Page 330 - ShowSight - September 2019

Leonberger Q & A
While Leonbergers are certainly not a breed for everyone, as they need to be well-socialized as youngsters, require obedience training given their size, shed significantly throughout the year, need regular grooming, and have short life spans—they are also an incredibly beautiful and majestic breed with an affinity for children and make wonderful family companions for committed owners.
TIFFANIE COE
I have been involved with Leonbergers since 2007. Our family currently shares the house with three Leonberg- ers, and we will be adding Leo Roar’s offspring shortly. My three-year-old daughter, Mara Rose, has grown up with Leonbergers and is showing our current special in the Pee- Wee events offered by the local kennel clubs. Our young girls have just finished their cham- pionships and will work to
earn their Grand Championships as they mature. As a family, Rob- ert, Mara, and I have crisscrossed the United States campaigning our current special. It has been great family time and a way for Mara to see the country. I enjoy grooming our dogs and helping others with grooming their dogs. I enjoy hosting hands on grooming clin- ics in which people can learn the techniques to grooming their dogs and keeping their coats healthy. As a family, we are looking forward to the rest of the show year with our current dogs as well as starting the next generation.
I live in Black Diamond, Washington. I work full time at a start up company in downtown Seattle. Robert and I also have a three year old daughter, Mara Rose, and enjoy family time when we are not at dog shows.
Do people on the street or at the vet recognize the breed? The Leonberger is indeed gaining in popularity. Many people try to guess the breed or have an idea of what it could possibly be. The one thing almost all Leonberger owners will tell you is that when walk- ing, we do not get very far before there is a crowd.
Do I find fellow Leo lovers to be cooperative when it comes to breeding, showing, and helping fellow breeders to place pups? Responsible Leonberger Breeders do help each other out. As a breed community we also try to help breeders with home visits or pro- viding referrals for families interested in the breed. In addition, breeders will co-breed litters. Breeders will also lend a helping hand when possible in whelping the litter, in the first few weeks, puppy evaluations, and as a support network if something is not right with a puppy.
As far as showing, the community tries to be supportive. It can be as simple as holding a dog ring side, or taking a dog back in. Majors are tough to come by, so we do try to coordinate. It real- ly comes in waves, but there are a few key shows every year that draw majors.
I have a passion for grooming this gorgeous breed. I love teach- ing people how to care for their dog’s coat, how to blow a coat out, and just explaining simple grooming tips that truly make a differ- ence. I have had the honor of hosting multiple grooming seminars as well as hands on clinics in which I groom part of a dog while teaching the owner at the same time. The owners are then asked to groom the opposite side.
The most surprising aspect of the breed’s personality? Leonberg- ers are extremely smart and have a wicked sense of humor. Just ask any of us who also participate in performance events such as obedi- ence, rally and drafting. Our dogs literally make us laugh so hard
we just want to cry. Leonberg- ers are not push button dogs, they do not appreciate training with repetition. Most Leon- bergers will perform a task or cue two to three times and then are ready to move on. It doesn’t mean they completely understand what you are ask- ing, it just means they prefer to work on the next exercise.
How does living with a large dog jive with the current trend to downsize human housing? Most Leonbergers want to be in the same room as their family members. Our home is not very big, just over 1200 sq ft, and our dogs are usually by our side. When I am playing with Mara in her bedroom, Leo Roar is right there with us. The two younger puppies love to prance through the house with
dog toys.
At what age do I choose a show prospect? Structural evaluations
are done at eight weeks of age. Choosing an actual show prospect requires more than just structure. It also requires the correct atti- tude. One can have a stunning dog, that is structurally correct, but hates to show. You can work with the dog to see if the attitude can be changed or not, but a true “special” will be the complete package of structure and attitude.
My favorite dog show memory? I have two very special memo- ries. The first memory is when I finished my first champion, GCH CH UCH Int CH ElDorado’s Diamond Breeze CGC by going Best of Winner’s under Ms. Debra Thornton. Aira was a tough bitch to show and was very opinionated. Aira Breeze loved to show and if the judge was not looking at her, she would stomp her paws and whine in the ring to capture the attention. Aira and I went on to also earn her Grand Championship.
The second memory is when I won my first working group with Leo Roar in Arizona under Mr. David Haddock. My family was ringside, Robert was holding our two new puppies and our daugh- ter, Mara Rose was cheering so loudly yelling “You won mommy! I’m so proud of you!” This moment meant so much to me because my daughter could see that all of the hard work and dedication that we as a family put into our special, GCHP CH UCH Int. CH VLA BluDrift’s Bold Lion’s Roar RI NDD CGCA CGCU aka Leo Roar, paid off.
Leonbergers are extremely cute and fluffy puppies. They grow extremely quickly and require constant training. There is nothing worse than a 120 pound out of control adolescent. Leonbergers also shed—a lot! Invest in a great vacuum and be prepared for dog hair to become a condiment in every meal. Daily brushing and combing can keep the coat healthy and minimize the amount of dog hair shed around the house.
SHELLEY SCOTT FREEMAN
We spend our time between Northern California and Northern Idaho. Empty nesters, we enjoy traveling, working on our ranches and hosting guests at our Airbnb in Clements.
Do people on the street or at the vet recognize the breed? Few recognize the breed. We always have to allow more time when we wander out. Our Leos love meeting new people and, of course, they draw attention wherever we go.
Do I find fellow Leo lovers to be cooperative when it comes to breeding, showing, and helping fellow breeders to place pups? The Leonberger Club of America members are a great tight knit family.
328 • ShowSight Magazine, SepteMber 2019