SA Standard

LEONBERGER

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Strong and muscular.

CHARACTERISTICS
Faithful, intelligent, amenable, good watch dog. Web-footed.

TEMPERAMENT
Equable, self-confident, neither timid nor aggressive.

HEAD AND SKULL
Tolerably wide skull; moderately deep. Broad, not too short, square muzzle. Slight stop, no wrinkles.

EYES
Medium size, dark with intelligent, good natured expression; showing no haw.

EARS
Set on high, close to head but not too far back. Wide as long, rounded at tips, well feathered and pendant.

MOUTH
Lips black and well fitting with no open corners. Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

NECK
Strong, moderately long. No dewlap.

FOREQUARTERS
Shoulders well laid, elbows close to chest; forelegs straight and well boned.

BODY
Slightly longer than height at withers. Strong back and loins. Chest deep, ribs well sprung but not barrelled.

HINDQUARTERS
Strong and muscular. Hindlegs well angulated and parallel when viewed from behind. Hind dewclaws removed.

FEET
Tight, rounded and webbed. Pads black.

TAIL
Well furnished, carried at half mast, never too high nor over back.

GAIT/MOVEMENT
Strong and firm.

COAT
Double coated, medium soft to harsh, fairly long, close fitting. Never with a parting and not obscuring the outline despite the thick undercoat. Straight or slight wave permitted. Mane on neck and chest, especially in the males. Distinct feathering on front legs and ample breeches on hindlegs.

COLOUR
Light yellow, golden to red-brown preferably with black mask. Dark or even black points on coat permissible.
Small white star on chest and white hair on toes permissible. Hair at throat, on forelegs and underside of tail may be somewhat brighter.

SIZE
Height at withers : Dogs : 72 - 80 cm (28½ - 31½ ins)
Bitches : 65 - 75 cm (25½ - 29½ ins)

FAULTS
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect on the health and welfare of the dog.

NOTE
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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The publisher of this edition is the Kennel Union of Southern Africa.

28.5.2003/tm