Leonburg is a small suburb outside Stuttgart in west Germany. The foundations of this breed took place in this area and believed to be the work of Heinrich Essig who devoted himself to breeding a number of dog breeds, not least what is now known as the Leonberger. He crossed a Swiss St. Bernard with a Landseer I 1839. further cross breeding took place with a Pyreneer and Tibetanian Mastiff to form the large breed we know today.
The first breed club was formed in 1895 along with the breed standard.
Like many German breeds the Leonberger was affected badly by the two world wars. These dogs are extremely friendly and playful. They make a calm and confident, yet fearless companion.