Leonberger

Good Practice schemes and tests

We strongly recommend that breeders, at a minimum, conduct these tests before breeding, as evidence indicates these conditions are a significant concern in the breed.

• Prioritising genetic diversity
• Elbow testing (for elbow dysplasia) using the BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme
• Eye testing (and gonioscopy for PLA) using the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
• Hip testing (for hip dysplasia) using the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme

Best Practice schemes and tests

These tests address conditions that are still significant for the breed, though they may not be as critical as those listed under Good Practice. They might be less common or newly identified, and research is ongoing to determine their full impact.

To support the breed’s health, responsible breeders should ensure they complete all tests in both categories. Following our Best Practice guidelines means completing both the Good Practice and Best Practice tests for your breed.

• Laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy (LPPN3) - Find a list of tested dogs here
• Leonberger polyneuropathy (LPN1) - Find a list of tested dogs here
• Leonberger polyneuropathy (LPN2) - Find a list of tested dogs here
• Leukoencephalomyelopathy (LEMP) - Find a list of tested dogs here

This breed can be affected by conformational concerns, more information can be found here

Click here to find out more about The Kennel Club's health standard

Find out about a particular dog's results

Please visit our Health Test Results Finder to discover the DNA or screening scheme test results for any dog on The Kennel Club's Breed or Activity Register.

You can also view the inbreeding coefficient calculation for a puppy's parents, or for a dog you're thinking of breeding from.

To support your health testing journey, we offer a breed-specific package tailored to your breed's unique health needs. This package provides important information about potential health risks, helping you make informed decisions. Click here to find out more and access the tests relevant to your breed

Throughout 2025 we ran a major review of our pedigree dog health work, from which we have developed a new model called the breeding for health framework.

This framework covers all aspects of health and welfare that should influence breeding decisions for any breed or type of dog, building on from our previous Breed Health and Conservation Plans, and is broken down into three main areas of health:

• inbreeding/ genetic diversity
• conformation
• breed-related disease/ wellbeing

By applying the breeding for health framework, we can group all the breeds that share a certain issue together, so that we can provide targeted support and breed communities can share relevant experiences and expertise. All previous actions and priorities from the Breed Health and Conservation Plans are being transitioned into the new framework.

You can read more about the breeding for health framework here, and watch this space as we update and progress this framework to apply to your breed

Have any questions about health in your breed?

If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.

Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed. They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.

To contact your breed health co-ordinator please email 

There are not currently any additional breed specific restrictions in place for this breed.

There are not currently any additional breed specific restrictions in place for this breed.