Discover the
Legacy
of
Leonrua
Leonrua Kennels was founded in 2019 with a passion for the Leonberger breed. Our commitment to ethical breeding practices ensures that each dog is healthy and well-tempered, ready to bring joy to their new families.
The Leonrua Journey
Our Story
Leonrua grew from a lifelong love of dogs, a move back to the countryside, and a growing commitment to the Leonberger breed.
What began with our first Leonbergers became a long-term commitment to temperament, health, thoughtful genetics and the future of the breed in New Zealand.
The Beginning
A lifelong love of dogs
Growing up with dogs gave us a lasting love of canine companionship. After years spent living and travelling in cities around the world, we chose to return to a more rural way of life — first in Waikato and later in Canterbury.
2013
Leonbergers entered our lives
Our journey with Leonbergers began in 2013, when we decided the breed was the right fit for our lifestyle. Meeting Lyn from Derbyshire Kennels led to our first Leonberger, Zeus, soon followed by Ivo.
We became active members of the New Zealand Leonberger Club and our interest in the breed quickly developed into something much bigger.
2019
Creating a home for Leonrua
In 2019 we purchased a five-acre lifestyle property, giving us the space to establish our breeding programme and create an environment where our Leonbergers could live as part of both our family and the wider pack.
Looking Beyond New Zealand
Building relationships and broadening genetics
Our search for high-quality genetics took us overseas and led to relationships with experienced Leonberger breeders internationally. Those connections became an important part of our approach to pedigree, genetic diversity and the future of the breed in New Zealand.
The Foundation of Leonrua
Keeta and the beginning of our breeding programme
We imported Keeta from Andrea at Vanitza Kennels to become our foundation bitch. Her arrival marked an important new chapter and the establishment of Leonrua — built around our commitment to the Leonberger breed and to breeding dogs with health, temperament and genetic diversity firmly in mind.
The Story Behind Leonrua
What's in a name?
Leonrua brings together our Irish heritage and our home in Aotearoa New Zealand. The name reflects both where we come from and the two Leonbergers who began our journey with the breed.
There is another connection too: rua also means red in Irish, a fitting reference to the reddish coats of our Leonbergers.
The Leonberger in our logo is Zeus (Derbyshire Always-Arana), our first Leonberger and part of the story from which Leonrua grew.