Leonberger vs Bospin - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The Bospin is a fairly new breed of dog and is the result of cross-breeding between the Boston Terrier and the Miniature Pinscher.

Mixed breed dogs are often healthier than full blood dogs and are becoming a popular choice. The origin of the Bospin is unknown. We know that the Boston Terrier hails from Boston in the USA and the Miniature Pinscher from Germany.

Hailing from Germany, and more specifically the city of Leonberg, the Leonberger is a giant dog breed.

A resident of Leonberg, Germany, was looking to develop a dog that resembled a lion and in 1846 it was announced that such a dog had been developed by crossing a Newfoundland, Saint Bernard and Pyrenean Mountain dog.

It was after 2010, when the Leonberger Club of America joined the American Kennel Club, that the strict breeding rules were no longer mandatory for all Leonbergers.

The Bospin’s Looks

The Bospin, a cross between the smooth haired Boston Terrier and the Miniature Pinscher can actually get any combination and characteristics of either of these two breeds. found in either breed. The Bospin in a small to medium sized dog who can live to be up to 15 years of age.

He has a short coat, but his looks will essentially depend on which is the more dominant breed. Regardless of which breed he takes after in looks, he will be a muscular little dog with long, lean legs and a long tail. They have small muzzles and a fairly long nose with brown eyes and upright ears. The short coat can be in a number of colours such as brown, beige or brindle, with black and white being a more common colour.

Temperament

The Bospin’s personality can be a blend of the Boston Terrier and the Miniature Pinscher. They’ve become such popular little dogs, full of fun and just loving to be with their human family. Because they are fairly even tempered, they make excellent family pets and will get on well with children in the home as well as other pets. This is a small dog but he isn’t a yapper. He isn’t going to make a wonderful watchdog as he can be quite friendly with strangers.

As a giant breed, the Leonberger stands at between 65cm and 80cm in height. He weighs a hefty 40 – 77kg both males and females.

These dogs are described as being dimorphic. It means that there is quite a difference in the looks of the males and females, with the male dogs being heftier and larger than the females.

The head of the dog is large, he has almond-shaped, dark brown eyes and the ears are medium sized and floppy. The tail is long and he has webbed feet which makes him a good swimmer too.

The thick, double coat can be straight or wavy and comes in different colors such as reddish-brown, tan, sandy or yellowish and the hairs can be tipped with black. He sheds quite a bit so will need regular brushing.

The Leonberger can have between 6 – 14 puppies and these puppies are like big, fat, cuddly, fluffy teddy bears. Don’t be tempted to just buy one because of his wonderful looks because they turn out to be huge dogs that eat a lot and the coat can take quite a bit of effort to keep groomed.

Temperament:

Fondly referred to as the Leo, this giant beautiful dog is social and in spite of his size, he should never be left alone in the backyard for long periods of time. He needs to come indoors from time to time to enjoy some interaction with his human family.

He is a family dog, and with training and socialization, he becomes a well-rounded, confident, obedient pet, quiet and content and sensitive to his owner’s moods.

Even though he becomes a great family pet, you need to think twice before you decide to own one of these large dogs as he can be costly to feed.

The Bospin is an adaptable dog and can easily fit into farm life or city life. When he is trained and socialized he makes an amicable pet, ready to be a loyal and devoted companion.

The Bospin’s personality can actually lean more towards either the Boston Terrier or the Miniature Pinscher, but you’re always going to have fun and games with these entertaining little dogs. They just love the companionship of their human family.

A Bospin needs to be brought into a stable environment so that he can adapt to his new home easily and not be confused by constant changes. Be responsible with your pet and make him one of your family and you’ll be rewarded with an entertaining, fun, loyal 4-legged friend.

Don’t be deceived by the looks of the big Leonberger because he isn’t aggressive, but quiet and calm. Large he may be, but he isn’t sluggish either and he will certainly require exercise such as a long, fairly lively walk every day.

They’re intelligent dogs too and respond well to socialization and training. He is a social dog and wants to enjoy plenty of interaction with his human family members.

