The Leonberger is a giant breed of dog that originates from Germany. The breed is also commonly known as the 'Gentle Giant, ' the 'Gentle Lion, ' and as simply the 'Leo.' The Leonberger's name is derived from the city of Leonberg which is in the Baden-Wurttemberg region of Germany. The Leonberger is believed to have come into existence in the mid-1850s when a Landseer Newfoundland was mixed with a Saint Bernard, and later a Pyrenean Mountain Dog. Traditionally the Leonberger has a long white coat, which was considered very fashionable at the time. The modern Leonberger has a much darker coat and will usually have a black mask covering most of its face and muzzle. The breed's numbers suffered dramatically during World War I and World War II as most of the Leonberger breeders were killed, fled Germany or enrolled in the military. During the World Wars, the Leonberger was mainly used to pull carts full of ammunition to and from the front line. Traditionally the Leonberger breed was employed as a general purpose farm dog or a guard dog. The Leonberger has a very unique water-resistant double coat on its body and very short fine hairs on its muzzle and limbs. The breed's durable outer coat is relatively straight and lies flat to the dog's body. Interestingly the Leonberger is a dimorphic breed as it possesses either a strongly masculine or elegantly feminine form, which allows the breed's gender to be immediately discernible. The temperament of dogs is normally affected by the following factors: individual personality, heredity, training and socialization. It is therefore important to make sure that you meet the puppy's mother before purchasing a Leonberger. It is also important to make sure to thoroughly socialize your Leonberger with strangers, children and other animals during its puppyhood. Generally speaking, the Leonberger is known to be a friendly, submissive, obedient and hardworking breed. They are also known to be incredibly playful under the right circumstances. The breed is also known to be intelligent, loyal and robust and is capable of performing a wide variety of work related tasks. It is important to note that as a working breed, the Leonberger has a high amount of energy which needs to be expended. If the Leonberger has a buildup of energy it is likely to develop destructive behaviors due to boredom or hyperactivity. Before purchasing any pet it is important to understand that as a pet owner you are responsible for the care and wellbeing of your pet. It is important to try and learn as much as you can about the animal you are considering to keep as a pet to make sure that your lifestyle, household and financial status are suited to provide your pet with the best possible care. This guide has been designed to provide you with both precise and concise information about a Leonberger's basic needs to help you provide your pet with the best quality care practices. This guide will give an in-depth explanation on training your Leonberger, raising your Leonberger from a puppy, grooming, health care and everything in between! "The Leonberger: A Complete and Comprehensive Owners Guide to: Buying, Owning, Health, Grooming, Training, Obedience, Understanding and Caring for Your Leonberger," by Michael Stonewood is the perfect purchase or gift for a first time Leonberger owner. This guide includes sections on caring for a puppy, breeding, health care, training, the basic cost of owning a Leonberger and much more. This book is the second edition - the first edition was published by 'Dog Care Professionals.'