Leonberger                       

Association



Unleashing the Leonberger Love: A New Club Emerges!

THE CLUB

    The Leonberger Association came about when a group of like minded people decided that there was enough room in the UK for a second Leonberger club to support the owners and breeders of this most wonderful of breed.

After a lot of hard work behind the scenes the Kennel Club agreed that the Leonberger Association had a place in the pedigree dog community in the UK and the Leonberger Association was ratified in June 2015.


Upcoming events 2025

  • 5th April  Sarah Sevastopulo is heading a Judges seminar & BAD
  • 12th July  2nd Championship Show in conjunction with W&PBs
  • 22nd August  Open Show  in conjunction with Driffield
  •  Eye testing   TBC

The Committee Members

Run by Leonberger enthusiasts

 for Leonberger enthusiasts


Secretaryleoassociation2@gmail.com

Email Christina

President

 Mrs Christina Chapman

I was raised with my Grandfather's Smooth Fox Terriers and an Uncle's Labs. My Father introduced me to GSD's at a very early age and these remained my breed until the mid 60's In the early 70's I went into Norwegian Buhunds, making up a champion and owning / breeding other CC winners. I have awarded CC's in them since 1984. I am approved to award CC's in 16 breeds across 4 groups plus the Working and Pastoral groups and BIS at CH show level. I have judged all over the UK and overseas including Russia, Australia, South Africa, Germany, Latvia, Ukraine and New Zealand. I have been a speaker on many breed specific conformation and movement seminars. I have been a KC accredited trainer for Conformation and Movement, Requirements of a Dog Show Judge, Points of a Dog Assessments and Stewarding since 1999 and regular hold seminars across the UK for these. 

Currently I am Vice President for NE Working and Pastoral Breeds and North Lincs Dog Club as well as the area representative for Lincolnshire on the KC Shows Liaison Council. I have been honored to be made an Honorary Life Member of the East Anglian Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club and The Norwegian Buhund Club


Patron

Mrs.Glenda Smith

I am the proud mother of 3 and the grandmother of 3 lovely children. I have been a dog lover all my life and became involved in the world of dog showing more than 40 years ago.In that time I have owned and shown Rottweilers, Akitas, Bullmastiffs Leonbergers and the occasional German Shepherd dog. In the past I have been a member of and served on the committee of the British Rottweiler Association and the Leonberger Club of GB,

I have imported 9 Leonbergers to help expand the gene pool in the UK, I have bred 7 champions and made up the first male Leonberger champion in the UK. I am an FCI and UK championship judge. I have judged at specialty shows in Sweden and Denmark, I have had the honor of judging the Leonberger breed 3 times at Crufts.

I give master classes and kennel club breed assessment classes on the Leonberger and will work tirelessly for the breed I love. 


Secretary

 Mrs Pat White

My Affix is Parowhite. I have 3 German Shepherds and 2 Leonbergers. I am a Championship Judge for German Shepherds and Judge Leonbergers at open show level. I made up my own GSD to Champion and had numerous dogs with their stud book numbers and reserve CC’s. I was secretary to Derbyshire GSD club for over 13 years and a committee member prior. I have just started in the Leonberger breed and love their temperament. They are a fabulous breed. I am a behaviourist, trainer, examiner for the Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme, a Master Trainer for the Guild of Dog Trainers and have wrote three courses for the Middlesex University and Guild of Dog Trainers. I have also developed Sheffield and South Yorkshire's first and only Canine Sensory Garden. This garden helps dogs develop their life skills in a safe environment where there are objects, herbs and plants that they can select to sniff and self-calm. This helps reduce stress and enables their behaviour issues to be worked on. I am a trained hydrotherapist, a Canine Bowen and Emmet therapist and I am a qualified Applied Canine Pharmacognosist having trained with Caroline Ingraham in Animal Zoopharmacognosy as a canine practitioner. I am a holistic trainer and run my own classes in Sheffield. Two of my GSD’s have appeared in a play at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield. They played in “Teeth and Smiles” with Amanda Donohoe. My own Leonbergers have been lightly shown due to work commitments and have passed their Kennel Club Good Citizen award to Silver. Both Leos go swimming regularly - Harry is a true water baby

