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.
Me and our Leonberger Bronco, my book about him, and other dogs are featured on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine as a Guest Post. The post described how Bronco (and the other dogs) influenced my life. Dogs and other pets can mean so much to us and reshape our lives. Please take a look.
I also would like to thank Alex Diaz-Granados for his wonderful review of my book. It is featured on Smorgasbord Magazine, so you can read it there, but you can also read it here on Amazon.
A professional content writer by the name of Ryan Goodchild contacted me about me posting a Leonberger related post he had written on my Leonberger blog, which I am certainly happy to do. The title is “How to Take Stunning Photos and Videos of Your Leonberger Dog”. I should mention that I used my Samsung Galaxy phone to take less than professional photos of our Leonberger. I’ve included a few photos of our Leonberger below, but most of the photos are from friends or stock photos. However, me not having many great photos that I took myself, won’t stop you from learning how to take great photos. See the article below. While Ryan did all the writing, I added photos.
The photo tile above includes three photos of our Leonberger Bronco. One from when he was a three months old puppy and one from when he was 12 years old, and in one photo our mini-Australian Shepherd is biting his tail. There is a shutter stock photo ID:731020957 by Peter Josto, a photo of a woman and her Leonberger dog, asset id: 1741753382 by Elena Podrezenko, and two photos showing Leonberger puppies with flowers, asset id: 561113224 and 561111403 by Akbudak Rimma and . The photo of five Leonbergers wearing patriotic hats lying on grass by a lake was taken by Jen O’Keefe, (from left to right; Obi, Delfi, Aslan, Gryphon, Digory). There is also a photo of six Leonbergers celebrating a birthday. That photo was also taken by Jen O’Keefe.
Leonberger dog owners who love Instagram dog photography often discover a frustrating truth: photographing large dog breeds is both deeply rewarding and deceptively hard. A Leonberger’s size, dark coat, and constant motion can turn sweet moments into blurry frames, while shedding, drool, and aging-pet sensitivities add real pet photography challenges. On top of that, Leonberger personality capture depends on comfort and timing, and anxious dogs read tension fast. With a few grounded principles and a supportive dog owner community mindset, those everyday moments can become images worth sharing.
Once you’ve nailed the basics, good light, a clean background, and a steady angle, you can make your Leonberger videos feel even more “finished” with a little AI help. AI-assisted editing can tighten the story in your raw footage, smooth over rough moments, and add subtle creative effects without requiring advanced skills. With an AI video generator, you can turn a simple clip into dynamic, engaging Instagram content by adding cinematic b-roll effects, smooth camera motion, and stylized visuals, all from a text prompt or existing footage. If you’re curious what that looks like in practice, explore tools designed for high-quality video generation.
These steps turn “hope for a good moment” into a simple routine you can repeat on walks, in the yard, or at home. You will set up your gear, pick flattering angles for a big fluffy dog, and use quick cues and rewards so your Leonberger looks engaged in both photos and video.
Stunning Leonberger photos and videos come from routines your dog can predict and you can repeat. These practices fit real life, so your handling, timing, and results improve week by week.
Big, dark-coated, fast-moving floof can make it feel like the camera never catches what makes a Leonberger so special. The steadier path is the mindset used throughout: simple, repeatable habits, scouting, small patience cues, and a light editing routine, supported by community support for dog photographers who trade tips and celebrate wins. With regular pet photo practice, confidence builds and more sessions end with sharp eyes, true color, and videos that match real-life charm. Consistency captures the Leonberger you love, even on ordinary walks. Pick one tip to try on the next walk, share one memorable dog image, and set a long-term pet photography goal worth revisiting. Those small choices preserve connection and joy, and they keep celebrating Leonberger beauty as a calm, lasting part of life.
Please take a look at Smorgasbord Blog Magazine’s feature of my super fact #19 “An account impersonating you on Facebook does not mean you have been hacked“, and my Leonberger Dog book “The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle”.
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This post features various photos or illustrations of Leonbergers with flowers. The second photo below is our late Leonberger Bronco in the tall grass plants at our in-laws and the rest of the pictures are pictures featuring Leonbergers with flowers that I generated using ChatGPT or Shutterstock photos with Leonbergers and flowers (I have a shutterstock account).
Please go and check it out. Thank you so much Sally.
