AKC Breed Standard for the Leonberger
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Leonberger is a large, muscular, and elegant dog with a balanced rectangular build and is distinguished by a black mask and double coat.
Mature males carry a lion-like mane on the neck and chest. For its size, the Leonberger is light on its feet and graceful in action. A dog or a
bitch should be easily distinguishable as such. The Leonberger must always be shown naturally, with no alterations of coat, except for
neatening of feet.
According to its original purpose as a family and working farm dog, the Leonberger was valued for his watch and draft capabilities. In the
present day the Leonberger is an agreeable companion for modern living conditions. The Leonberger is vigilant, obedient, and confident in all
situations.
As a multi-purpose working dog the Leonberger is comfortable performing a wide variety of jobs.
SIZE, PROPORTION, SUBSTANCE
Size: Measured at the withers, the male is 28 to 31.5 inches in height (preferred height is 30 inches), and the female is 25.5 inches to 29.5
inches (preferred height is 27.5 inches). Weight is in proportion to the overall size and structure. If proportion, substance, and balance are
present, a slight deviation above standard is tolerated. Under height is a severe fault. The minimum height does not apply to any Leonberger
under 12 months of age.
Proportion: The Leonberger has a rectangular and balanced build. Desired proportion of height at withers to length of body is 9 to 10.
Height is measured at the withers; body length is measured from point of shoulder to point of buttocks. The angulation of front and rear
quarters are in balance. Overall balance and proportion are equally as important as size.
Substance: The depth of chest is ideally 50 percent of the height at withers. Bone is substantial and in proportion to size of body; medium to
heavy, never light or coarse. Lack of bone or substance, or the opposite, overly heavy and massive, are faults.
HEAD
The head is deeper than it is broad. The ratio of length of muzzle to length of skull is about 1 to 1. Skin is close fitting with no wrinkles. Cheeks
are only slightly developed. Males have a strong masculine head without being blocky, whereas female heads express femininity.
Expression/Mask: A good-natured expression is required. Face is covered with a black mask that extends up and over the eyes. A lesser mask is
acceptable, but not desirable. Disqualification: Complete lack of mask. Eyes: Dark brown is preferred over light. Eyes are medium size, almond
shaped, neither deep set nor protruding, neither too close together nor too wide apart. Eyelids close-fitting, not showing any haw. The white
of the eye not reddened. Disqualification: Eyes without any brown pigment (yellow); entropion or ectropion lids. Ears: When alert, ears are
level with top of skull and set slightly forward. Ears are of medium size, fleshy, hanging close to the head, triangular and pendant. Skull: As seen
from the front and in profile, skull is slightly arched. Back skull is slightly longer than wide. Width of back skull is only slightly broader than it is
at the eyes. Stop: Clearly recognizable and moderately defined. Muzzle: Rather long, never running to a point; nasal bridge of even breadth,
slightly arched (Roman nose), never dipped. The jaw should remain broad and strong between the canines. Planes: As seen from the side, the
planes of muzzle and skull are parallel. Nose: Large with clearly outlined nostrils, always black. Lips: Flews should be close fitting, corners
of lips closed, dry, black in color. Some de-pigmentation due to aging is acceptable. Drooling or wet mouth are a severe fault. Teeth/Bite:
Teeth 42 in number (20 upper, 22 lower), strong, correctly placed, meeting in a scissors bite, lower incisors touching inside of upper incisors. A
pincer bite is also accepted. Dropped lower incisors, in an otherwise normal bite, are not indicative of a skeletal malocclusion and should be
considered only a minor deviation. One missing tooth other than the lower M3s is a severe fault. Disqualification: Overshot, undershot
(when incisors do not touch or mesh); wry mouth; two or more missing teeth (with the exception of M3s).
NECK, TOPLINE, BODY
Neck: Muscular, well set on shoulders, long enough for a proud head carriage, blends smoothly into withers. No dewlap. Topline: Withers set
above a firm level back. Rump not overbuilt. Body: Chest, broad, roomy, and deep, reaching at least to the level of the elbows, pro-sternum
easily felt. Fore and rear quarters well-muscled. Ribs: Well-sprung, oval. Underline: Only slightly tucked up. Loin: Broad, strong and
well-muscled. Croup: Broad, relatively long, gently sloped, fl owing smoothly into root of tail. A short, level croup is a fault. Tail: While
standing relaxed, tail hangs straight down with the last vertebrae reaching to or below the hock. In movement, tail is ideally carried no higher
than the level of the back, with a curve up at the end permitted. An exuberant tail carriage, though higher than ideal, should not be confused
with an incorrectly placed tail. Disqualification: Tail consistently curled over the back, making a wheel.
