Arthur & Barney

Owner Karen Griffin:

'I have had leonbergers for the last 20 years and unfortunately the breed suffers from Laryngeal Paralysis and  the associated polyneuropathy(GOLPP) which Is an inherited condition most of the time.  

The first signs of this illness include heavy breathing, exercise intolerance, coughing and gagging and change or loss of voice (the pitch of the bark changes).     

Barney developed Laryngeal Paralysis  at 5 years old and had tie back surgery straight away.  

Although his polyneuropathy developed over the years he still managed to live a good life and I lost him at 10 and half years old.    

 Arthur developed LP at 9 years old and again had tie back surgery straight away.   His polyneuropathy comes and goes but still loves his walks in the forest and has just had his 12th Birthday, which for this breed is exceptional!! 

He is still living a good life.    

 For me I will always go for surgery, breathing is vital to keeping the body going and old age is not a disease.'