Chair Person

 Ms Debbie Charwin

My name is Debbie Charwin, I have been involved with dogs for over 45 years. I trained my first dog at the age of 12, and have been a dog trainer for many years, specializing in dogs with difficulties. I have also rescued and rehomed dogs for most of that time, but my greatest love by far was the first time I saw a Leonberger over 30 years ago.
I have owned, shown and bred Leonbergers for over 29 years and have the great pleasure of judging them for many years and hope to carry on for years to come.

Treasurer

Mrs.Sally-Anne Sandalls

I have been in Leos now for over 25 years and in that time I have, been very active in all things Leo.

I was an active member of LCGB committee for a number of years and also help setup the Health committee, and worked in the background of welfare.

Waterworks , with Seals (Leo link) and Leo club GB (wet Leos )

Carting, with Seals (Leo Link) and Leo Club GB (wet Leos)

Both of the above type of working activities I have also competed in the tests, taking more than a few of my Leos regularly.

Breeding , yes I have bread a few litters, BUT always only when I’m ready for my next addition, Always trying to maintain the health and temperament, construction and breed standard, Every litter to date I have kept at least one pup, if I can’t live with my breeding then I can’t expect Jo Public to,

I have also taken my own breeding to champion Show Status, plus a good many stud book numbers, not only mine but ones that have been sold on,


Secretary

Email Richard

C. Member

Mr Richard C Kinsey

I have owned dogs for most of my life having had Whippets as a child although not for showing. 

As a teenager sport played a major part in my life as I played semi- professional football & hold a Black Belt Tae-Kwon-Do and also instructed until 1980 when an injury put paid to both sports & that is when I started showing dogs. My first breed was Rottweiler in 1982 & then in the late 90’s I bought a Leonberger as they then came into the Working group from the Utility group . I now own 4 Leos & 1 Rottweiler. I was on London & South East Rottweiler Club for about 11 years as Show Manager until I moved to Lincolnshire & also the Leonberger Club of Great Britain as Show Manager for 12 years. I am passed to award CC’s to 30 breeds across the Working, Pastoral, Gundog & Utility groups & have been approved for the Working Group, Pastoral Group & BIS at Championship Show level. I am on the Committee of Driffield Championship Dog Show & Senior Steward. I am Senior Group Steward at Darlington & have been for around 17 years now. At present I am Chairman & Show Manager for the Heckington Agricultural Society Dog Show. Show Manager for Wath West Melton CS. I also took over as Show Manager for National Working & Pastoral Breeds Society from 2017. I have been lucky enough to have judged many times in Latvia, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russia, Norway, Sri Lanka, Malta & now due to judge Leonberger club shows in Belgium, Russia, & Sweden, making some lifelong friends in the process.  


C. Member

 Mrs.Tina Caird- Robinson

I have been around dogs since I was 3 years old when we got our first family dog.
I got my own dog at 17 a gsd rescue who had been abused.
I then met my now husband and he had 2 more gsds and a crossbreed.
Over the years (29) we have always had multiple dogs, mainly gsds.
We got our 1st Leonberger Max in 1999, he was a rescue and was 18 months old.
eonberger started.
Followed then by Shiloh, Ace and Luna.
I took Max to training classes and ended up helping them. Over 8 years I took part in The safe and sound displays in the kc rings at discover dogs and was asked to be a trainer there, I went on and passed a training course with the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers and passed with a grade 2.
Moving up the ranks to committee then vice chair and chairman and senior trainer.
I was also a founder member of four in the fast lane flyball team as well as senior coach and team captain.
I also became chairman of Thames valley open show after serving on committee for about 4 years
I have now retired as a pets as therapy assessor and area coordinator and parade organiser at Crufts and Discover Dogs
I have also, taken part in draught tests with my leos and taken part in displays and water work.

