I'll just put it out there - I'm in love with the Leonberger, though mostly from a distance. In searching for our next breed (currently have an awesome 10 year old shih tzu) I decided I really wanted a large breed that would be suitable for therapy work. Knowing that any breed could do therapy work, but some have a higher propensity, I started researching breeds.
This led me to the Leonberger, and I fell head over heels. I've read everything there is to read, and have visited with a breeder. The dogs in person were even better than I hoped, with one exception. The level of hair left on my pants after an hour of petting a herd of adult Leos was remarkable. I mean, truly a crazy amount.
I am not sure I could live with that level of shedding. However, I am wondering (i.e. grabbing at straws) if the dog was bathed and professionally groomed every 4 weeks, and I committed to brushing a couple times a week in between, if the hair would be manageable. I'm ok with more cleaning in the house, but I just don't think I can live if *I* a constantly covered in a thick mat of hair, let alone my kids.
Any Leo owners out there dealing with the hair successfully?
This led me to the Leonberger, and I fell head over heels. I've read everything there is to read, and have visited with a breeder. The dogs in person were even better than I hoped, with one exception. The level of hair left on my pants after an hour of petting a herd of adult Leos was remarkable. I mean, truly a crazy amount.
I am not sure I could live with that level of shedding. However, I am wondering (i.e. grabbing at straws) if the dog was bathed and professionally groomed every 4 weeks, and I committed to brushing a couple times a week in between, if the hair would be manageable. I'm ok with more cleaning in the house, but I just don't think I can live if *I* a constantly covered in a thick mat of hair, let alone my kids.
Any Leo owners out there dealing with the hair successfully?