The Leonberger Price: Can You Afford Him?

If you love a big dog, then you’re sure to love the Leonberger. But is the price of a Leonberger as big as he is?

No, actually. The purebred Leonberger price falls between $1,500 and $2,000 for a puppy purchased through a dealer.

The Leonberger dog price drops considerably if you choose to adopt or rescue, at around $300 to $500 for a rescue, and around $150 for adoption.

Before you settle on this breed on price alone, check out his history, temperament, and grooming needs to make sure he’s the right match for you.

The Leonberger, Up Close

The Leonberger breed started in the 1830s when Heinrich Essig created the breed to resemble the lion on the coat-of-arms for Leonberg.

And the Leonberger is not just a royal in name alone. Many royals, including Napoleon and the Prince of Wales, had Leonbergers as pets.

Only eight Leonbergers survived World War II, since a majority of their owners died in battle or fled the country.

Therefore, if you’re a history buff, you may feel proud to own such an important piece of history in your dog – a breed who almost ceased to exist.

Leonberger Temperament and Personality

Before you start making room for a doggie bed in your living room, you may want to know more about the Leonberger’s temperament and personality.

Here are some of the highlights.

He Loves People

The Leonberger absolutely loves to be around people.

That said, he makes for a terrible watchdog.

On the other hand, he does make a great guard dog – and of course, what with that size.

If he’s outside, he will not feel inclined to let you know if he senses a threat to his property. He will, however, act to defend it, if need be.

Though, he probably won’t have to. Anyone who gets a good look at this dog would be foolish to mess with him.

He’s Not a Good Idea for Young Children

While the Leonberger loves all people, including children, it’s not a good idea to have him around younger children.

This is solely due to his size. He could easily harm a smaller child without even realizing it.

He’s a Teddy Bear

The Leonberger is a sensitive pup.

If you’ve ever seen those comedy movies where the big hulking guy is actually a sensitive soul at heart, then you know the Leonberger.

In fact, he’s so sensitive that he gets upset if he sees his masters fighting.

If the argument becomes too loud, he may try to stand between you or pet himself against you to break it up.

However, his sensitivity to human emotion makes him a fantastic therapy dog.

He’s Not the Best Choice for Apartment Life

You may have guessed this, but the Leonberger is way too large to ever make a go at apartment living.

Even if you have intentions of getting a dog while you’re still in an apartment but eventually moving to a larger house, the Leonberger is still not a good idea.

This is because he’s so rambunctious as a puppy that he needs wide open spaces to run around in and daily vigorous exercise.

You can’t just walk him and that’s it for the day. You need to take him regularly for a run or a hike on the trails with you.

Leonberger Size

The Leonberger is no small dog by any means.

As far as his height goes, as an adult he can measure anywhere from 26 to 31 inches tall.

His weight is where it’s at though – an adult Leonberger can weigh between 90 and 160 lbs.!

If his size seems like it may be too much of a burden for you, then it’s good to know before you buy.

You certainly can’t guess he’s going to grow that large when he’s just a puppy!

The last thing you want to have to do is surrender a dog to the shelter because you simply can’t care for him any longer.

Leonberger Price – How Much Do Leonbergers Cost?

As mentioned earlier, the Leonberger puppy price can run you anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000.

The Leonberger price range is pretty average for your typical purebred dog breed.

You can always save a few dollars on a rescue or adoption.

Demand

The Leonberger’s popularity ranks at 93 of 195.

His popularity would probably be higher if he wasn’t such a large dog.

Not everyone can care for a dog this large, which is why you need to be absolutely certain before you bring him home that you can.

Because he’s not quite super popular, so to speak, you should be able to find a Leonberger “in stock” in or close to your local area.

Leonberger Rescue and Adoption

If you’d prefer to adopt or rescue a Leonberger, this option may not only save you a few dollars, but you also get to help a dog in need.

The Leonberger Club of America, for instance, can match you to one of the beautiful dogs they have up for rescue.

Typically, rescues charge a “donation” of around $300 to $450 to ensure they can continue rescuing other Leonbergers who need help.

For this money, you get a dog who has lived with a foster family and who, usually, has grown to tolerate (or even love!) living with kids and other pets.

If you’d like to adopt from your local shelter, this too is possible, though you’re not always guaranteed to find the dog you want right off the bat.

Adoptions typically cost around $150 for shots and neutering; however, some shelters offer free adoptions during certain times of the year, so be on the lookout.

If you’re okay with a mixed breed, let the shelter know – this may help you secure a dog sooner.

Leonberger Cost of Ownership

For some breeds, the cost of ownership is just as much as – if not more than – the purchase price of the dog.

The Leonberger is quite possibly one of these breeds.

Keep reading for more information on how much you can expect to spend on taking care of one of these dogs once you bring him home.

Cost of Food

Food may become a major concern for you with the Leonberger.

A dog this large can eat a ton of food each month.

Check with your veterinarian on how much you should expect to spend each week or month, and how much is a healthy amount of food each day.

One of those large dog food bags can cost anywhere from $25 to $50 or more. It all depends on the brand and quality of the food.

You will more than likely need at least two large bags of dog food each month to satisfy the Leonberger’s appetite.

Health Care Expenses

Something you need to know about the Leonberger is that even the healthiest ones live, on average, about 7 years.

You have to reconcile whether the price you pay for a dog who’s around almost half the time as other breeds is worth it to you.

Some Leonbergers can live as long as 10 to 12 years, but it’s really a crapshoot.

This is nothing unusual for larger breeds, but some people may feel that such a short lifespan isn’t worth the financial (and emotional) investment.

That said, some of the more common medical ailments to affect the Leonberger include:

• Bloat
• Hip dysplasia
• Cancer
• Heart disease

Most of these conditions require medication and/or frequent trips to the vet.

No matter what breed you decide to get, you should definitely make sure you have a rainy-day fund set aside, just in case.

Training Programs

While it is possible to train the Leonberger yourself, you may want help simply because of his size and level of strength.

One of the most important things you can teach him is to understand how large he is, and how his size can affect those around him.

You also need to socialize him early and often, with as many different people and animals as you can.

Group training classes are a good idea in this regard. You should aim to have him fully socialized by the time he’s 20 weeks old.

By that point, a Leonberger typically has the socialization skills he will have for life.

Grooming Costs

Grooming can become another headache with the Leonberger.

This breed sheds like crazy. Not only does he have two shedding seasons a year, but he also sheds regularly in between.

You need to brush a Leonberger daily. You should especially get behind his ears and the backs of his legs, where his fur is more likely to mat.

If his grooming needs are simply too much for you, then you can always recruit a professional groomer to help you.

Groomers offer a variety of services in a variety of different ways.

They can come to you, or you can go to them. They can do minor touch-ups or a full-blown grooming package.

It all really comes down to what you need, and what you can afford.

Kailyn C.

Kailyn has worked as a professional freelance writer since 2012, and during that time she has written about nearly every dog breed imaginable. Her mother loved Collies, and so Kailyn grew up with three of them throughout her childhood – including a blonde one who was half-blind! Now her home belongs to her first official dog, Macho, a Dogo Argentino rescue.