Important Info for everybody, interested in a puppy !

Many problems are known and might occur when breeding pedigree dogs - and as everywhere - "black sheep" among the breeders are known as well - and also a majority of breeders trying to breed from the best possible combinations - due to standard, temperament and health.

Large and giant breeds have unfortunately, a somewhat lower life expectancy than medium and small breeds, and this is why breeders must try to do appropriate combinations (older studdogs, combination of lines known for longevity), as the desired average lifespan for the Leonberger is an age of 10 years - and we all would like some more !

But breeders aren't wizards - and to get the utmost from a very limited gene pool (depleted by two World Wars and heavily influences by the excessive use of single studdogs) is not easy at all; it is simply impossible to breeder dogs without any problems - this is impossible in Europe, overseas and other continents, it is even impossible in the country of origin - it is simply not possible because we do not have enough breedable (not related, without any problems) specimn of the breed.

A breeder has therefore carefully to consider what s/he wants to achieve and be aware what problems
possibly to be expected.

This requires a sound knowledge of the breed-specific diseases, some basic knowledge about genetic and mode-of-inheritance for these disorders but also one should take into consideration that many hereditary diseases are polygenic and also that genetic diseases need a trigger to affect the individual animal. To know the genotype in a dog or bitch it needs DNA profiles and there is still research going on for several disorders affecting large/giant breeds - and unfortunately we do not have genetic tests / markers for all the particular disorders.

To test the own dogs and to breed to tested partners is so far the way to go.

But nobody can work miracles - nowhere - and this holds true for the World of pure-bred dogs,
not matter which breed is concerned. Nobody can guarantee a 100% healthy dog - every breeder
can only try to do "his / her / their best".

If you come across the search for a puppy to sites where only the "positive" is expressed

- be suspicious !

But be at least as suspicious if you find a site where only the negative
is expressed and where the breed and breeders are "bad-mouthed" but no reliable
info or solution can be given !

As this World is not only "black" or "white", so breeding dogs ist not just super or bad.

Still no one has found the solution to breed the "100% healthy, perfect" dog !

Ask a breeder why the specific combination was done, what is expected from that
(and the answer should be a bit more than just "beautiful pups") and no reputable honest breeder
(independant from breed clubs, kennelclubs, countries) can guarantee the perfect dog.

Only healthy and health-tested parent dogs should be used for any breeding; ask the
breeder for the health tests (X-ray-results, blood analysis, cardiac examination, DNA profile etc.)

A good and honest breeder will educate you - not only about the merits but also the
problems to expect in that breed.

But do not expect the impossible - the guarantee for the 100% perfect healthy dog

cause Nobody can offer you that as we all "cook only with water" and we all rely on the same
narrow gene pool !

Regarding health-issued you will find further information on our health-site.

Good luck for your search for a Leonberger Puppy !

back...................................back