbergers in the company of other dogs. Most of the photos are of our late Leonberger Bronco and the dogs he grew up with (our Labrador Baylor, German Shepherd Baby, Japanese Chin Ryu, Pug Daisy, and mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo). However, I have also included photos of other Leonbergers. A few photos from friends and two stock photos. I hope you will like them.
Baby (German Shepherd) is playing with our four months old Leonberger Bronco.Our Leonberger Bronco at the dog park at five/six months old. He is wearing a bandage on his knee because he got a condition from growing too fast. The two ladies are the owners of the little dog.Our five/six months old Leonberger is sniffing a dog at the dog park.Our not yet one year old Leonberger Bronco at the dog park. Bronco has not yet finished growing, he has not yet filled out and he is gangly. Not quite the Leonberger look yet. Our beige-brown Labrador Baylor can be seen in the background.Again our not yet one year old Leonberger Bronco at the dog park. Baylor in the background.Our not yet one year old Leonberger Bronco at the dog park with our German Shepherd Baby.Our Labrador Baylor behind our Leonberger Bronco at a dog park.Our old Labrador Baylor running behind our Japanese Chin Ryu at a dog park. Bronco is not in this photo, but he was there.Bronco our Leonberger once sniffed out an oncoming insulin shock in Baylor and alerted us. Bronco was a hero.Once when Bronco was not so well behaved. He pushed our German Shepherd into a storm drain and I had to get her out while holding onto an agitated Bronco. Illustration by Naomi Rosenblatt.Ten Leonberger puppies. My guess is that they are about two months old. Shutterstock-ID:561107710 by Akbudak Rimma.A Leonberger and a Pug running through the snow. Shutterstock-ID:1659034960 AnetaZabranska.Digory and Obi, two Leonbergers. Photo by Jen O’Keefe.Digory and Obi, two Leonbergers. Photo by Jen O’Keefe.Six Leonbergers from left to right: Caspian (Obi’s nephew), Austin (Obi’s son), Delfi, Obi, Digory, and Rilian (Obi’s son). Photo by Velvy TheLion.Our Leonberger Bronco with our Japanese Chin Ryu and our pug Daisy.Our Leonberger Bronco stole and smashed a gingerbread house. He shared some with his little pug sister Daisy.Our Leonberger Bronco with our Japanese Chin Ryu and our pug Daisy.Our Leonberger Bronco with our Japanese Chin Ryu and our pug Daisy.Our pug Daisy and our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo in the little bed and Bronco our Leonberger is lying on the floor.Our pug Daisy and our Leonberger Bronco is sharing the big red leather sofa, but Daisy decided Bronco took up too much room.Bronco and our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo.Bronco and our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo.Our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo is playing with Bronco’s tail. Bronco did not like it but tolerated it. Well, when Rollo was swinging in the tail it was a bit much.One day Bronco left us, leaving Rollo and Daisy behind. Illustration by Naomi Rosenblatt.
This morning at 10:20AM our pug Daisy died. She was 15 ½ years old. She had an enlarged heart, her back legs were giving out, and she had breathing problems. She took lots of different medications. Yet, the breathing crisis she had this morning came unexpectedly. Our veterinary told us it was time. We did not want her to suffer. I was holding her in my arms and my wife, daughter and doctor Sara Thomas petted her. Then when we were ready Dr. Thomas gave her the injections.
Daisy came to us a little pug puppy 15 ½ years ago. Our son David, eleven years old at the time, was holding her. Today I held her for the last time.
Daisy was a sweet, friendly and funny pug who loved cuddling, eating and sitting on the sofa. She also loved sunbathing as well as sitting in front of the vent when it was cold. All our dogs loved her, and our Leonberger Bronco saved her life once. He protected her from an attacking young German Shepherd. Our Labrador Baylor and our German Shepherd Baby loved her. Our Japanese Shin loved her more than anything. They were always together. They made mischief together, they escaped together, and they went for walks together and at the dog park Ryu wouldn’t let any other dog be too friendly with Daisy. Later, our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo loved her too. Unfortunately, Rollo is now alone. He is confused and sad like we are.
Rollo and Daisy in our red sofa. Rollo was one year old, and Daisy was 11 years old.
I wrote a poem in French, a language I am learning. I am not a poet. I think it is my first poem as an adult in any language. I chose French because everything sounds so much better in French. It rhymes/ I apologize for any errors.