It is very common for veterinarians, ASPCA and other animal welfare organizations to recommend that dogs be neutered or spayed between the ages 6-9 months or earlier. Their concern is chiefly to prevent unexpected pregnancies, which causes a lot of suffering and unnecessary euthanasia of dogs. However, not all dogs are the same and this is bad advice for many giant breeds, especially Leonbergers. Neutering or spaying too early can lead to serious health complications. Since the Leonberger community tries to prevent irresponsible dog owners from getting a Leonberger, unexpected pregnancies are less of a concern for Leonberger dogs.
We used to own a Leonberger dog, Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle, and our breeder recommended that we wait until he was at least two years old before neutering him. Many new Leonberger owners must sign a contract promising not to neuter the dog before the age of two. If you want to buy a Leonberger puppy in North America, you should buy the puppy from a breeder that is certified by the Leonberger Club of America (LCA) and to do that you need to go through an interview. You will have a hard time getting a Leonberger any other way.
I should explain that the Leonberger is a rare breed that is closely related to the Saint Bernard. Saint Bernards were used to create the Leonberger in the early 19th century and later it was the other way around when the Leonberger was used to save the Saint Bernard breed. Therefore, Leonbergers and Saint Bernards are genetically similar, they are about the same size, but they don’t look the same. Leonbergers have a characteristic black face while Saint Bernards have a white mask on their face. There are only about 30,000 Leonbergers in the world and only 2,000 Leonbergers in North America. Therefore, the Leonberger community is a small and tightknit community, and it is relatively easy for the Leonberger Club of America (LCA) to keep track of what is going on with the Leonberger dogs.
With this post I am giving advice and statements originating from various sources that I consider to be reputable such as AKC/club certified breeders of the specific breed in question, the corresponding breed organization/club, such as the Leonberger Club of America, and scientists in the specific field. In my experience veterinarians who care for all kinds of dogs and pets typically do not have knowledge that is breed specific on this issue. To be sure to do the right thing in regard to neutering and spaying your Leonberger, ask your LCA certified breeder.
When we got our late Leonberger Bronco (Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle) our breeder Julie Schaffert told us to wait with neutering him until he was two years old if possible. Julie Schaffert has been an LCA (Leonberger Club of America) certified breeder since 1992 and is arguably the most prominent Leonberger breeder in North America. After reading a Leonberger book that incorrectly stated that Leonbergers should be neutered at six months, I sent her this question:
Hello Julie, I hope all is well with you and your Leonbergers. I am currently reading a Leonberger book by Vanessa Ritchie. I’ve read dozens of Leonberger books. It is a very good Leonberger book. However, in the middle of page 30 she is saying something that concerned me. She is saying to neuter/spay your Leonberger at 6 months old. I remember you telling us to wait with ours and we waited until significantly passed one years old. Assuming that is correct, this mistake needs to be pointed out and perhaps corrected. Before saying anything, I wanted to make sure that is correct, that spaying/neutering at 6 months old is indeed too early for a Leonberger.
Thank you for any help
Happy New Years
Thomas Wikman
This was her answer
Happy new year. Yes, it’s now recommended that giant dogs not be neutered or spayed until after 2 years. In the old days it was recommended earlier, any time after 6 months. All the new data says wait.
Julie.
The reasons we did not wait the entire two years was that our veterinarian at the time wanted to do it sooner and Bronco was dragging furniture around the house because of his excess energy. He was strong, and big, energetic and a bit restless. He was very friendly and harmless, but he had a lot of energy. Perhaps he should have been a home decorator? I should say that knowing what we know now, we would have waited the entire two years.
This is an article from the AKC stating that a larger or giant breed may need to wait until they are near or over 12-18 months of age before neutering or spaying. The article also provides the following interesting information.
Research conducted by the University of California – Davis reveals that for some dog breeds, neutering and spaying may be associated with the increased risks of certain health conditions such as joint disorders including hip or elbow dysplasia, cranial cruciate rupture or tear, and some cancers, such as lymphoma, mast cell tumor, hemangiosarcoma, and osteosarcoma. The research conclusions are not surprising. Sex hormones are important in the development of any animal. We know they affect psychological development as well as the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and the immune system.
I believe this is the University of California – Davis article in question. It is from 2020. Notice that the suggested guidelines for age of neutering is beyond 23 months for several of the giant breeds in the table of 35 breeds. Also notice that the table does not include Leonbergers.