C Member

Mrs.Denise Peachey

I have always had a dog in my life, couldn’t live without them, Over the last 9 years I have had Leonbergers, my daughter does show them lightly but firstly they are pets having grandchildren I love the Leos temperament around children . Currently I have 4 Leos , 2 are half sisters and veterans bless them, then there is my imported blonde boy he has done well showing gained the RDCC at Crufts at 19 months of age, finally I have a niece to my older girls, she has just started her KC Good Citizen training and she loves the water and will swim whenever she can. I have a keen interest in the health of the breed and maintaining /improving it in the future.


C Member

Mrs.Lynne Anderson

I have been involved in dog showing for nearly 30 years. I bred and showed Akitas for 20 years, serving on the committee of the Akita Club of Scotland for several years, as well as the committees of 2 local canine societies. I steward regularly when I am able, always stewarding the Scottish Border Collie Ch show. I moved away from Akitas as I was always concerned about the type of people who wanted puppies - they can attract the wrong type! My first contact with a Leo was probably some 15 years ago, camping at Bournemouth I helped Lynette Hodges to her car with her dogs and trolley when I saw her struggling and that sparked my interest, further contact with the breed through Richard Kinsey and Kathie Hay sealed my fate and I welcomed my first Leo girl 8 years ago (Wolfen breeding) I now have 5 of these beautiful dogs, showing as often as I can and would welcome the chance to join the committee to give some Scottish representation

 


Subscriptions Forms


Renewal Forms


APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

List of Judges

Today's dog breeders have a number of different things to consider when choosing dogs to use for breeding, including:

  • temperament
  • breed type and characteristics
  • health test results
  • genetic diversity

general health of the sire and dam

Responsible breeders will consider the health of their puppies to be a priority, which increases the probability that they will go on to live long and happy lives.

The gentle character and even temperament of the Leonberger is of utmost

importance for fulfilling their role as a family companion. The Leonberger is confident, with a

steady, playful demeanor. The breed is willing to please and possesses a good capacity for

learning. Serious fault - Quarrelsomeness or hostility towards people or dogs in normal

situations; unwarranted show of timidity or nervousness.

Recommended Health Tests :

  • Hip Evaluation
  • Elbow Evaluation
  • Thyroid Evaluation
  • Ophthalmologist Exam (CERF)
  • LPN1 DNA Test
  • LPN2 DNA Test
  • LEMP (Leukoencephalomyelopathy) 
  • DNA Test

Leonbergers shed a lot and twice a year, they shed even more. A Leo should be brushed every day, especially in the areas of his body that tend to mat: the long hair behind the ears and on the backs of the legs. A more thorough grooming should be done once a week' and given the breed's size, this will take a fair amount of time. Leos have a thick, full outer coat and a shorter, fluffier undercoat. A metal comb and an undercoat rake can be used to work out the undercoat, and a pin brush and a slicker brush will neaten up the outer coat. In addition, a Leo's nailsshould be trimmed every other week.

If you live in a city apartment or a house on a small, suburban lot, this may not be the breed for you. Adult Leonbergers are generally calm and subdued, but they still need to have some vigorous exercise once a day. Puppies and adolescents are active and exuberant. Adult dogs can benefit from jogging or hiking with their owner or keeping pace alongside a bicycle. A large yard with a tall, strong fence is the ideal place for a Leo to run around. Remember, these are working dogs. Drafting'¿that is, pulling a cart'¿and agility training are two good ways for a Leo to get the activity he or she needs.

Leonbergers are very large and strong. In addition, puppies and adolescents have loads of energy and are extremely enthusiastic. With these facts in mind, proper training of the breed is essential. Leo puppies should be socialized by being gently exposed to a wide range of people, animals, and settings before the age of 20 weeks. Group obedience classes will help a Leo learn to be a well-mannered companion and canine citizen. A Leo is probably stronger than and may even outweigh his owner, and it is imperative that he learns to do what you want him to do.

The Leonberger should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog's calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog's weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.