Ce soir, il pleure dans mon coeur. (tonight, tear falls in my heart, pleure & coeur rhyme with fur)
Notre belle carline Daisy est mort (Our beautiful pug Daisy is dead)
Il est temps, dit notre docteur (It is time said our doctor)
Tu es parti dans un coup du sort (You are gone in a twist of fate)
Nous nous souviendrons toujours (we will always remember)
Ta gentillesse. Tes yeux aimants (Your kindness. Your loving eyes)
Tu auras pour toujours notre amour (You will forever have our love)
pour nous tu étais comme un enfant (to us you were like a child)
Below are two YouTube songs that express how I feel. The first one is in French “Je suis malade..” / I am sick without you, I am ugly without you, …. Warning this one is very sad. The second one is your love….to feel your love again… to feel you close once more… (no lyrics in song) by Ennio Morricone.
Je suis malade / I am sick … without you
to feel your love againDaisy on the sofa after an exhausting day of doing nothing.Our pug Daisy when she was young.Daisy our new pug puppy with our son David.Daisy liked to sit in front of the vent when it was cold or alternatively too hot.Daisy loved sunbathing.Daisy in sunglasses.Ryu and Daisy jumped into our suitcase to protest that we were leaving for a trip.Daisy is taking Ryu for a walk.Daisy sunbathing on our patio in the backyard.Daisy standing on our kitchen floor.Daisy on the red sofa.Once when we came home Daisy met us in the doorway with a tissue box over her head. She had gotten her head stuck in a tissue box.Daisy decided to leave because Bronco our Leonberger was taking up too much room.Daisy resting her head on Claudia’s knee.Bronco our Leonberger, Ryu our Japanese Shin, and then Daisy our Pug.Daisy’s 11th birthday.Daisy is sitting on our bed.Daisy and Rollo in the sofa.Our daughter is petting Rollo and Daisy.Daisy and Rollo barking at the mailman + a joke.Daisy’s 15th birthday.Towards the end of her life Daisy had to wear diapers with suspenders.Towards the end of her life Daisy had a hard time walking so she sat in a stroller during our walks.
With this reblog I just wanted to remind everyone that in Texas dogs can drive. If your dog does not have a driving license, please contact DMV and get him one.
Today is National Puppy Day. Therefore, I am posting 25 puppy photos. It is mostly Leonberger puppies but there are also puppy photos of some of our other dogs. Most of the photos in this post are mine but I am including a few Leonberger puppy photos from shutterstock. If you want to check out the Leonberger book I wrote click here, or look to the right if you are on a desktop or at the bottom if you are on a mobile.
Our Leonberger Bronco at three months old.Our Leonberger Bronco at three months old.Our Japanese Shin Ryu when he was young.Our son David with our pug Daisy when she was a puppy.Our son David is holding our pug Daisy when she was still a puppy (now she is 15 ½ years old).Two Leonberger puppies. Shutter stock Photo ID: 2294202331 by Olga Shusters.A Leonberger puppy running in the snow. Shutterstock Stock Photo ID: 2056502327 by Nikky de Graaf.A Leonberger puppy standing in the snow. Shutterstock Stock Photo ID: 2390810457 by VeronArt16.Another Leonberger puppy. Stock Photo ID: 561111403 by Akbudak Rimma.Ten Leonberger puppies. My guess is that they are about two months old. Shutterstock-ID:561107710 by Akbudak Rimma.Leonberger puppy. My guess is that he is around two months old. Shutterstock-ID: 629624396 by TOM KAROLA.Two light colored Leonberger puppies playing. My guess is that they are three months old. Shutterstock-ID: 2141564415 by AnetaZabranska.Our German Shepherd Baby playing with our 4 months old Leonberger Bronco.Our Leonberger Bronco about 9 months old is lying on his back on the floor.Bronco our Leonberger at the dog park. He is about one year old. He is maybe not a puppy but far from an adult. He is an adolescent, which is why he looks so thin and gangly. Our Labrador Baylor is in the background.Our Japanese Shin Ryu sleeping next to our pug Daisy.Our Japanese Shin Ryu licking our pug Daisy’s ear.The day we picked up our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo. He was nine weeks old. The other puppy is an English bulldog puppy.Our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo.Our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo.Our pug Daisy and our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo.Bronco and our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo.Bronco and our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo.Our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo playing with an orange ball.Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo is playing with our Leonberger Bronco’s tail. Once he even dangled in it like a swing.
Today we got a portrait of our late Leonberger Bronco framed. We received the portrait a few days ago. We got it framed at Fast Frame here in Dallas today. We got the conservation glass so that the portrait will last a very long time. The portrait was drawn by Veniceme at Etsy (Natasha Dall’Ara) and it is based on one of our photos. Below is a photo of Bronco’s Grey Muzzle Award on the right and the portrait is on the left.
Left : Hand painted portrait of Bronco by Veniceme / Natasha Dall’Ara at Etsy. Right Bronco’s Grey-Muzzle Award from LHFI.
