Original German Standard
General Appearence:
The Leonberger is a big, strong, muscular, elegant of good proportions, and self confident, however with lively temperament.
Color:
Lion colored, golden- yellow, to red- brown with black (dark mask). Dark to black tips of the hair are allowed just as Sand- colored dogs with dark tips. Lack of mask is allowed, but not desired. A small white patch on the breast is tolerated, as well as a little white to light hair on the toe tips.The color of the tail is the same as the ground color of the dog. Slightly Badger - colored tails are allowed. The mane, feathering on the fore and hind legs and on the underside of the tail may be lighter, but should be in harmony with the main color.
Head and Jaws:
The skull is slightly domed, but it is not as high and broad as the skull of the St. Bernard dog. The cheek bones are not protruding so that the back of the skull does not look significantly wider than the skull at the eyes. The skull looks deeper than it is wide. The stop is lightly colored. The muzzle is moderately broad, not pointed. The bridge of the nose is straight or slightly roman. The nose is jet black, may never be brown. The latter disqualifies for breeding. The same applies to the lips. The skin on the skull and fore-face is smooth and without wrinkles. The strong neck shows much nobility, the head is carried proudly. Dewlap on the throat is a fault.
Forehand:
Straight, well feathered. The feet are well rounded and tight. Hare feet are a fault. The toes are usually webbed. The elbows lie close slightly above the breast line. The shoulders are sloping.
Hindquarters:
Well muscled thighs.The knee joints are prominent and moderately bent, not too straight. Cowhocks and barrel shaped hind legs are a serious fault. Dew claws must be removed on the rear legs.
Body:
The back is a little longer than the height at the withers. The chest is deep but not too barrel-shaped. The back is strong and straight.
Tail:
Very well feathered. Carried fairly low, never carried high or even rolled over the back, unless excited.
Coat:
Medium soft to rough, richly long, lying close to the body without parting and, despite a good undercoat, following the outline of the body. The coat is sleek and although waviness is allowed, it should never be curly. On the breast and neck the Leonberger has a beautiful mane.
Ears:
Set high, close to the head, medium size, well rounded and dropped.
Mouth:
A fairly deep muzzle,rather even,never pointed.The jowls are tight and have absolutely no flews,so that they do not drool.Open corners of the mouth set back.Complete and good closing,strong scissors bite of 42 teeth.
Eyes:
The eyes are light brown to dark brown, medium sized with intelligent, good natured expression. The eyelids close tightly, not showing the third eyelid (conjunctiva). The conjunctiva of the eyeball is white. Bird of prey eyes, too small or too full eyes (bull terrier) are undesirable and set the dog back.
Height males:
28.5" to 31.5"preferred:30"
Height females:
25.5" to 29.5"preferred:27.5"
Legs:
The legs are not too high, muscular with strong bones. The soles are always black. Brown color disqualifies.
The Leonberger is a big, strong, muscular, elegant of good proportions, and self confident, however with lively temperament.
Color:
Lion colored, golden- yellow, to red- brown with black (dark mask). Dark to black tips of the hair are allowed just as Sand- colored dogs with dark tips. Lack of mask is allowed, but not desired. A small white patch on the breast is tolerated, as well as a little white to light hair on the toe tips.The color of the tail is the same as the ground color of the dog. Slightly Badger - colored tails are allowed. The mane, feathering on the fore and hind legs and on the underside of the tail may be lighter, but should be in harmony with the main color.
Head and Jaws:
The skull is slightly domed, but it is not as high and broad as the skull of the St. Bernard dog. The cheek bones are not protruding so that the back of the skull does not look significantly wider than the skull at the eyes. The skull looks deeper than it is wide. The stop is lightly colored. The muzzle is moderately broad, not pointed. The bridge of the nose is straight or slightly roman. The nose is jet black, may never be brown. The latter disqualifies for breeding. The same applies to the lips. The skin on the skull and fore-face is smooth and without wrinkles. The strong neck shows much nobility, the head is carried proudly. Dewlap on the throat is a fault.
Forehand:
Straight, well feathered. The feet are well rounded and tight. Hare feet are a fault. The toes are usually webbed. The elbows lie close slightly above the breast line. The shoulders are sloping.
Hindquarters:
Well muscled thighs.The knee joints are prominent and moderately bent, not too straight. Cowhocks and barrel shaped hind legs are a serious fault. Dew claws must be removed on the rear legs.
Body:
The back is a little longer than the height at the withers. The chest is deep but not too barrel-shaped. The back is strong and straight.
Tail:
Very well feathered. Carried fairly low, never carried high or even rolled over the back, unless excited.
Coat:
Medium soft to rough, richly long, lying close to the body without parting and, despite a good undercoat, following the outline of the body. The coat is sleek and although waviness is allowed, it should never be curly. On the breast and neck the Leonberger has a beautiful mane.
Ears:
Set high, close to the head, medium size, well rounded and dropped.
Mouth:
A fairly deep muzzle,rather even,never pointed.The jowls are tight and have absolutely no flews,so that they do not drool.Open corners of the mouth set back.Complete and good closing,strong scissors bite of 42 teeth.
Eyes:
The eyes are light brown to dark brown, medium sized with intelligent, good natured expression. The eyelids close tightly, not showing the third eyelid (conjunctiva). The conjunctiva of the eyeball is white. Bird of prey eyes, too small or too full eyes (bull terrier) are undesirable and set the dog back.
Height males:
28.5" to 31.5"preferred:30"
Height females:
25.5" to 29.5"preferred:27.5"
Legs:
The legs are not too high, muscular with strong bones. The soles are always black. Brown color disqualifies.
