Leonberger University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland In the 1830s, Heinrich Essig, a dog breeder and seller and mayor of the town of Leonberg near Stuttgart in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, claimed to have created the Leonberger by crossing a female Landseer Newfoundland with a "barry" male from the Great St. Bernard Hospice and Monastery (which would later create the Saint Bernard breed). Later, according to Essig, a Pyrenean Mountain Dog was added, resulting in very large dogs with the long, white coats that were the fashion for the time, and pleasant temperament. The first dogs registered as Leonbergers were born in 1846 and
Pyrenean Mastiff "Club del Mastín del Pirineo de España" in Spain. The mountain dog breed is now being taken from its native region and promoted as a pet in other countries like USA by the Pyrenean Mastiffs USA Club. It was recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1982. The Pyrenean Mastiffs USA Club is actively working on AKC recognition within the United States. This strong, rustic breed is self-reliant and calm. It is even-tempered and docile at home and is protective with children. It is gentle with other dogs as well as other pets and people it knows. However, if challenged,