Today is the two-year anniversary of my blog and this is the 215th post.
Shutterstock-ID: 959582 by Ingvald Kaldhussater
My blog is primarily about Leonbergers, an unusual and fascinating dog breed that is known for its size, affectionate nature, and intelligence. We were lucky enough to live with one for thirteen years. His name was Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle—but we called him “Bronco” for short. I also wrote a book about Leonbergers and about Bronco’s many adventures : The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle. If you are on a desktop computer you’ll see the book in the sidebar on the right, and if you are on a phone you have to scroll to the bottom of the page. If you still cannot see the book, you can click here.
Leonbergers love to swim and so did our Bronco. This post features 25 photos of Leonbergers in the water, which is why the title of the post is 25 Waterberger photos. Most of the photos are of our Leonberger Bronco in White Rock Lake in Dallas. He loved to chase ducks and egrets, but catching is difficult. In the end he had no egrets. One of the photos is from a friend and there are a few stock photos. If you want to see Leonberger puppy photos click here, and if you want to see another set of 25 Leonbergers click here, and here is yet another set of 25 Leonbergers.
Our Leonberger Bronco swimming in White Rock Lake.Bronco is standing in the water in White Rock Lake.Our Leonberger Bronco swimming in White Rock Lake.Our Leonberger Bronco in shallow water. Still White Rock Lake.Digory a Leonberger in the water. Photo by Jen O’Keefe.Young Bronco (maybe one years old) standing in a kiddie pool.Young Bronco standing in a kiddie pool.Bronco standing in White Rock Lake.Leonberger swimming with a ball. Stock Photo ID: 720242263 by Christian MuellerLeonberger on the beach. Stock Photo ID: 1110805445 by LolostockTwo Leonbergers swimming. Stock Photo ID: 1989806678 by Taibomaus.Leonberger standing in river. Photo by Stephanie Lucero on Unsplash.Our Bronco in a kiddie pool.Another photo of our Bronco in a kiddie poolBronco swimming in White Rock Lake, Texas.Another photo of Bronco swimming in White Rock Lake, Texas.Bronco standing in White Rock Lake, nearby Dallas, Texas.Bronco againBronco coming out of White Rock LakeBronco walking into White Rock LakeBronco coming back out of White Rock LakeBronco coming out of White Rock Lake on a different day.Bronco coming out of White Rock LakeBronco in White Rock Lake
Today, Tuesday, February 20, 2024, is National Love Your Pet Day. So, I thought I would show some photos of our current dogs and dogs from the past, naturally including our late Leonberger Bronco. I think the photos I am displaying show some of our love for them.
Our Leonberger Bronco when he was a three-month-old puppy.On the left our Labrador Baylor and on the right our German Shepherd Baby. Baby took care of and protected Bronco when he was a pup, just like a good mother.Our young Leonberger Bronco is giving me a hug.Our niece Jessica giving Bronco a kissOur Leonberger Bronco sitting in my wife Claudia’s lap. He was the perfect lap dog.Our Japanese Shin RyuOur mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo as a puppy.Our daughter petting Rollo and our pug DaisyOur pug Daisy’s 15th birthday.Rollo and Daisy own the best furniture.The 2019-2020 Grey Muzzle Awardees. Bronco is on the second row from the top and second from left. Click on the picture to visit the YouTube video. Bronco is at two minutes.
Video showing 32 2019 & 2020 Grey Muzzle Awardees (Leonbergers). Bronco at two minutes in.
My blog is primarily about Leonbergers, an unusual and fascinating dog breed that is known for its size, affectionate nature, and intelligence. I know a lot about Leonbergers because we were lucky enough to live with one for thirteen years. His name was Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle—but we called him “Bronco” for short. I also wrote a book about Leonbergers and about Bronco’s many adventures : The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle. If you are on a desktop computer you’ll see the book on the right, and if you are on a phone you have to scroll to the bottom of the page. You can also click here.
This post features 25 photos and illustrations. Most of the photos are of our Leonberger Bronco, a few are photos by friends and the illustrations were created by Naomi Rosenblatt. If you want to see another set of 25 Leonberger photos click here. If you want to see Leonberger puppy photos, then click here.
