Mary Allen
#13 For example, the Leonbergers were painted by well-known animal painters at the time.
These pictures were printed far beyond Germany. The Leonberger primarily moved into aristocratic houses around the world. Leonbergers found a home both at the Russian court of the Tsars and at the British royal court. Empress Sissi and King Umberto of Italy owned some. But just as quickly as her rise was, the success fizzled out again, which was not least due to the envious.
#14 In the 1870s, the Saint Bernard outstripped the Leonbergers in popularity. To this day, the Leonberger is far behind its closest relative.
At the end of the 19th century, the Leonberger seemed about to disappear. But salvation came in 1895. Some of the few remaining enthusiasts of the breed came together to form the International Club for Leonberger Dogs.
#15 They set the breed standards and began breeding from their few remaining dogs.
The breed was recognized in Germany as early as 1895. However, the FCI only recognized it in 1955, which is certainly also due to the fact that the Leonberger was on the verge of extinction during the war and famine years of the First and Second World Wars, because in these difficult times only very few were able to own such a large dog Afford.