These dogs are often used as rescue- and therapy dogs as they are so loving and sensitive. Give him lots of love and good care and you’re going to have the most wonderful pet that lives up to the saying – dogs are man’s best friend.

Your Bospin is a healthy dog breed, but the most healthiest pets can fall victim to health problems. There are some conditions that are specific to certain types of dogs and smaller breeds have their own set of worrisome dog ailments.

Dental Problems

Smaller dogs or toy breeds have smaller skulls and sometimes their smaller mouths have to find room to house the 42 teeth that dogs have. This over-crowding can lead to dental disease.

Collapsed Trachea

This is a common problem in brachycephalic breeds – those dogs that have short, broad muzzles such as the Boston Terrier. Toy breeds are more prone to tracheal collapse, a common cause of airway obstruction in dogs where the dog develops a rasping cough and labored breathing.

Legg Calve Perthes Disease

This is a developmental orthopedic disease where you see degeneration of the femoral head and which can lead to arthritis. The disease affects young animals and more specifically toy breeds. Your dog will have trouble walking and will usually hold one leg up. Your dog can battle along with pain and arthritis.

Leonbergers are strong, generally healthy dogs. It is said that very large dogs like this don’t live as long as smaller dogs and they also face more health issues. Orthopedic issues such as hip dysplasia are more common with large breeds.

Hip Dysplasia:

An orthopedic problem like this is a misalignment of a joint. This large dog also tends to develop elbow dysplasia too. Fortunately today, hip- and elbow dysplasia is controlled because of efforts of breeders to have their Leonbergers screened.

Nonetheless it is important to know about this ailment. The word ‘Dysplasia’ is referring to an abnormality of development. With both hip- and elbow dysplasia, there is abnormal development of the joints, and osteoarthritis can build up, causing lameness for your giant canine.

Cancer:

Cancer is sadly a leading cause of death in dogs over the age of 10 years. Lymphoma is a blood-related cancer – a tumor of the lymph nodes. Dogs can develop different forms of lymphoma. The warning signs are a lump or a wound that won’t heal, swelling in the bone and abnormal bleeding.

Luckily cancer is very treatable in dogs, but you need to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

Grooming

Because of the short coat and minimum shedding, your Bospin will only require minimal maintenance. Brush him down at least twice a week to keep the short coat free of loose hair and to also keep it shiny and glossy. As with any other dog breed, he should have his teeth brushed at 2 or 3 times a week with special dog toothpaste and toothbrush. Don’t be tempted to use human toothpaste. Check his ears too to make sure they are free of dirt and infection.

Activities

The Bospin is a hybrid breed and because he comes from two energetic dogs, you’ll need to provide him with activities to keep him busy. He will love to go on a walk with you and you can play ball games with him in the garden or even indoors. He isn’t a working dog so he isn’t going to demand too much activity, but it is better to get into the habit of exercising him regularly to keep him in good shape and to maintain his good health.

Diet

Bospins need to be fed carefully to avoid weight issues or health problems. Puppies need to eat frequently - 4 times a day. For your Bospin, always go for top quality commercially produced dog foods where meat is the top ingredient. Home made foods are always a wonderful choice for your pet and this can include meat, rice and vegetables.

If you’re unsure about feeding your dog, get advice from your vet. Always have fresh, cool water available and make sure you wash out the water bowl regularly.

That long coat of the Leonberger is going to require some brushing at least twice a week. He is also a moderate shedder and you want to get rid of all that loose hair and to keep him looking well groomed.

Diet:

A proper, nutritious diet is an essential part of having healthy, happy dogs and if you’re unsure about how to feed your giant pet, speak to your veterinarian.

The best diet for dogs is always very debatable, but essentially it needs to be kept simple. Try and invest in the very best commercially manufactured dog food for large breeds. Every dog wants a tasty home-made morsel from time to time. Add in cooked chicken, brown rice as well as cooked or raw vegetables. Raw meat can also be added in from time to time.

You want to avoid feeding the Leonberger puppy a high protein diet as this encourages rapid growth and you want to avoid that.