About Me and How I got involved with Leonbergers
Leonbergers have been passion for me for very long time, for Chris Leos kind of came as a "part of the package" when we met and he has truly learned to love the breed, first through my old girls he met in Finland and especially when Sasha joined our family in 2008.
I met my first Leonberger in 1991, and it was love at first sight!
I got my first Leonberger two years later, when I was 12 years old.
Her name was Bonnie and she WAS a handful for a 12-year old girl.
Never the less, She was my dog&my responsibility so I took her to
training classes and few years later even competed in obedience
with her. I would like to think I was teaching her but this was not
the case -She was such a clever girl. I can thank her for my passion
and knowledge I have got over the years, as if she was an "easy dog"
I probably would have not got into a lot of things I have!
They say one Leo is never enough so 4 years later I decided I would like to have a dog I could show and possibly start breeding with. After lot of research I got Sani on breeding terms. This way I could see what it is all about and would have the support of a knowledgeable breeder (after all I was only 16 at the time).
Me & Bonnie 1994
With my two girls I tried most doggy activities including Agility, Water rescue, Obedience, Shows, Tracking, Flyball, Carting...Anything was worth a shot even if it was just for the fun factor and for the sake of something different to try to keep the dogs minds ticking! Sadly the dream of breeding had to be forgotten at this time due to very bad health of Sani. Having Sani, a Leonberger that had various health issues did set me on a path of interest in the health of the breed and that interest is still very much alive.
I moved from Finland to UK in 2000 and when I had finished my studies here in UK, it was time purchase a Leonberger in view of fulfilling that dream of nearly 20 years and start my journey as a breeder. I decided as I know the European lines better than I know the UK lines, I should import my foundation girls.
It took me few years of researching to find combinations of the lines I like and another 2 years before Sasha could come to UK so by any means it is not the easiest road to follow to get a dog! Sasha joined us in UK in 2009. Having learned from the process (and said I will not do it again too soon!!), Ellie our second import was on her way to UK a year after Sasha's arrival.
Sadly the line coming down from Sasha never progressed further due to girl I bred from her having cystic ovaries. Ellie however is a foundation to all of our breeding and every single Cleon Leonberger has her somewhere in their pedigree as a mother, grandmother or great grandmother.
I have now been owned by Leonbergers for 30 years and have never looked back. The girls rule our life and I am passionate about the breed and especially health of the breed. Therefore joining the Health Working Group of International Leonberger Union came as a natural progression. I hope this role allows me to give back to the breed I so love and help the breed forwards to a healthier future.
Leonbergers since 1993
CLEON LEONBERGERS
Leonbergers since 1993
Our past, Our future, Our Passion
CLEON LEONBERGERS