Working giant Large size 45-77 kg

Leonberger

A calm, affectionate giant that makes a wonderful family companion for homes with space - the trade-off is heavy shedding, drool, and the short lifespan and joint issues of a giant breed.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Large
Size
45-77 kg, 65-80 cm tall
Moderate
Activity
Steady; enjoys walks and cool-weather activity
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Devoted but fairly steady when left
Good
Trainability
Willing and gentle; responds to kind handling
High
Coat care
Thick coat sheds heavily; regular brushing
Excellent
Fit with kids
Patient, gentle family giant
Good
Other pets
Peaceable with other animals
Moderate
Health burden
Giant breed; joints, heart and bloat to watch

The Leonberger typically weighs 45-77 kg, stands 65-80 cm, and lives 8-11 years.

Consider this breed if…

you have a house with room for a 45-77 kg dog to simply exist,
you want a gentle, patient giant that adores kids and visitors,
you can live with fur on everything and drool on some of it,
you accept that a giant breed's years together are fewer.

Do not consider this breed if…

you live in an apartment or a small home with narrow stairs,
hair, drool, and twice-yearly coat blowouts would drive you crazy,
you cannot budget giant-breed costs for food, meds, and vet care,
you are not prepared for a companion that may only live 8-9 years.

A typical day with a Leonberger

  1. 7:00 · Morning
    Relaxed 30-45 min walk before the day heats up
  2. 9:30 · Midmorning
    Long nap; a Leonberger sleeps a lot
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short garden break, water, more resting
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Play, light training, or a swim if available
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Second walk plus 10 min of brushing
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Settles wherever the family is

Temperament and training

Gentleness Very high
Family attachment Very high
Watchfulness Moderate
Energy drive Moderate
Independence Low
Prey drive Low
Common owner mistakes
Overexercising the puppy while joints are still growing · Skipping brushing until the undercoat mats · Ignoring bloat risk with one big meal and exercise after eating

Family and environment

Kids Excellent
Famously patient; sheer size can knock toddlers over.
Dogs Good
Typically peaceable and social with other dogs.
Cats Good
Low prey drive; usually calm around household cats.
Apartment Unsuitable
Too big; stairs and small spaces are a daily problem.
House with a yard Ideal
Space to sprawl plus shade for warm weather.
City Manages
Calm on leash, but size complicates transport and heat.
Countryside Ideal
Room to roam and cool water to swim in.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Hip dysplasia Common in giant breeds; screen breeding stock
Elbow dysplasia Can cause front-limb lameness
Bloat (GDV) Life-threatening; know the emergency signs
Dilated cardiomyopathy Heart disease seen in giant breeds; monitor

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Similar gentle water-loving giant
Newfoundland
A giant, sweet-natured water dog wonderful with children, but the drool, shedding, vet bills, and short lifespan are real trade-offs.
View profile →
Slightly smaller family giant
Bernese Mountain Dog
A gentle, family-loving giant - but a short lifespan and high cancer rate make this one of the heaviest health commitments in dogs.
View profile →
Comparable size and calm nature
Saint Bernard
A gentle, family-loving giant that is calm indoors - its huge size, drool, joint disease and short lifespan are the heavy trade-offs.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Leonberger cost to own in the US?
Expect a puppy from a health-tested breeder to run roughly $2,000-$4,000, then giant-breed bills: large amounts of food, higher medication doses priced by weight, and routine vet care that adds up fast. Over a lifetime, total ownership commonly reaches $20,000-$40,000+, and a single emergency like bloat surgery can cost $5,000-$10,000 on its own.
How long do Leonbergers live?
Typically 8-11 years, and many do not reach the top of that range. This is the honest downside of every giant breed: cancers, heart disease, and joint problems arrive earlier than in smaller dogs. Buying from a breeder who health-tests hips, elbows, and heart is the best lever you have.
Do Leonbergers shed and drool a lot?
Yes to both. The thick double coat sheds year-round and blows out heavily about twice a year, so brushing several times a week is non-negotiable. Drool is real but milder than in Saint Bernards or Newfoundlands - most Leonbergers slobber mainly around food and water.
Can a Leonberger live in an apartment?
Realistically no. It is a calm dog indoors, but a 45-77 kg animal needs physical room, easy ground-floor access, and a place to cool off. Stairs are hard on giant-breed joints, and a warm upstairs flat is a poor environment for a heavy-coated dog.