AKA: Leo

Description: The Leonberger is a large dog with a black mask as its characteristic feature. The mask is only up to the eyebrows, but it never completes the entire face. The males have a somewhat bigger head than the females, with the skull a little domed. Its lips and nose are black. The jaws form a scissors bite. The ears are hanging and medium-sized. This breed is big and majestic but its eyes show its gentle and kind nature.

The neck is strong and firm, with no dewlap. The coat is waterproof, and there is a mane that adds to the majestic look of the breed. The mane of the Leonberger can take up to four years to form. For the females, the mane is not easily recognizable. For the legs, both are feathered. Rear dewclaws should be removed. There are also webbing between the toes of the Leonberger that helps them in swimming. The tail is bushy and is set low.

Dynamics: The Leonberger is loving and steadily affectionate. Its size and look may be a little intimidating, but it is actually very sweet and kind. Its friendly personality endears it to its family. It is also very patient, even with the most rowdy children. If ever it becomes irritated, it just walks away and settles in a quiet place. It does not get aggressive. It is a most loyal and trustworthy companion.

Likewise, it does not respond well to harsh training. Patience and gentle training is needed for this breed. The Leonberger is intelligent and brave and will do well if the training is also reasonable and patient. Socialization and training should begin early.

Breed Group: Mastiff

Weight: males 130-170 pounds (59-77 kg), females 100-130 pounds (45-59 kg)

Height: males 29-31 inches (74-80 cm), females 27-29 inches (61-74 cm)

Color: The Leonberger’s coat ranges from tawny to reddish-brown and may have black tipped hair on the outer coat. There is also a small white star on the chest and sometimes a little white on the tip of its paws.
Country of Origin: The Leonberger got its name from its place of origin — Leonberg, Germany. German breeder Heinrich Essing crossed the Newfoundland, St. Bernard, and the Great Pyrenees to create a breed that could resemble a lion for the town of Leonberg.

Activities: The Leonberger needs to be taken on a daily walk. It does not need to have lots of exercises, though. It is an agile breed and has enough energy to be a good working dog and companion. It loves to swim, hike, and pull carts and sleds. The Leonberger has also been used to guard livestock, and for obedience and tracking. It also makes a good search and rescue dog, especially as a water-rescue dog.

Grooming: Because of its long coat and mane, the leonberger will have to be brushed regularly. Weekly brushing is enough, and the ears and teeth should be cleaned when needed. Bathe only if needed. De-matting may also be necessary

Other Info: The Leonberger has a life expectancy of 8 to 9 years. The breed is also prone to common diseases like hip dysplasia and bone disease. This breed is not recommended for you if you live in an apartment. It needs at least a large yard and prefer cool climates.

Photo: Dafping

AKA: Landseer Newfoundland

Description: The Landseer is a tall and powerful-looking dog. It has a well-balanced body, giving out an elegant and agile yet hardy aura about itself. It has a wide muzzle, although a little short and squarely. The ears are triangular and pendant. The eyes are dark brown, with their conjunctiva not shown.

The Landseer’s legs are longer than that of the Newfoundland, and the feet are webbed for when it goes swimming. The coat is long, water-repellant, oily, and slightly wavy. The top coat is straight and dense and with a good undercoat. The tail hangs down.

Dynamics: The Landseer is a dog of patience and outstanding temperament. It is a generous and intelligent breed, and is most often described as calm, loyal, trustworthy, and dignified. It is a very devoted dog, loyal to its master, and it welcomes any person, dog, or any animal that bears no ill intention. It is also very good with children, playful even. It is a very sociable dog but it has to be socialized since puppyhood, of course. The Landseer can also be protective. It gets between an intruder and its family, and will act on its own when it sees the family being threatened.

The Landseer likes getting wet. It drinks a lot of water and can be messy with it. It also likes to swim and play in the water. This breed has the energy of its size and can be slightly difficult to train. It is also very sensitive to the tone of voice used on it. Training this dog has to be in a calm and balanced manner.

Breed Group: Mastiff

Weight: males 130-150 pounds (59-68 kg), females 100-120 pounds (45-54kg)

Height: males 28 ½ -31 ½ inches (72-80 cm), females 26 ½-28 ½ inches (67-72 cm)

Color: The color of the Landseer’s coat is a clear white with black patches. The collar, the chest, belly, legs, and tail are white, while the head is black with a white muzzle.

Country of Origin: The Landseer originates from Germany and Switzerland. The United States and Great Britain consider the Landseer as the same breed as the Newfoundland, which has some roots in Canada and England.

Activities: Its huge body makes it move slow, but the Landseer still has enough energy to play, swim, and frolic. This dog is content to rest and sleep, but it still needs to be given daily walks outside.

Grooming: Bathe only when necessary but brush the thick double coat regularly. Use dry shampoo when bathing from to time.

Other Info: The Landseer has a life expectancy of 10 years. It is prone to a lot of diseases like hip dysplasia and hereditary heart disease sub-aortic stenosis (SAS). This breed is also sensitive to heat and prefers cool climates, so give them plenty of shade and cool water.

Photo: Sunnygirl

AKA: Dogue de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Bulldog

Description: The French Mastiff is a mastiff breed that is short, stocky, and muscular. Its head is a distinctive feature, with an undershot and powerful jaw, and a distinguishable black or red mask around and under the nose, lips, and eye rims. The nostrils are very open and the upper lips hang thickly down over the lower jaw. The ears naturally hang down.

There is a dewlap on the neck. The thick skin is loose. The front legs are straight and the tail is straight, curving when the dog is excited.

Dynamics: The French Mastiff has a calm and gentle personality, although originally it was considered ferocious. It is a brave and loyal companion, and is patient and devoted to its family. It is gentle with children and other family members. It makes a wonderful watchdog and guard dog.

