Lovable Leonbergers Trivia Quiz

Answer: Heinrich Essig

Heinrich Essig was mayor of Leonberg. He began breeding Leonbergers in 1846 to honor the town. Leonbergers were bred specially to resemble the lion on the town crest.

Answer: Great Pyrenees (Pyrenean mountain dog)

The monks at St. Bernard were glad to give Essig several of their dogs for breeding. The Saint Bernard was becoming unhealthy due to inbreeding, and this helped improve the dogs (some of Essig's Saint Bernard crosses were later given back to the monastery). Essig crossed a Saint Bernard and a Landseer (black and white) Newfoundland, then backcrossed to a Great Pyrenees.

It is thought that another giant solid-color dog was used in the breeding program, since white markings on a Leonberger are undesirable, and the Saint Bernard and Landseer Newfoundland are parti-color.

This has never been proven.

Answer: Lion

Not surprisingly, Leonberg's mascot was a lion. The big, powerful Leonberger has tawny coloring and a thick mane, giving it a very lionlike appearance. Leonbergers can weigh from 80 to 160 pounds.

Answer: True

Empress Elizabeth of Austria, Napoleon II of France, the Prince of Wales, the King of Belgium, Bismarck, Emperor Napoleon III, and a Russian czar all had Leos!

Answer: 8

After World War I, only five Leonbergers remained. When the World Wars ended, the eight surviving dogs were bred with one another, resulting in 22 puppies. It took 25 years for the Leo to recover. In 1971 the first Leonberger was brought to the United States.

Answer: False

The Leonberger inherited its love of water from the Newfoundland. They make wonderful water rescue dogs and will even blow bubbles in their water dishes!

Answer: Lurecoursing

The Leonberger does not have a strong prey drive and will not do well in lurecoursing competitions. Leos love other animals and will enjoy living with cats.
The Leo is much more agile and energetic than most of the giant breeds. Agility is a fun activity for Leos and will keep them fit. They are big and powerful -- perfect for draft work.
The Leonberger is a good candidate for Search and Rescue work. It has a good nose for tracking and, like the Newfoundland, can rescue drowning people.

Answer: False

The Leonberger has a dark mask over its face. Too much white on its body is undesirable.

Answer: Epilepsy

Do not let your Leonberger puppy get overweight! Remember, these are BIG dogs and any extra weight, especially in a growing puppy, will be hard on their skeletal structures. Don't buy a Leo puppy unless the parents are OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) certified. To avoid bloat, never exercise your Leonberger until at least an hour after he eats.

Answer: False

Leonbergers have little flew development, and they have been bred to have "dry mouths". Leos will drool occasionally, but no more than most smaller dogs. However, they do like to spit water!