Leonberger. History: In the late 1930s, Heinrich Essig, town councilor in Leonberg, near Stuttgart, crossed a black and white Newfoundland female with a male named “Barry” who came from the Great St Bernard hospice-monastery. The offspring was a very large puppy, with white and long hair. Essig's aim was to create a leonine-looking dog, as the lion was the animal that appeared on Leonberg city’s coat-of-arms. The first dogs truly worthy of bearing the name of "Leonberger Dogs" were born in 1846. They embodied the excellent qualities of the breeds from which they descended. Only a short time later, given their "symbolic" character, many of these dogs were exported from Leonberg all over the world. In the late 19th century, the Leonberger was mostly used as a farm dog; its qualities as a watchdog and drafting dog were highly valued. Today the "Leonberger Dog" is an excellent companion dog. General Appearance: Bred to resemble a lion, the Leonberger is an imposing and very muscular dog, while remaining elegant. It is distinguished by the balance of its proportions and the mastery of its temperament, still very lively.