Breed Information : Finding a Puppy

Leonbergers within the US are registered with our National Breed Club which is the Leonberger Club of America (LCA). Leonbergers are now a Foundation Stock Service (FSS) breed with the American Kennel Club. We are expecting full recognition in the Working Group of the AKC sometime after the end of 2009. All LCA registered breeders and kennels are required to abide by the Member Practices of the Leonberger Club of America. We highly recommend that if you are looking to make a lifetime investment in a Leonberger puppy, please do a lot of research and purchase your puppy from a reputable breeder.

Before you decide to get a Leonberger, find out some simple facts about them as well as more about Leonberger characteristics and temperament. As you start contacting breeders, you may find the following list of questions helpful. I suggest printing out this list and jotting down the answers on a fresh sheet of paper as you talk with various breeders to help you in your decision-making process.

1. Have both parents passed OFA hip and elbow xrays after the age of two?
2. Has the optional PennHip exam been conducted on either parent? What were their scores?
3. Have both parents passed a CERF eye exam? When was the most recent CERF eye exam done? Can I have a copy of the results? Regular eye testing of breeding dogs is highly recommended
4. Have both parents had thyroid testing done? When was the most recent thyroid exam done? Can I have a copy of the results? Regular thyroid testing of breeding dogs is highly recommended
5. Has a cardiac evaluation been performed?
6. What is the age of the female and how many litters has she had?
7. What is the age of the sire (father) and how many litters has he produced?
8. What are the temperaments of both parents like?
9. Does either parent have a Canine Good Citizen Certificate?
   
10. Where are the puppies whelped and raised?
11. What kind of socialization experiences are the puppies provided during the first eight weeks of their lives? Are they exposed to children, adults, and normal household sights and sounds?
12. What kind of health warranty does the breeder provide?
13. Does the breeder keep in touch with previous puppy buyers?
14. Is he/she available for help to you throughout the puppy's lifetime?
15. What is the breeder specifically hoping to achieve from this particular mating/breeding?
16. What can the breeder tell you about the health, longevity, temperament, and structure of the parents, grandparents, and littermates of each parent?
17. What can the breeder tell you about health, longevity, successes, and problems in previous litters they have produced? Remember that no line of Leonbergers is absolutely clear of problems. All our dogs are related to some extent, so if a breeder tells you there are no problems in their lines, they are either blissfully unaware of issues or outright lying to you.
18. What different areas is the breeder actively involving his/her dogs in? (Conformation, Therapy, Obedience, Water Work, Agility, etc...)