Our Leonberger Bronco at three months old.Bronco our Leonberger is swimming in White Rock Lake.Bronco is standing in the water in White Rock Lake.A Canadian Leonberger called Mak with my book. Photo by Debbie Ireland.Our Leonberger Bronco is sleeping on our big leather sofa.Bronco with our Pug Daisy. They were sharing the sofa until Daisy decided to move.Bronco is pulling our daughter along the ground as she is desperately trying to hold on to him. Illustration by Naomi Rosenblatt.Illustration showing Bronco running down the street while wearing a cast. He was not supposed to bump the cast. Illustration by Naomi Rosenblatt.Our Leonberger Bronco with two small dogs, our Japanese Shin Ryu and our pug Daisy.It is Bronco’s birthday.Digory and Obi two Leonbergers. Photo by Jen O’Keefe.Digory Jen O’Keefe’s Leonberger. Photo by Jen O’Keefe.Swimming time for Digory Jen O’Keefe’s Leonberger. Photo by Jen O’Keefe.Digory got bone cancer, had an amputation, and this photo is two years later. He lived long for a Leonberger with this condition. Here is with a Leonberger friend. Photo by Jen O’Keefe.Bronco our Leonberger is standing in front of our hallway. He is pretty old in this photo.Bronco in our front yard.Bronco saved our pug’s life. He is a saint.Bronco lived very long for a Leonberger. The typical lifespan is 8-9 years. The Leonberger Health Foundation International gives out a grey-muzzle award to Leonbergers who has lived 12 years or longer. Here Bronco is receiving his grey-muzzle award.The Grey Muzzle Award.Bronco and our pug Daisy.Bronco and our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo.A tornado ravaged our neighborhood. Several of our neighbor’s houses were destroyed. Our house stood but the chimney, roof, attic, garage, and fence were severely damaged. It was a tough time for Bronco. He had just had a toe amputation due to cancer; he had ulcerous sores on his foot, then came the tornado and less than a week later he had a heart failure. He is not in good shape in this picture.Bronco is walking around the house with his giant soft cone and pulling things off tables.One of the last photos of Bronco.We will always remember Bronco. Illustration by Naomi Rosenblatt.
First, check out my Leonberger book and consider purchasing it. It features amusing and amazing stories about our truly remarkable Leonberger Bronco, as well as information about Leonbergers. It is a great book for all dog lovers. All royalties/proceeds from sales are donated to the Leonberger Health Foundation International. To check out my book click on the book cover images on the right.
This post has 25 photos and illustrations. Most of the photos are of our late Leonberger Bronco (Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle) but there are also Leonberger photos by friends as well as a few Shutterstock photos. The illustrations are from my book. The illustrations for my book were made by Naomi Rosenblatt (I don’t know how to draw).
On the left our Leonberger Bronco three months old. On the right Bronco as an unusually old Leonberger at almost 13.Bronco our Leonberger is giving me a kiss. He is about one year old and not yet fully grown.Bronco’s direct ancestor on the male side Leo von der Sagmuhle in Germany about 100 years ago (18 generations).Our Leonberger Bronco sitting in my wife’s lap. He was 167 pounds at the time.Hachi a one-year-old Canadian Leonberger with my book. The owner and photographer is Brenda Saito and her husband.A majestic Leonberger. Shutterstock-ID: 731020957 by Peter Josto.Bronco is chasing off a peeping Tom who was terrorizing the women in the neighborhood including my wife. Illustration by Naomi Rosenblatt.Bronco’s puffy cheeks hold two hamsters he probably was trying to save. Illustration by Naomi Rosenblatt.Bronco accidentally pushed our German Shepherd Baby into a storm drain. I am trying to drag Baby out of the storm drain while holding Bronco as he is very excited about a dog across the street. Illustration by Naomi Rosenblatt.Leonberger puppy. My guess is that he is around two months old. Shutterstock-ID: 629624396 by TOM KAROLA.Our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo is biting Bronco’s tail. He even swung it in as if it was a swing.Bronco got into the kitchen, and he grabbed a gingerbread house. He and our pug Daisy are sharing the gingerbread house.Bronco is getting a bath in the kiddie pool.Leonberger standing in snow. Shutterstock-ID: 705193912 by Eric Isselee.Amie a Leonberger in Sweden who was at the top of a mountain that we hiked up to (Skule Berget). She must have been very athletic.Seven Leonbergers by the beach. Photo by Jen O’Keefe.Digory and Obi two Leonbergers. Photo by Jen O’Keefe.Five Leonbergers including Digory on 4th of July 2023. Photo by Jen O’Keefe.Bronco and Rollo our mini-Australian Shepherd.Close up of Bronco about 12 years old. Leonbergers typically live 8-9 years.Bronco our Leonberger kept following me around while he was recovering from a couple of sores that took a long time to heal. They get a very attached when they are not feeling well. Here he is barging into the bathroom. Rollo was terrified of the huge cone.Six Leonbergers and a birthday celebration. Photo by Jen O’Keefe.Sitting Leonberger. Shutterstock-ID:1333669760 by Britta Paasch.Leonberger and pug running in the snow. Shutterstock- ID:1659034960 by AnetaZabranska.Overview of the physical aspects of the Leonberger breed standard.