Newfoundland Dog vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison

Newfoundland Dog vs Leonberger - Breed ComparisonNewfoundland Dog is originated from Canada but Leonberger is originated from Germany. Newfoundland Dog may grow 6 cm / 2 inches shorter than Leonberger. Both Newfoundland Dog and Leonberger are having almost same weight. Both Newfoundland Dog and Leonberger has same life span. Both Newfoundland Dog and Leonberger has almost same litter size. Both Newfoundland Dog and Leonberger requires Moderate maintenance.

History

newfoundland dog - historyThe Newfoundland dog is a large working dog. They were bred and used as a working dog for fishermen in the Dominion of Newfoundland, an eastern province of Canada. With their web feet they were also used for water rescue.

The history of the Newfoundland Dog is unsure, but the breed as we know it today originated from dogs which were brought from Newfoundland to England in the early 1800's.

The Newfoundland Club was founded in 1886 so as to promote the breed.

leonberger - historyHailing from Germany, and more specifically the city of Leonberg, the Leonberger is a giant dog breed.

A resident of Leonberg, Germany, was looking to develop a dog that resembled a lion and in 1846 it was announced that such a dog had been developed by crossing a Newfoundland, Saint Bernard and Pyrenean Mountain dog.

It was after 2010, when the Leonberger Club of America joined the American Kennel Club, that the strict breeding rules were no longer mandatory for all Leonbergers.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
Canada
Germany
Height Male:
63 - 74 cm
24 - 30 inches
65 - 80 cm
25 - 32 inches
Height Female:
63 - 74 cm
24 - 30 inches
65 - 80 cm
25 - 32 inches
Weight Male:
45 - 80 kg
99 - 177 pounds
40 - 77 kg
88 - 170 pounds
Weight Female:
45 - 80 kg
99 - 177 pounds
40 - 77 kg
88 - 170 pounds
Life Span:
8 - 10 Years
8 - 10 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 12
6 - 14
Size:
Giant dog
Giant dog
Other Names:
Newfie
Gentle Leo, Leo, Gentle Giant
Colors Available:
grey, Black, brown
sandy or yellowish, tan, Reddish-brown
Coat:
Medium length, coarse, dense
Thick double-coat - straight or wavy
Shedding:
Constant, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

newfoundland dog puppy - descriptionThe Newfoundland is a large dog standing at between 63cm to 74cm, both male and female. Weight can vary from 45kg to 80kg.

He has a double coat of medium-length straight hair and the hair can be black, brown or gray. Although it is common for the Newfoundland to have a solid-colored coats, you will sometimes find small patches of white on their chest, toes, or at the tip of the tail. Then again you get the less common Newfoundlands where the coat is white with some black markings and these are known as Landseers.

The outer coat is coarse, oily and water-resistant quality, suited to a dog that loves to spend time in the water. The head is broad and large with small ears that he keeps lying close to his head. The tail is long and plumed and the feet are wide with webbing between the toes which aids him with swimming.

Temperament:

As with many large dogs, the Newfoundland is docile and his sheer size makes it that he is best suited to life in the countryside as opposed to living in the city. This is also because this particular dog wants to be close to water where he can swim.

He is a trustworthy, loyal dog and will get on well with children and pets in the home. Training and socialization is always recommended for any dog, but a big dog can often ‘get in the way’ indoors and you want him to lie down or sit when you tell him to. He is an intelligent dog so will respond well to training.

leonberger puppy - descriptionAs a giant breed, the Leonberger stands at between 65cm and 80cm in height. He weighs a hefty 40 – 77kg both males and females.

These dogs are described as being dimorphic. It means that there is quite a difference in the looks of the males and females, with the male dogs being heftier and larger than the females.

The head of the dog is large, he has almond-shaped, dark brown eyes and the ears are medium sized and floppy. The tail is long and he has webbed feet which makes him a good swimmer too.

The thick, double coat can be straight or wavy and comes in different colors such as reddish-brown, tan, sandy or yellowish and the hairs can be tipped with black. He sheds quite a bit so will need regular brushing.

The Leonberger can have between 6 – 14 puppies and these puppies are like big, fat, cuddly, fluffy teddy bears. Don’t be tempted to just buy one because of his wonderful looks because they turn out to be huge dogs that eat a lot and the coat can take quite a bit of effort to keep groomed.

Temperament:

Fondly referred to as the Leo, this giant beautiful dog is social and in spite of his size, he should never be left alone in the backyard for long periods of time. He needs to come indoors from time to time to enjoy some interaction with his human family.

He is a family dog, and with training and socialization, he becomes a well-rounded, confident, obedient pet, quiet and content and sensitive to his owner’s moods.

Even though he becomes a great family pet, you need to think twice before you decide to own one of these large dogs as he can be costly to feed.

Characteristics

newfoundland dog dog - characteristicsYour beautiful, cuddly puppy will soon become a giant dog with a big appetite. Don’t just buy a cute puppy if you can’t afford to feed him properly and you can’t give him lots of attention.

Your dog will also be shedding, so be aware of these aspects before you bring a large Newfoundland into your home. He is a gentle dog, but his size could be worrisome if he isn’t trained, socialized and supervised.

Newfoundlands are amicable dogs, and while he may like to spend times indoors with you relaxing, he is a working dog and will require exercise and activities for mind and body.