The French Mastiff can be aggressive with other dogs. It has to be socialized and trained firmly from an early age. The male French Mastiff generally does not tolerate other male dogs.

Breed Group: Mastiff

Weight: 120-145 pounds (54.4-65.2kg)

Height: 23-30 inches (58-75cm)

Color: The French Mastiff comes in shades of fawn to mahogany. The black or red mask on the face is always present. White markings on the toes and chest are acceptable.

Country of Origin: The French Mastiff comes from France, where it has been a dog of many services throughout history, from being a war dog to becoming a cattle driver and bodyguard.

Activities: The French Mastiff needs a lot of exercise as it has a huge amount of energy within. This breed has served man throughout history as a war dog, flock guardian, dog fighter, cattle driver, watch dog, and guard dog.

Grooming: The French Mastiff’s coat does not need that much attention. An occasional combing and brushing is enough.

Other Info: The French Mastiff has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. It is generally a healthy breed, although litters are small and birth is difficult because of the puppies’ large heads. The French Mastiff will be fine living in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised.

AKA: Brazilian Mastiff, Brazilian Molosser, Cao de Fila

Description: The Fila Brasileiro is a massive dog with a strong bone structure and loose skin. It has a long muzzle, with pendulous upper lips. Its skin is loose all over the body, especially on the face and neck, giving the Fila Brasileiro a somewhat droopy look. The neck is thick and has dewlaps. The coat of the Fila Brasileiro is short and smooth. This breed has a rectangular and compact figure. The back is strong and its gait is measured and catlike. It is muscular and exudes power and agility.

Dynamics: The Fila Brasileiro exudes power and fearlessness. But it is actually a loving and loyal companion. It is protective and watchful. It gets along really well with children because of its gentle and calm manner. It also gets along well with other household pets, though it is reserved and cautious with strangers. It always wants the company of its owner and watch over him or her. The Fila is brave, courageous, confident, and has a calm disposition.

Socialization is needed with the Fila Brasileiro. You will know when socializing is over for the Fila Brasileiro when it does not seek as much attention anymore as it did when it was younger. The Fila Brasileiro is a willful and intelligent breed. It will decide for itself if it likes someone or not, despite socialization. It is in its nature to be protective of its owner and family, and to be wary of strangers. Socialization will serve as introducing the Fila to the world and not see everything as a threat.

Breed Group: Mastiff

Weight: 90-110 lb (41-50 kg)

Height: 25.5-29.5 inches (65-75 cm)

Color: The Fila Brasileiro may come in any color except white, mouse gray, patched, dappled, or black and tan. The most common colors of the breed are fawn, black, and brindle. A black mask may be present, and white markings should only found on the feet, chest, and tip of the tail.

Country of Origin: The Fila Brasileiro comes from Brazil. It is the descendant of the 15th century English Mastiff, Bloodhound, Bulldog, and Rafeiros.

Activities: The Fila Brasileiro needs a lot of exercise. It may appear to be lazy and slow, but it has stored energy possessed by Bloodhounds and Mastiffs. Aside from being a companion dog, the Fila Brasileiro is also used as a guard dog, watch dog, and is very helpful for its sharp tracking ability.

Grooming: The Fila Brasileiro’s short hair is easy to groom. Brushing with a bristle brush and wiping with a damp cloth will be enough. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The Fila Brasileiro has a life expectancy of 9 to 11 years. This breed is prone to hip dysplasia, bloat. CHD, gastric torsion, elbow dysplasia, and PRA. The Fila Brasileiro is not recommended to live in the city.

AKA: Old Time Bulldog

Description: The Dorset Olde Tyme Bulldogge is a medium-sized dog with the traditional appearance of a bulldog, though it has a stronger and bigger physique than the Bulldog. Its body is compact and stocky, with a well-boned and muscular structure. The chest is wide and the back is short. The forelegs are straight, set apart from each other, and the hind legs are broad with strong thighs. The feet are broad and the toes are tight, with thick tough pads. The Dorset Olde Tyme Bulldogge has a gait that exudes power and heaviness.

The Dorset Olde Tyme Bulldogge’s head is strong and massive, with the forehead dominating the face. It is furrowed with loose and wrinkled skin on the throat and cheeks. It has a broad muzzle, with folds, with the nose on top of it.The ears are set high on the head

Dynamics: The Dorset Olde Tyme Bulldogge is a flexible and loyal dog, able to fit into any lifestyle of its owner. It is very eager to please its family and is protective. Despite its appearance, it is a very affectionate and loving companion. They get along very well with children and other household pets, especially when socialized with them at an early age.

Breed Group: Mastiff

Weight: 60-90 pounds (27-41 kg.)

Height: 19-21 inches (48-54 cm.)

Color: This breed is still at its early stage so there is not yet a standard acceptable color for the coat. The Dorset Old Tyme Bulldogge is currently being bred in variations of brindle, pied, black, and slate gray-blue.

Country of Origin: The Dorset Old Tyme Bulldogge originates in England, where the breeding program began in the late 1980s by Steve Barnett.

Activities: The Dorset Old Tyme Bulldogge can handle any amount of exercise but also likes to rest. A daily walk will be enough to keep the breed fit and healthy.

Grooming: The Dorset Old Tyme Bulldogge coat will be cared for enough with a daily wipe using a damp cloth of a soft brush. This is to ensure that the wrinkles are free of any dirt or stains.

Other Info: The Dorset Olde Tyme Bulldogge has a life expectancy of up to 14 years. It is a generally healthy breed. This breed can adapt to any environment, whether it be in the city or country.