July 4, 2025, 7:04 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Majestic, gentle, and always ready to help—the Landseer impresses not only with its imposing appearance but also with its deep-rooted desire to serve its human companions. Once a rescuer in maritime distress, today a loyal family companion, this breed uniquely combines strength and good-naturedness.
The Landseer is one of the large, hardworking dog breeds in Europe and is closely related to the Newfoundland. While its roots lie in the harsh coastal climate of Newfoundland, the Landseer developed into a distinct breed in the early 20th century–thanks to the efforts of German and Swiss dog breeders who saved the black-and-white dogs from disappearing. Today, the Landseer is known not only as a water rescue dog but also as a loving family dog with remarkable social skills. However, anyone wishing to give it a home must have space, time, and experience–and be aware that it harbors a sensitive giant with a herding dog heritage.
Origin
The history of the Landseer is closely linked to the Newfoundland. Both descend from the so-called “Newfoundland Dogs,” which served as helpers in fishing on the Canadian island of the same name in the 18th century. They assisted in hauling in nets, pulled heavy loads, and rescued people from the water. When these dogs came to England, they quickly gained popularity–especially among the nobility.
Initially, black-and-white and black variants were considered color forms of the same breed. But by the end of the 19th century, the black coat color increasingly displaced the black-and-white type. To preserve this type, breeders from Switzerland and Germany began targeted pure breeding around 1900. They brought the last suitable specimens from Great Britain to Central Europe, thus founding the Landseer breed.
To stabilize the coloration, Pyrenean Mountain Dogs and Kuvasz were occasionally crossbred.
The breed was named after the British animal painter Edwin Landseer, who made the black-and-white type famous in his paintings. The FCI officially recognized the Landseer (European Continental Type) as a distinct breed in 1960.
Appearance & Coat
The Landseer is among the large dog breeds. Males reach a shoulder height of 72 to 80 centimeters and weigh 60 to 75 kilograms. Females are slightly smaller, with a shoulder height of 67 to 72 centimeters and a weight of 50 to 55 kilograms, but are no less impressive. Despite its size, the Landseer does not appear clumsy–its physique is strong, muscular, and well-proportioned.
The most striking feature is the black-and-white coat. It is based on a white base color with irregular black patches on the back and croup. The head is predominantly black with a white muzzle and a narrow, symmetrical white blaze. The neck, chest, belly, legs, and tail are white in purebred animals. The medium-length topcoat is dense, slightly wavy, and interspersed with undercoat, but not as compact as the Newfoundland’s. It is water-repellent and feels pleasantly fine despite its fullness. The Landseer appears more elegant than its black relative due to its longer muzzle, less massive head, and agile movements.
Character & Temperament
The Landseer is considered exceptionally friendly, intelligent, and people-oriented. Its good-naturedness and gentleness make it a popular family dog–especially in households with children. It is alert but not aggressive and initially reserved with strangers. Thanks to its high social intelligence, it integrates well into existing animal communities. In the family, it seeks closeness and belonging and wants to be involved in daily life. Its roots as a working dog are evident in its desire to have a task–whether retrieving, carrying, or simply accompanying its person. Even though it has little hunting instinct, it possesses a certain protective instinct and occasionally makes its own decisions when it deems it necessary. This independence, combined with sensitivity, requires clear but empathetic leadership.
Training
Training the Landseer requires consistency and patience. Due to its size and strength, it is important to start training early–especially with leash training and impulse control. The Landseer learns quickly but is quite independent and can react stubbornly in certain situations.
With positive reinforcement, clear rules, and close human contact, the Landseer develops into a reliable companion. Novice dog owners should ideally seek support from a dog school or have experience. Early socialization is important to ensure its protective instinct develops in a controlled manner.
Proper Care & Maintenance
The Landseer needs plenty of space–both in the house and in the garden. Living in a city apartment is unsuitable for it. It requires close family connection and daily exercise, preferably in nature. It is especially happy near water, as it is a passionate swimmer. In addition to physical activity, mental engagement is crucial. Retrieving games, search tasks, or simple household tasks promote its balance.
The Landseer is not low-maintenance: Its dense coat must be brushed regularly, ideally several times a week. Bathing should be avoided, as it can impair the protective properties of the coat. Regular ear, eye, and dental care are also important.
Nutrition
A balanced diet is essential for the Landseer–especially to prevent joint diseases. High-quality food with joint-supporting supplements (such as glucosamine) is recommended. Grain-containing or sugar-rich products should be avoided. Feeding in several small portions throughout the day can help minimize the risk of gastric torsion. Fresh water should always be available. A BARF diet is also possible with sufficient expertise and veterinary guidance, but it carries risks if there are errors in nutrient composition.
Susceptibility to Certain Diseases
Like many large dog breeds, the Landseer is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia as well as heart diseases. Controlled breeding with appropriate health certificates of the parent animals is particularly important. Gastric torsion also occurs occasionally–an adapted diet helps here.
Due to its dense coat, the Landseer is sensitive to heat and should not be walked in direct sunlight during summer. Droopy ears promote ear infections, which can be prevented by regular cleaning. Despite its robustness, the life expectancy is usually between 9 and 12 years, although some animals unfortunately develop bone cancer earlier.
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The Landseer at a Glance
- Character: good-natured, loyal, intelligent, people-oriented, alert
- Size: Males 72–80 cm, Females 67–72 cm
- Weight: Males 60–75 kg, Females 50–55 kg
- Coat: medium-length, white with black patches, water-repellent, with undercoat
- Special Features: excellent swimmer, suitable for water rescue
- Care: regular brushing, sensitive to heat, ear care important
- Suitability: not suitable for city apartments or beginners without support