Below is a list featuring the recommended ages for neutering and spaying for selected dog breeds based on the research mentioned above.
Hillhaven Leonbergers in Ireland recommend not neutering your Leonberger until at least 2 years of age. They warn against doing it at 6 months old, despite what some veterinarians may recommend.
I did not find an on-line Leonberger Club of America recommendation but this old 2011 article from the Leonberger Club of America states: Because the Leonberger is a slow maturing breed in general, most breeders will ask puppy owners to wait a year or so before altering their puppies, to allow bones to develop more fully.
I did find an article from the Saint Bernard Club of America. The Saint Bernard is genetically similar to the Leonberger. This article states: Above all, no giant breed puppy should be altered before the growth plates in the bones have matured and closed, usually between 15 and 24 months of age.
This Newfoundland dog magazine states : Currently, the recommended age that a Newfoundland dog should be neutered is 18 to 24 months due to the possible health problems that can arise from altering before that age. The Newfoundland is another dog that is genetically similar to the Leonberger.
So, in conclusion, even though the expert advice regarding neutering and spaying varies a bit, it is clear that neutering and spaying at six months old is too early for Leonbergers and many other giant breeds. It can harm their Leonberger.
Thomas Wikman is a retired software / robotics engineer with a background in physics. He has a PhD in Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering. He is the author of two blogs, first this blog Leonberger Life which is focused on a rare but amazing dog breed called Leonberger. He has also written a book titled The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle, which feature his Leonberger’s crazy adventures as well as information about the Leonberger breed and how to care for giant dog breeds. His second blog superfactful , is a fun but educational blog that is focused on finding facts that are important and yet surprising or disputed by people who are not well informed on the topic. This blog features myth busting as well as facts that will blow your mind.
This is a guest post written by Ryan Goodchild. He emailed me asking me if he could publish this post regarding becoming a first time Leonberger Owner . I said yes. See his post below.
Owning a Leonberger isn’t just about bringing home a dog—it’s about welcoming a gentle, giant-hearted companion whose loyalty and calm strength will shape your days for years to come. These majestic dogs, known for their intelligence and deep affection, can be both a joy and a challenge for first-time pet owners. This guide will help you understand what to expect and how to set yourself—and your Leonberger—up for success.
Leonbergers are affectionate, patient, and famously good with children. Originally bred as family and working companions, they balance strength with serenity. However, their intelligence means they need mental stimulation and clear boundaries; without it, boredom can lead to destructive behavior.
Leonbergers grow rapidly and live, on average, 8–9 years. Their size makes them prone to joint, heart, and bone issues, so proactive care is crucial.
Here’s a snapshot of what to focus on:
| Concern | What to Watch | Preventive Actions |
| Hip & Elbow Dysplasia | Limping, stiffness | Keep weight balanced, feed joint-support diets |
| Bloat (Gastric Torsion) | Restlessness, distended belly | Feed smaller meals, avoid heavy exercise after eating |
| Heart Conditions | Fatigue, coughing | Annual cardiac exams |
| Cancer (esp. bone) | Sudden lameness or pain | Regular vet visits and early screening |
A small apartment won’t do—Leonbergers need space to stretch, play, and move freely. A secure, fenced yard is ideal. Indoors, they’ll happily curl up near you, but their size means you’ll need to Leonberger-proof your space.
Leonbergers have a double coat that requires regular maintenance. Weekly brushing helps, but during shedding season, daily sessions are best. Baths every 6–8 weeks will keep their coat clean and odor-free.
Before shedding season hits, stock up on these essentials:
Keeping up with grooming not only reduces hair around the house but also strengthens your bond with your dog.
First-time owners often underestimate the amount of documentation involved—vaccination records, microchip details, adoption papers, and vet receipts. To make things easier, convert documents to PDF and store them digitally.
Using a reliable online tool lets you organize every file in one place, ensuring quick access during vet visits or emergencies.
Creating a labeled folder for your Leonberger’s records—medical, training, and nutrition—will save time and prevent misplaced paperwork later.
Leonbergers are highly trainable but easily bored by repetition. Their size makes obedience a must—start early, keep sessions short, and make them engaging. Reward-based methods build trust faster than dominance-based tactics.
Leonbergers are eager to please and thrive when training feels like teamwork rather than command and control.
