Leonberger Association of NSW

Introduction

Hello and welcome to Freyja’s page. I’m Megan and me and my partner Jarrod bought Freyja into our lives as a 9week old puppy in 2002 from Karen at Hochspitz Kennels in Victoria.

We only recently became involved with this beautiful breed, having grown up with a Pyrenean mountain dog and loving their calm, friendly nature I was on the look out for a similar natured giant breed dog. When I heard about the Leonbergers I was instantly attracted to their lion like features and lovely natures, and the fact they didn't drool was a big attraction for me. We were on a waiting list for approximately 8 months before getting the news that we would be bringing a little bundle of Leo joy into our lives. We already had 2 young dogs, Inky the black labrador and Mabel the Siberian Husky and they accepted Freyja straight away and all played well as they grew up together.

Showing

We decided that we’d show Freyja for a bit of fun, and with the help of Beth and Chardy, who’d had a bit of a head start into the world of showing over the preceding year, we plodded along going in various shows around Sydney. I can’t say that I enjoy the actual showing of the dog in the dog ring, but I enjoy the nice relaxing day out and watching all the other beautiful dogs that are on show. It makes me very happy that I chose a Leo when I see some of the more complicated dogs, in terms of grooming and clipping, like huskies or poodles. So I’m a bit slack with entering shows considering that  I would, ultimately, like for Freyja to achieve her championship status but at the moment we’re only about half way there.

Our Household

Our household is a rather busy one. I help run an animal rescue charity DCH Animal Adotions that saves dogs and cats when there time has run out at the pound. Part of this work involves foster caring these rescue animals which means bringing them into our own home and looking after them until we can find them permanent homes. A year ago we fell in love with one of our foster dogs and adopted him ourselves, and so the first male of our tribe, Dalton the Great Dane x came on board. At the time of writing this I have my own four dogs, 2 foster puppies as well as my own 2 cats and 5 foster cats.  So it is a very full household. Freyja has always adjusted well to new dogs coming into the yard, she is very accepting and playful, and even now as she matures, she still considers new puppies as fun playmates to romp around the yard with.

Freyja is just like a big teddy bear to us, she is very cuddly and her reasonably low activity level (in comparison to our husky for example) suits us well. I try and brush her once a week and this is more than sufficient to keep out knots although if I miss a week she does start to look quite scruffy, actually she looks a bit scruffy about 10minutes after I brush her anyway! Freyja likes the water and swimming but she’s not a big fan of bath time, so I don’t tend to wash her very often at all. There is a lot of Leo hair flying around our house at anyone time and this is the only drawback I’ve found with owning a Leonberger. But this is a small price to pay and I wouldn’t change her for the world.

Breeding

We’ve always had in the back of our minds that one day we might breed Freyja if she turned out well enough and if we decided we wanted another Leo to join the family. To this end we have established Furrychild Leonbergers. Freyja has passed all her physical tests (eye, hip, elbow scores) well and her temperament is wonderful. She has that typical playful exuberance at home while in public she is more reserved and calm. She is everything we’d hoped and we look forward to having Leonbergers in our life for many years to come.

Freyja was mated to Guiness (Of Tulse Hill Kennels) and had a Litter of 6 pups in 2006.  The pups are turning out better than we could have even hoped for,  in the show ring many of the Pups have taken out puppy in group and sweepstakes almost every time they enter the ring! Simba has Many group wins to his name so far,  and  Cobbett (the largest boy) winning BOB at 6 months old over his farther and then taking out Puppy in group at his very first show!..   

FURRYCHILD LEONBERGERS  -  NSW