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| How Healthy is the Leonberger? The Leonberger has most of the same diseases that every other breed has. They have a relatively small gene pool and all of our dogs go back to just a handful of “founders.” Mutations in the genes of the dog and human are common, and presently there are only a few carrier tests available even for human diseases. Until recently there has been no way for breeders to acquire those tools to prevent diseases in dogs either. In June 2010 there was a worldwide announcement by the Leonberger Health Foundation that a huge breakthrough had come to help us eliminate one of the severe, early onset Leonberger Polyneuropathies that Leonbergers can get. We now have a carrier test for the LPN1 mutation that can prevent the disease in our offspring. Be sure to ask breeders you interview if their breeding dogs are tested for their status for the LPN1 mutation. Our breeding dogs all have a CHIC # which provides information obtained from hip, elbow, thyroid and CERF testing before they are bred and are also screened for the LPN1 mutation. CHIC site This enables breeders to know where some of the strengths and weaknesses are in their dogs and to choose mates based on not doubling up on problems. All of our breeding dogs have passing hips. Other test results both passing and not passing are posted as well. It helps breeders make conscientious decisions when looking for a mate to get away from the problems they have in the oncoming generations. Having a puppy whose parents do not have hip dysplasia does not guarantee that the puppy will not get hip dysplasia, as it is a polygenic trait (many genes, some from each parent contribute to a puppy with HD). It would have disappeared years ago if it was easy to eliminate! Like many other diseases, parents and grandparents and great grandparents may very well still carry genes for it, although they themselves do not have the disease. So far we have seen fewer “severe” cases of dysplasia in the Leonberger though, then in most other large breeds. We will try to continue to breed three generations free of HD when possible, although it is getting harder to do now that we have entered AKC. Leonbergers are a stoic breed rarely bothered by “mild” or “moderate” cases of HD, and although it keeps them out of our gene pool, it does not usually bother the average pet. Hypothyroidism shows up fairly frequently in middle-aged Leos, and is easy and economical to control when it does. We recommend that our owners their dogs for hypothyroidism when their puppies are two years old and at intervals over their lives. It would be my advice to any buyer of any breed, if they would like to see their breed able to remain healthy. Serious elbow dysplasia, serious eye problems, Addison's disease, are found but not common, and a number of cancers affect Leos as well as every other breed. Some are being studied by researchers, thanks to help from our members, the Leonberger Health Foundaton and the AKC Canine Health Foundation in hope of finding carrier tests to help all of us breed around the diseases. Leos are not an unhealthy breed; just not any healthier than any other breed. As is the case with most very large breeds, Leonbergers are not long lived. The average life span, according to the last health survey done by the parent club, is 6 1/2yrs. for males and 7 1/2 yrs. for females. I believe it is probably closer to 8-10 years. Although we are all striving for longevity, don’t buy a Leo expecting it to live to be 12 and then be disappointed when it doesn't. There is a good chance it will not live that long. If that is not something you think you can't handle, the terrier breeds are some of the longest-lived. Be realistic. All Leos come with both the good and the bad traits and health issues of the Leonberger breed. It is the chance we all take when we decide to share our lives with them. From our standpoint, we feel it is well worth the risks. Next page: Why buy a puppy from Cherrywood Kennels?
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| 18900 Chamberlain Rd. Grafton, OH 44044 | 440-926-2801 | cherrywoodleos@yahoo.com |