If you've never heard of adogbreed called the Leonberger, you're probably not alone. Exactly what is this Leonberger, you might be asking? Originally bred to resemble a lion using a mix of the Newfoundland, long-hairedSaint Bernardand Great Pyrenees, this immense creature typically weighs in at between 120 and 170 pounds (54 and 77 kilograms) and stands 2 to 2.5 feet (0.6 to 0.7 meters) at the shoulder. It's known for its medium-to-long waterproofcoat, lush triangular ears, bushy tail and dark-brown eyes framed by a black facemask, with the male even sporting a lion-like mane around his neck and chest.
"Leonbergers are lion lookalikes, with reddish-brown bodies and black masks," says Nicole Ellis, a certified professional dog trainer and pet expert withRover.com在电子邮件采访中,。“Leonbergers巨型-sized and lion-esque that they sometimes look like they're straight out of Narnia. Even though they're big (and love to eat, which means they can get quite heavy), they're agile, graceful and surprisingly light on their feet. Leos were never bred as specialized dogs, so they're well-rounded in just about everything — intelligent, gentle and sensitive family dogs.
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"They do need a good amount of space, exercise and grooming," adds Ellis. "They're giant, lovable companions who have the most fun when they're hanging with their families. As a bonus, their deep, low bark and big size make them intimidating watch dogs."
Perhaps the only problem with this breed? You might have trouble finding one. "While Leonbergers are quite common in their country of origin (Germany), there are only a small number in the U.S. these days," says Steffi Trott, owner and head trainer atSpiritDog Trainingin Albuquerque, New Mexico, by email.
不过,不用担心。“Leonberger似乎be gaining in popularity in the U.S. since being accepted into the American Kennel Club (AKC)," says Sara Ochoa, a small animal and exotic veterinarian in Texas and veterinary consultant fordoglab.com, by email. She currently has two Leonberger patients at her clinic.
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