FOREQUARTERS
Shoulder Angulation: Well laid-back, well-muscled and lying close to the body. The shoulder meets the upper arm at approximately a right
angle (90-degrees) allowing for excellent reach. Shoulder and upper arm are rather long and about equal in length. Elbows: Close to body. In
or out at the elbows is a fault. Forelegs: Well-boned, muscular, straight and parallel to each other. Pasterns: Strong, firm and straight when
viewed from front, slightly sloping when viewed from side. Dewclaws: Usually present. Feet: Turn neither in nor out, rounded, tight, toes well
arched (cat foot), with black pads.
HINDQUARTERS
Angulation: In balance with forequarters. The rear assembly is powerful, muscular and well-boned. Stifle: Angle clearly defined. Legs:
Viewed from rear, the legs are straight and parallel, with stifl es and paws turned neither in nor out, placed widely enough apart to match a
properly built body. Thighs: Upper and lower of equal length, slanting and strongly muscled. Dewclaws: Rear dewclaws may be present. Feet:
Turned neither in nor out, may be slightly elongated compared to forefeet. Toes arched, pads always black.
COAT
Leonbergers have a water resistant, double coat on the body and short fine hair on the muzzle and front of limbs. The long, outer coat is
medium-soft to coarse, lies fl at and is never parted. It is straight, but some wave is permitted. Mature males carry a mane, which extends over
neck and chest. The undercoat is soft and dense, although it may be less so in summer months or warmer climates. In spite of the double coat,
the outline of the body should always be recognizable.Leonbergers have distinct feathering on back of forelegs, and ample feathering on
breeches but feathering shall not dominate overall impression.Tail is very well furnished. Females are less likely to carry a coat as long as males.
This disparity must not be a consideration when the female is judged against the male.Leonbergers are presented naturally and untrimmed. No
scissoring is allowed with the exception of trimming excess hair on toes for neatness. Any other trimming or shaping of the coat is penalized to
the extent that it is effectively eliminated from competition. Disqualification: Curly or corded coat.
COLOR
Coat colors are lion-yellow, golden to red-brown and all combinations thereof, each with a black mask. Sand colored (cream, pale yellow) is
acceptable.All colors may have black tips on the outer coat but black must never determine the dog’s basic color. A small stripe or white patch
on the chest, and some white on toes is acceptable. Disqualification: Any coat color other than those listed; white extending above the toes
to pasterns; or, white exceeding 4” in width.
GAIT
The Leonberger has a ground-covering, even and balanced gait. The stride is powerful, easy, free and elastic, with good reach and strong drive
giving the impression of effortless power. In motion, the Leonberger maintains a level topline. Viewed from the front and from behind, forelegs
and hind legs travel straight. As the dog’s speed increases, the legs tend to converge toward the centerline. Essential to sound movement is
the balance of correct front and rear assemblies and anatomically correct structure.
TEMPERAMENT
The temperament of the Leonberger is a distinguishing characteristic. Self-assured and calm with a steady, playful demeanor, willing to please,
and possessing a good capacity for learning, the Leonberger has a marked friendliness towards children. He does not show fear, shyness, or
aggression towards people or other dogs.
FAULTS
Any deviation from these specifications is a fault. In determining whether a fault is minor, serious, or major, these two factors should be used
as a guide: Deviation—The extent to which it deviates from the standard; and Impact—The extent to which such deviation would actually
affect the Leonberger’s ability to fulfill its role as a family companion or multi-purpose working dog.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
• Complete lack of mask
• Eyes without any brown pigment, (yellow), entropic or ectropic
• 2 or more missing teeth other than lower M3s
• Bite that is undershot, overshot or wry mouth
• Tail consistently curled over the back, making a wheel
• Curly or corded coat
• Coat colors other than those listed
• White extending above the toes (to pasterns) or on chest, a stripe that exceeds 4 inches in width
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