Nutrition
  

- approximatly weight and amount of food -
for giant breeds (counted at estimat.
adult dogs weight)

age in months weight in kg amount of food/g 
- appr. adult weight 50 kg     and     55 kg

  2 months      8,4 kg  / 8.5 kg   ca. 330 / 335 g 

  3 months     16.0 kg /16.5 kg   ca. 515 / 550 g

  4 months      21.0 kg /22.6 kg  ca. 545 / 580 g

  6 month        28.0 kg /30.3 kg  ca. 535 / 600 g

  9 months      34.0 kg /37.4 kg  ca. 575 / 680 g

12 months     40.0 kg /44.0 kg  ca. 610 / 780 g    

for each 5 kg appr. adult weight expected to be more, add 50 - 75 g additional food 

The amount of food varies - see package-leaflet; 
high-premium-food usually reduces the total amount.

Please do 4 / 3 / 2 feedings a day
(8 weeks up to 10 months) and stick to the 
"2 x / day   - feeding" for the adult dog, 
as the Leos are a giant breed and prone
to bloat / torsion.
Feeding 2 x/day may minimize that risk.
The individual temperament of the dog should 
be considered as well. 
The amount of food varies and depends on 
the training and temperament of your dog.

Be careful and do not overfeed the puppy
 - avoid overweight - as this could cause
 Panosteitis and other skeletal problems.

Females appr. 45 - 55 kg adult weight 
(depending on the size and bone-structure)
Males appr. 60 - 70 kg adult weight

The tendency to very massive dogs bears
as well several healthproblems; like with
humans - medium average weight should
be preferred. 

 

 

Ernährung

Ungefähre Gewichtsangaben
 und Nahrungsmenge, berechnet nach
erwartetem Endgewicht für Riesenrassen

Lebensalter/Mo. Gewicht in kg. Futtermenge 
Endgewicht 50 kg       und          55 kg

 

 2 Monate          8,4 kg / 8,5 kg         ca. 330/335 g

 3 Monate         16,0 kg /16,5 kg      ca. 515/550 g

 4 Monate          21,0 kg /22,6 kg     ca. 545/580 g

 6 Monate          28,0 kg /30.3 kg     ca. 535/600 g

 9 Monate          34,0 kg /37,4 kg     ca. 575/680 g

12 Monate         40,0 kg /44,0 kg     ca. 610/780 g 

Die Rationsmenge ist - abhängig vom Alter - 
auf 4 / 3 / 2 Mahlzeiten zu verteilen !

Wachstumsabweichungen sollten Sie unbedingt ernst nehmen 
und - im Falle von Übergewicht - überprüfen, welche "Extras" 
Ihr Hund bekommt. Alle "Extras" müssen in die Gesamt-
futtermenge eingerechnet werden.

Auch das Bewegungspensum (zuviel/zuwenig) muß 
Beachtung finden, ferner das individuelle Temperament 
Ihres Vierbeiners.

Rechtzeitige Korrekturen von Übergewicht können 
Wachstumsstörungen und damit eine Vielzahl von
Problemen und Beschwerden verhindern.

Gewicht erwachsener Leonberger - abhängig von Grösse
und Knochenbau - 

Hündinnen ca. 45 - 55 kg

Rüden ca. 60 - 70 kg

Der Trend zu "enorm" massigen Hunden geht oft zu Lasten des Allgemeinbefindens; 
wie beim Menschen ist auch beim Tier ein 
Durchschnittsgewicht Extremen (Unter-
/Übergewicht) vorzuziehen.

 

 

 

 

Feeding - Development of weight

for Leonberger dogs during growing period

 

For the interest and health of your dog - esp. Development and growing of bones, muscles 
and tendions - please do not overfeed your dog - no abuse in feeding please !

On the table you can see the approximatly weight for each period of age - the weight is depending on the temperament and activity of each individual dog, males are always a bit (appr. 2 - 4 kg) stronger and heavier than the females. Please stick to the feeding plan given either by the breeder or the veterinarian (if unsure, tend rather to feed less than more) and to the instructions on the feeding package of the commercial dog food you buy:

adult male minimum 50 kg maximum 70 kg

(more can only be tolerated if the dog is very tall, more than 80 cm)

adult female minimum 40 kg maximum 60 kg

It is much more healthy for the dog to put on weight after the growing-period, which means 
at the age of 12, better 18 months !

Each "too much" during the growing period can cause harm to the bones and tendions.

If unsure pls. ask the vet. He/she can tell you if the dog is proper but not fat by examination.

Pls. be careful with supplements such as Vitamins and Minerals - too much is as bad as too less.

The most so-called "complete food" does not require any supplement and in case of supplement - because the Leonberger is a large breed - ask the vet for the exact amount of the supplement(s) added (e.g. an extra amount of Calcium).

 

I prefer to feed the "BARF"-Diet as dogs have been feed like this
for centuries - but it requires much more time for the preparation of meals
and as well a certain knowledge on the food.
- I feed pasta, rice and cereals, mixed with meat, sometimes fish -

For beginners it might be safer (and more easy) to feed complete food;
most dogs like some fresh fruits such as bananas, apples etc.,
as well vegetables (carrots) and cottage-cheese.

For summertime - if the appetite is less during the daytime - I feed
cottage-cheese with season-fruits or vegetables
and the larger meal in the late evening-hours.