General Leonberger Health
The LHFI periodically conducts worldwide breed Health Surveys, the most recent of which was conducted in 2019. The survey recorded information from a sample size of 1,079 individual Leonbergers.
Salient points gathered from the survey:
The data gained from our health survey guides the funding efforts of the Leonberger Health Foundation International. This is evidenced in our History of Contributions and continued research focus.
Salient points gathered from the survey:
- As described by their owners, 65% of the Leos were reported to have Excellent health during their lifetime. Another 25% were reported as Good.
- Average age of death was 8 years and 8 months (of 245 dogs reported as deceased).
- Of the 245 dogs reported as deceased, the top three causes of death were listed as: Cancer (57%), euthanasia due to Old Age/Immobility (14%), and Cardiovascular Issues (8%).
The data gained from our health survey guides the funding efforts of the Leonberger Health Foundation International. This is evidenced in our History of Contributions and continued research focus.
Leonberger Health Questionnaire
𝗟𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲!
ILU Health Working Group & LHFI have partnered with Minnesota and Bern Universities. We are working together to collect Health and longevity data of the breed and anybody who owns a Leonberger can participate and help!
The questionnaire is available in 9 different languages and the data is fully confidential, only available to the research teams at the universities studying the breed.
It does not matter when the dog was born or if he is still with us, please fill in the questionnaire to help us better understand the health issues the breed is facing and areas where future research is needed.
Please note, dog's 𝗗𝗡𝗔 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱 with the universities for his health data to be submitted via this questionnaire. You will need his registered name and date of birth and you are good to go!
ILU Health Working Group & LHFI have partnered with Minnesota and Bern Universities. We are working together to collect Health and longevity data of the breed and anybody who owns a Leonberger can participate and help!
The questionnaire is available in 9 different languages and the data is fully confidential, only available to the research teams at the universities studying the breed.
It does not matter when the dog was born or if he is still with us, please fill in the questionnaire to help us better understand the health issues the breed is facing and areas where future research is needed.
Please note, dog's 𝗗𝗡𝗔 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱 with the universities for his health data to be submitted via this questionnaire. You will need his registered name and date of birth and you are good to go!
Cancer in the Leonberger
OsteosarcomaEach year, more than 10,000 dogs in the U.S.A. are estimated to be diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Increased weight and height appear to be predisposing factors for the disease, therefore large and giant breed dogs are predominantly affected. (1)
It is the single biggest killer of our Leonbergers. At present, there is no cure for the disease and prognosis is dire. The choice of treatment plan is a very personal decision for the owner. There are many ongoing studies for treatment or prevention of osteosarcoma being conducted at various universities and labs around the world. The American Veterinary Medical Association maintains a Health Studies Database where one can search for clinical trials that their dog might be able to join. In 2020, the LHFI raised more than $70,000 in the Osteosarcoma Match Campaign, all of which will be directed toward further research into this horrible disease. The Universities of Bern & Minnesota, who house our DNA Databank, continue to look for genetic clues to this disease as well. |
HemangiosarcomaHemangiosarcoma is a cancer of the cells that line blood vessels. Because blood vessels are found everywhere in the body, hemangio can literally develop anywhere. Treatment and prognosis depends on the location and stage of the tumor.
Hemangiosarcoma poses the second biggest threat to the lives of our Leos. In 2018, the LHFI raised more than $27,000 for the AKC/CHF Hemangio Match Campaign. There are many ongoing studies for treatment or prevention of hemangiosarcoma being conducted at various universities and labs around the world. The American Veterinary Medical Association maintains a Health Studies Database where one can search for clinical trials that their dog might be able to join. The Universities of Bern & Minnesota, who house our DNA Databank, continue to look for genetic clues to this disease as well. |
Cardiac Conditions in the Leonberger
Dilated CardiomyopathyCardiac problems are a large contributor to death and disease in all canines. According to an ongoing LHFI supported study being conducted at the Veterinary Cardiology Department at the University of Liverpool, Leonbergers may have a genetic predisposition to dilated cardiomypathy (DCM).
A more detailed dataset is required to form definitive conclusions. As such, owner reported cases are still being collected as part of an on-going study. |
Sudden Death Related to ArrhythmiaAn on-going study at the University of Helsinki (Finland) has found evidence that there is most likely a familial connection to arrhythmia in Leonbergers (2).
Arrhythmia in dogs, as in humans, comes in varying degrees of severity. Diagnosing ventricular arrhythmia does not necessarily mean that the dog will perish, although the risk of sudden death does increase. Dr. Hannes Lohi and his team continue to gather data for this study. |
Polyneuropathy in the Leonberger
Polyneuropathy is caused by damage to peripheral nerves (the nerves beyond the brain and spinal cord). Some Leonbergers are affected by a cluster of hereditary polyneuropathies. Similar to Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in humans, the polyneuropathies affecting the Leo can take different forms and is characterized by a slowly progressive degeneration of the muscles in the lower limbs. The disease also affects the muscles used to swallow or breath, resulting in laryngeal paralysis to some degree.
The Leonberger Community has taken a proactive approach to identifying the genes associated with this cluster of disease in our dogs. As such, we have genetic disease tests that identify the alleles associated with ~50% of the forms of polyneuropathy we see in our breed. Neurological disorders such as laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy were reported in 6% of the 2019 LHFI Health Survey sample. The LHFI continues to support research at the Universities of Bern and Minnesota to locate the genes responsible for the remaining LPPNs (Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy).
The Leonberger Community has taken a proactive approach to identifying the genes associated with this cluster of disease in our dogs. As such, we have genetic disease tests that identify the alleles associated with ~50% of the forms of polyneuropathy we see in our breed. Neurological disorders such as laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy were reported in 6% of the 2019 LHFI Health Survey sample. The LHFI continues to support research at the Universities of Bern and Minnesota to locate the genes responsible for the remaining LPPNs (Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy).
Genetic Diversity and the Leonberger
When working within a closed gene pool, preserving available genetic diversity is necessary to the health of the breed. The International Leonberger Community has been aware and proactive in developing tools to help guide the breed into the future.
Exploration into the genetic health of the Leo began with the video entitled Safeguarding Genetic Diversity in the Leonberger Breed (below), produced in 2016. Then, in 2018, the Leonberger became only the second dog breed in the world to evaluate the genetic diversity of its population by calculating its Mean Kinship. Mean Kinship is a tool used extensively in the breeding of endangered zoo populations. Currently, the possibility of outcrossing to dogs outside of the Leonberger breed in order to increase diversity is being investigated.
A full report resulting from the first calculation of Mean Kinship, as well as the MK for individual breeding age dogs, can be found on the Worldwide Independent Leonberger Database. Because MK is based on current population statistics, it must be re-calculated every few years. The second calculation for Leonbergers was performed in 2021.
Exploration into the genetic health of the Leo began with the video entitled Safeguarding Genetic Diversity in the Leonberger Breed (below), produced in 2016. Then, in 2018, the Leonberger became only the second dog breed in the world to evaluate the genetic diversity of its population by calculating its Mean Kinship. Mean Kinship is a tool used extensively in the breeding of endangered zoo populations. Currently, the possibility of outcrossing to dogs outside of the Leonberger breed in order to increase diversity is being investigated.
A full report resulting from the first calculation of Mean Kinship, as well as the MK for individual breeding age dogs, can be found on the Worldwide Independent Leonberger Database. Because MK is based on current population statistics, it must be re-calculated every few years. The second calculation for Leonbergers was performed in 2021.
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