Leonberger
£24.00
Fine Art Watercolour Paper
Giclee Prints
Size: 330mm x 330mm
Original Painting Medium: Pastel
The Leonberger breed was established by the German breeder Heinrich Essig in 1846, in the small suburb of Leonberg, outside Stuttgart, west Germany. As the the towns crest was a lion, Heinrich Essig decided to develop a breed of lion-like dog. The official breed standard was set in 1949.
I have always appreciated the larger breeds of dogs and lived for many happy years with a lovely Newfoundland called Orca. During the mid-1980’s I was invited to a dog show in Basingstoke, Hampshire. Many owners were exhibiting a variety of large breeds including Great Danes, Bernese Mountain dogs, and Leonbergers. Handsome, calm, and confident, this Leo boy inspired me to paint him. Working from sketches and photographs taken at the dog show; I portrayed my first Leonberger pastel dog portrait.
I knew then that one day I would like to have a Leo companion and in 2003, my wish came true. We collected a lovely Leo girl and lived together for 10 happy years. I am delighted to have met and since been commissioned by other lovely Leo owners.