Owning a Leonberger for the first time is as rewarding as it is demanding. Before bringing one home, make sure you can check most of these boxes:
Here are some of the most common concerns new owners have—answered clearly and concisely.
1. How much exercise does a Leonberger need?
At least an hour a day of moderate activity is ideal. Puppies should avoid high-impact exercise until growth plates close (around 18 months) to protect joints.
2. Are Leonbergers good with other pets?
Yes. They’re naturally tolerant, but early introductions and supervised interactions are important, especially with smaller animals they could accidentally knock over.
3. How expensive are they to maintain?
Expect higher costs than smaller breeds. Quality food, grooming, and vet care can average $2,000–$3,000 annually—not including emergencies or travel crates.
4. Do they drool?
Some do, especially after drinking water. Keep absorbent towels handy near their bowls or favorite resting spots.
5. What should I look for in a breeder or adoption center?
Choose one that conducts health testing for hips, eyes, and heart, and offers transparency about lineage. Ethical breeders prioritize temperament and health over appearance.
6. Can Leonbergers live in warm climates?
Yes, but with precautions—limit outdoor activity in high heat, provide ample shade and water, and avoid midday walks.
Becoming a Leonberger owner means embracing responsibility and reward in equal measure. These dogs will fill your home with love, hair, and joy—often in that order. Plan carefully, train consistently, and nurture their gentle nature with patience and respect. The more you invest in understanding your Leonberger, the more they’ll return in loyalty and affection that few breeds can match.
Whether this is your first pet or your first giant breed, remember: structure and affection go hand-in-hand. With preparation and heart, your Leonberger won’t just live with you—they’ll thrive because of you.
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With this post I wanted to remind everyone that dogs are family, and we should not forget that during the holidays, you should give them extra cuddles and some presents and let them participate in the festivities if possible.
First, I wanted to say a few words about the latest addition to our family, our first grandson Jack. Our oldest son Jacob and his wife Ashley live in Baltimore, Maryland, and their son Jack is three months old. We’ve visited him a few times since his birth and these pictures are from our latest visit about a week ago. Jack is a healthy and happy baby who does a lot of cooing. See the photos below and the short video.
I did not grow up with dogs, and I was not even particularly fond of them, and then when we got our first family dog, the yellow Labrador Baylor, I really got to know and love dogs, and it changed my life. Now, I think I love dogs more than people. Well, at least I have learned that dogs are wonderful people. They always come with us to gatherings whenever possible and they got along very well. Our latest dog Rollo loved his sister Daisy and his big brother Bronco but he has a hard time tolerating any other dogs.
When I was in second grade, I liked horror stories, and my favorite animal was the Murder Moose. The Murder Moose was a big Moose with big teeth, and it went around killing people in my village in northern Sweden where I lived. In school I wrote my first story about the Murder Moose, and I made a drawing. My story and my drawing are unfortunately lost but with the help of ChatGPT I made another drawing based on my memories from my childhood’s Murder Moose. I should say that at the time I knew nothing about Dinosaurs yet, otherwise my favorite animal might have been Dinosaurs.
As an adult my perspective has changed. Now I love dogs. I have a dog, Rollo, and have owned many dogs, something that I never had a chance to do as a kid. I love dogs very much and I am especially fond of Leonberger dogs. I wrote a book about Leonbergers and our late Leonberger dog Bronco, or Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle to be precise. The title of the book is “The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle, Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger”.
However, the first dogs we had as a family was our Labrador Baylor and German Shepherd Baby. I should say that Baylor was not a purebred Labrador, he was one quarter Rhodesian Ridgeback.
One of the reasons I love dogs is that they are very social and often quite intelligent. They provide companionship, they are loving, loyal, fun, innocent, playful and they can also provide protection whether it is physically or just because of their barking, which alerts us to the presence of strangers. Add to that the fact that you need to take them for daily walks, which will keep you healthy as well.
Bronco, Baylor, and Baby were not our only dogs. Below are various photos of our dogs.
This post is to highlight a post by Lauren Scott featuring two exceptionally well written as well as supportive reviews of Jacquie Murrays book Endangered Species and my book The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle. I would also like to remind everyone that today is World Animal Day. Please visit her post, I reblogged it below.
Naturally I would also like to mention my review of Lauren’s wonderful book King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry. Click here to see it
Leonberger Life 