Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Leonberger: Introduction
- Curly-Coated Retriever versus Leonberger: Overview
- Curly-Coated Retriever versus Leonberger: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Leonberger
- The Similarities Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Leonberger
- Size (Weight and Height) of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Leonberger
- Temperament of the Leonberger Versus the Curly-Coated Retriever
- The Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Popularity of Leonberger
- Health Problems of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Health Problems of Leonberger
- Which one drools more, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Leonberger
- Tolerates Being Alone: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Leonberger
- Do Curly-Coated Retrievers shed more than Leonbergers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Leonberger?
- Do Curly-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Leonbergers?
- Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Leonbergers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Leonbergers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Leonberger?
- Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Leonberger?
- Wanderlust Potential: Curly-Coated Retriever vs. Leonberger
- Are Curly-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Leonbergers?
- How Kid-friendly are Curly-Coated Retrievers and Leonbergers?
- Does the Curly-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Leonberger?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Leonberger
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Leonberger. Which One is a Better Pet?
Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Leonberger: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Leonberger? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Leonberger better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Leonberger.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Leonberger is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Curly-Coated Retriever and for the Leonberger. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Leonberger.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Leonberger
Curly-Coated Retriever versus Leonberger: Overview
A very important difference between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Leonberger is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Curly-Coated Retriever is a medium-sized dog while the Leonberger is a giant-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Curly-Coated Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
On the other hand, the Leonberger belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
Curly-Coated Retriever versus Leonberger: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Curly-Coated Retriever to the Leonberger based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
| Factor | Curly-Coated Retriever | Leonberger |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the | 25 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 65 to 100 pounds | 120 to 170 pounds |
| Life Span | 9 to 12 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Average Lifespan | 10.5 years | 11.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $300 – $1150 |
| Average Price | No Data | $870 |
| Temperament Score | 91.7 percent | 96.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 162 | 97 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Curly-Coated Retriever in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Leonberger. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for a Curly-Coated Retriever is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Leonberger is 63 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Curly-Coated Retriever is a better pet than the Leonberger. So, you should get the Curly-Coated Retriever!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Leonberger so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Leonberger
Below is a list of where the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Leonberger are most different:
The Similarities Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Leonberger
The Curly-Coated Retriever and the Leonberger are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Leonberger are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Leonberger
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Leonberger.
Curly-Coated Retrievers weigh 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Curly-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.
On the other hand, Leonbergers weigh 120 to 170 pounds when fully grown. Leonbergers are 25 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Temperament of the Leonberger Versus the Curly-Coated Retriever
The Leonberger has a better temperament than the Curly-Coated Retriever.
This is because the temperament score for the Leonberger is 96.0 percent while the temperament score for the Curly-Coated Retriever is 91.7 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and they are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 91.7 percent, the Curly-Coated Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 96.0 percent, the Leonberger has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Leonberger by measuring the temperaments of 181 Curly-Coated Retrievers and 25 Leonbergers.
The Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Popularity of Leonberger
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Leonberger over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Leonberger is more popular with dog owners than the Curly-Coated Retriever. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Leonberger is 97 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Curly-Coated Retriever is 162 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever
Popularity of Leonberger
| Year | Curly-Coated Retriever Popularity Rank | Leonberger Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 163 | 98 |
| 2014 | 163 | 104 |
| 2015 | 151 | 93 |
| 2016 | 164 | 95 |
| 2017 | 171 | 100 |
| 2018 | 162 | 93 |
| 2019 | 163 | 95 |
| 2020 | 159 | 98 |
Health Problems of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Health Problems of Leonberger
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Leonberger are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Leonberger is prone to more genetic health problems than the Curly-Coated Retriever.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Leonberger than for the Curly-Coated Retriever.
7 health tests are recommended for Curly-Coated Retriever while 10 tests are recommended for the Leonberger.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Curly-Coated Retrievers and in Leonbergers.
Curly-Coated Retriever Health Problems
Curly-Coated Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Curly-Coated Retriever puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Curly-Coated Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Curly-Coated Retriever breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Curly-Coated Retrievers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Curly-Coated Retrievers here.
Leonberger Health Problems
Leonbergers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Leonberger puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Leonberger puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Leonberger breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Leonbergers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Leonbergers here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Curly-Coated Retrievers and Leonbergers
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Curly-Coated Retriever Breed is Exercise Induced Collapse problems.
This is because the Curly-Coated Retriever ranks 1 out of 6 dog breeds for Exercise Induced Collapse problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 145 Curly-Coated Retrievers, 12 of them had Exercise Induced Collapse problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Curly-Coated Retrievers, and how common these diseases are in Curly-Coated Retrievers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Leonberger Breed is Leonberger Polyneuropathy 1 problems.
This is because the Leonberger ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Leonberger Polyneuropathy 1 problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1600 Leonbergers, 22 of them had Leonberger Polyneuropathy 1 problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Leonbergers, and how common these diseases are in Leonbergers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Curly-Coated Retriever and in Leonberger and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Leonberger:
| Disease | Curly-Coated Retriever Rank | Leonberger Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Induced Collapse problems | 1 out of 6 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | 10 out of 32 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 24 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 73 out of 198 dog breeds | 83 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 84 out of 182 dog breeds | 20 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 136 out of 144 dog breeds | 74 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Leonberger Polyneuropathy 1 problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Leonberger Polyneuropathy 2 problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Leukoencephalomyelopathy problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 34 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 38 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | Not Common | 41 out of 49 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Leonberger?
Curly-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Leonbergers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which one drools more, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Leonberger
Curly-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Leonbergers drool moderately.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Leonberger?
Curly-Coated Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.
Leonbergers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Tolerates Being Alone: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Leonberger
Curly-Coated Retrievers can be left alone only for a short time.
Leonbergers do not like to be left alone.
Do Curly-Coated Retrievers shed more than Leonbergers?
Curly-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.
Leonbergers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Leonberger?
Curly-Coated Retrievers are moderately easy to groom.
Leonbergers are very easy to groom.
Do Curly-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Leonbergers?
Curly-Coated Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.
Leonbergers bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Leonbergers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Curly-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Leonbergers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Leonbergers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Curly-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.
Leonbergers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Leonberger?
Curly-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.
Leonbergers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Leonberger?
Curly-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.
Leonbergers are not easy to train.
Wanderlust Potential: Curly-Coated Retriever vs. Leonberger
Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Leonbergers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Are Curly-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Leonbergers?
Curly-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Leonbergers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Curly-Coated Retrievers and Leonbergers?
Curly-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Leonbergers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Curly-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Leonberger?
Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Leonbergers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Curly-Coated Retriever:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Leonberger
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Leonberger that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Leonberger:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Curly-Coated Retriever and how the Leonberger compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever and of the Leonberger to other breeds:
Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds
Curly-Coated Retriever versus King Shepherd Curly-Coated Retriever versus Schnoodle Curly-Coated Retriever versus Sealyham Terrier Curly-Coated Retriever versus Karelian Bear Dog Curly-Coated Retriever versus Australian Terrier Curly-Coated Retriever versus Chorkie Curly-Coated Retriever versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Curly-Coated Retriever versus Cesky Terrier Curly-Coated Retriever versus Manchester Terrier
Leonberger Versus Other Dog Breeds
Leonberger versus Keeshond Leonberger versus Kooikerhondje Leonberger versus Vizsla Leonberger versus Australian Cattle Dog Leonberger versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Leonberger versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Leonberger versus Doberman Pinscher Leonberger versus Norfolk Terrier Leonberger versus Great Pyrenees Leonberger versus Valley Bulldog
Conclusion: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Leonberger. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Leonberger better suits you and your family.