When you invite a dog to join your family you want it to stay for a long
time in good health, and you want it, even in its old days, still to be
vital. The general rule is that bigger dogs have a shorter life-span,
and the Leonberger is no exception. However when we look at other giant
breeds we feel quite optimistic and proud that the Leonberger does not
suffer from wide spread illnesses like many giant breeds. A life-span of
over ten years is not unheared of for Leonbergers, and a few even live
into their teens.
The national Leonberger clubs have breeding
regulations, adopted to circumstances and kennel club rules in their
country. Health related requirements are generally an important part of
those breeding rules. In nearly all countries a stud book is kept by the
national kennel club, which issues a pedigrees (certificate of descent)
for all purebred dogs, independent of compliance to the breed clubs
breeding regulations. Therefore, before buying a puppy, one should
always check with the national breed club to assure that the litter
confirms to the breeding rules.
If you are considering getting a
dog, health and temperament should be your top considerations. For
Leonbergers, you must be very sure that you obtain your dog from a
breeder and not from a commercial dog trading establishment (puppy
mill). Make sure that the breeder is a member of their country’s
Leonberger Club and is on the current list of approved breeders. That is
your only assurance that the strict breeding standards imposed by most
Leonberger clubs have been followed. It must be clear that there is
never a 100 % guarantee that your dog will never be ill or live to be
ten years old, but your chances are much better if you get a puppy from a
breeder that is meeting the health standards of the national breed
club.
Most FCI affiliated Kennel Clubs do not require more than
the AKC in the way of breeding standards, but most of the national clubs
are diligent in requiring adherence to very precise guidelines
developed to minimize genetic flaws and diseases. Although, in most
countries, law forbids clubs to fix a price for puppies, many clubs
recommend a price. Most breeders stick to that price. If a breeder asks a
price out of line for his country (either much lower or much higher)
you should be careful and try to find out why that breeder is not using
the breed club rules and guidelines. It is always a good idea to visit
several breeders.