Here's an interesting tidbit: the leonberger was established in 1846, in Leonberg, Germany. They are the result of crossbreeding the Newfoundland, St. Bernard, and Great Pyrenees Mountain dog. I must admit, I am very jealous that someone thought of doing that first--to take three of the largest canines known to man and breed them into a super dog. I wish I could shake Heinrich Essing's hand (the breeder--but that would be weird, since he is dead).
I imagine you'd have to have some pretty sizable facilities to accommodate that kind of breeding regimen.
Thanks for the photo, Douglas of Sweden. I'm always impressed when a pet owner is secure enough to submit their beloved beast to Ugly Overload.
My mother has 4 of these dogs. They are the sweetest and most beautiful animals! Google the breed---this pic does not do the breed justice.
ReplyDeleteHopefully I'll get to see one of these soon. They sound amazing! Big dogs make me melt. This guy definitely got a smile outta me. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful mug! Beautiful coastline, too. Handsomest ugly dog ever!
ReplyDeleteLeonbs are such GREAT dogs. I've been lucky enough to snorgle more than my fair share of them.
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting factoid about them is that the org. breeder also wanted to make them look as lion-like as possible because lions were part of his family crest.
If you see one walking down the street you'll def. see what he was going for. :D
*SNORGLES WHETT DOGGEH*
...by the way...he is now 178 pounds, pure muscle!
ReplyDelete//Douglas (owner)
Awww, he looks so happeh!! I love big dogs with big hearts!
ReplyDelete--TwoDragons
I love the weird cross-pollination we get with Cute Overload.
ReplyDeleteApparently from the image at your link, the dog usually has two heads, and three front legs. Good for guarding those legendary treasures, or the Mouth of Hell.
ReplyDeleteLOL Jack - points for Greek Mythology reference. :p ;)
ReplyDeleteI always thought that Cerberus got a bad-rap. I'm willing to bet that he was just a big, slobbery luv-mush like most large breeds. Number of heads notwithstanding.
BTW, the original breeder's name was Essig (which means vinegar in German), not Essing. Nice picture nevertheless.
ReplyDeleteCerberus would be a handful. How could you play fetch? Maybe with a triple-forked twig.
ReplyDeleteAs long as you didn't throw two sticks in opposite directions...
ReplyDeleteOooh! That would hurt!
ReplyDeleteI just realized what the dog kinda looks like: A Wookiee taking a swim!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, guilty as charged--I visit both C.O. and Ug.O. and I'm not ashamed to admit it. *grin*
--TwoDragons
Two Dragons, you're not alone... And apparently Meg Frost has been known to lurk here too.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few of us CuteFugees here. ;)
ReplyDeleteWell as they say, Man Cannot Live On Cute Alone... And anyways, UgO provides that much-needed contrast, without resorting to raunchy shock photos or the like. He champions the cause of the "So Ugly it's Cute" minority.
ReplyDeleteWell, most of the time, at least. I can do without botflies and candiru fish. But even they have their place in the world. Just...nowhere near me. ;-)
--TwoDragons
Heh, I lub you guys. ;)
ReplyDeleteHappy Canadain Thanksgiving everyboy!
I'm grateful for the UG!
Awww... I bet he's a sweetie. It does kind of look like he just washed ashore after having his eyes eaten out by an octopus.
ReplyDeleteYou all are too kind!
ReplyDeletePfft!
ReplyDeleteI spelled the name of my homeland wrong. I do not deserve your kindness!!
*cyber-SEPAKU* ack