Give this giant of a dog a loving home, and you will have a special, devoted friend like no other.

leonberger dog - characteristicsDon’t be deceived by the looks of the big Leonberger because he isn’t aggressive, but quiet and calm. Large he may be, but he isn’t sluggish either and he will certainly require exercise such as a long, fairly lively walk every day.

They’re intelligent dogs too and respond well to socialization and training. He is a social dog and wants to enjoy plenty of interaction with his human family members.

These dogs are often used as rescue- and therapy dogs as they are so loving and sensitive. Give him lots of love and good care and you’re going to have the most wonderful pet that lives up to the saying – dogs are man’s best friend.

Health Problems

newfoundland dog puppies - health problemsThe Newfoundland can be prone to serious health conditions such as hip dysplasia and gastric torsion. Deep chested dog breeds like the New Foundland are susceptible to bloat, a life threatening condition where the stomach swells, it can twist and the dog can die if help isn’t available. He will be salivating, restless and whining while also trying to vomit.

Giant breeds are also prone to elbow and hip dysplasia, a genetic problem which can ultimately affect your dog’s mobility.

When in any doubt about your pet’s health, get him to the vet.

leonberger puppies - health problemsLeonbergers are strong, generally healthy dogs. It is said that very large dogs like this don’t live as long as smaller dogs and they also face more health issues. Orthopedic issues such as hip dysplasia are more common with large breeds.

Hip Dysplasia:

An orthopedic problem like this is a misalignment of a joint. This large dog also tends to develop elbow dysplasia too. Fortunately today, hip- and elbow dysplasia is controlled because of efforts of breeders to have their Leonbergers screened.

Nonetheless it is important to know about this ailment. The word ‘Dysplasia’ is referring to an abnormality of development. With both hip- and elbow dysplasia, there is abnormal development of the joints, and osteoarthritis can build up, causing lameness for your giant canine.

Cancer:

Cancer is sadly a leading cause of death in dogs over the age of 10 years. Lymphoma is a blood-related cancer – a tumor of the lymph nodes. Dogs can develop different forms of lymphoma. The warning signs are a lump or a wound that won’t heal, swelling in the bone and abnormal bleeding.

Luckily cancer is very treatable in dogs, but you need to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

newfoundland dog dogs - caringYour dog’s coat will need to be brushed at least twice a week as he is a heavy shedder.

Do the nails of your dog as soon as they start getting long. Long nails can hook on things and cause injury to the dog’s paw area.

This is a dog with floppy ears so check inside the ears to prevent ear infections, more so because this is a water-loving dog. The dampness inside the ears can cause bacteria.

Diet:

This is a giant breed and sadly, they have the shortest lifespans. You want to make sure that you keep your giant breed as healthy as possible to ensure he reaches the 10 or so years allotted to him and to also prevent health problems.

Make sure your giant breed puppy and adult has the very highest quality commercially manufactured food to ensure he gets the right balance of nutrients in. This food also makes sure that your puppy rather grows at a slower rate and stronger as opposed to growing too quickly. Rapid growth comes with joint problems.

All dogs, large and small, don’t want exotic, strange food that upsets their stomachs. They want consistency and simplicity and they want tasty food. Give him some homemade food such as cooked chicken, brown rice or pasta and some vegetables such as sweet potato, carrots and spinach. You can add this occasionally to his dry kibble.

Add in some raw meat from time to time too. Your pet will be strong, healthy, happy and content.

leonberger dogs - caringThat long coat of the Leonberger is going to require some brushing at least twice a week. He is also a moderate shedder and you want to get rid of all that loose hair and to keep him looking well groomed.

Diet:

A proper, nutritious diet is an essential part of having healthy, happy dogs and if you’re unsure about how to feed your giant pet, speak to your veterinarian.

The best diet for dogs is always very debatable, but essentially it needs to be kept simple. Try and invest in the very best commercially manufactured dog food for large breeds. Every dog wants a tasty home-made morsel from time to time. Add in cooked chicken, brown rice as well as cooked or raw vegetables. Raw meat can also be added in from time to time.

You want to avoid feeding the Leonberger puppy a high protein diet as this encourages rapid growth and you want to avoid that.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Newfoundland Dog vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  2. Newfoundland Dog vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Newfoundland Dog vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  4. Newfoundland Dog vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  5. Newfoundland Dog vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  6. Newfoundland Dog vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  7. Newfoundland Dog vs Moscow Watchdog - Breed Comparison
  8. Newfoundland Dog vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  9. Newfoundland Dog vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison
  10. Pyrenean Mastiff vs Newfoundland Dog - Breed Comparison
  11. Spanish Mastiff vs Newfoundland Dog - Breed Comparison
  12. St. Bernard vs Newfoundland Dog - Breed Comparison
  13. Moscow Water Dog vs Newfoundland Dog - Breed Comparison
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  16. Newfoundland Dog vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
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  19. Newfoundland Dog vs Francais Blanc et Orange - Breed Comparison
  20. Newfoundland Dog vs Gaddi Kutta - Breed Comparison
  21. Leonberger vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Leonberger vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  23. Leonberger vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  24. Leonberger vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  25. Leonberger vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  26. Leonberger vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  27. Leonberger vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison
  28. Pyrenean Mastiff vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  29. Moscow Watchdog vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  30. Spanish Mastiff vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  31. St. Bernard vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  32. Moscow Water Dog vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  33. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  34. Leonberger vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  35. Leonberger vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  36. Leonberger vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  37. Leonberger vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  38. Leonberger vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  39. Leonberger vs Francais Blanc et Orange - Breed Comparison

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