Pien (Usi Maya Ye Akita)

(13-12-1998 - 26-06-2007)

Pien is not with us anymore. Her death was caused by a gastric torsion. She'd been ill for a couple of months. She was suffering from arthritis in her neck and back and her liver- and kidney values were up. Despite that, she was happy in herself and not suffering. Unfortunately it wasn't meant to be and Pien died at the age of 8.

In 1998 I decided to buy my very first dog. After thinking long and hard, I decided a Leonberger was the dog for me. After a phone call to the breed club I got in contact with a breeder and a couple of days later I was the proud owner of a Leonberger pup. Pien was gorgeous, as all Leonberger pups are.

I never did much with Pien. I'd never heard of puppy training so I taught her the basics myself. Thank goodness she was such an easy going dog, so it was never an issue.

At one point I decided to start showing her and off we went to a show with Pien. Unfortunately the judge didn't really like Pien and her 2 littermates and they went home with the qualification "good". Despite the result I decided to try again and other judges where quite taken with her. More information on her show career can be found on the "show page".

I bought Pien with the intention of breeding a litter from her one day, if she'd turn out good enough of course. Unfortunately this wasn't meant to be. I already had my doubts as to whether it was a good idea to breed from her as her first year was not without worries about her health. When she developed a pyometra shortly after her first season, I had to spay her which actually turned out for the best because from that moment on her health improved.

When Mowgli arrived in 2000 and we took her to puppy class, I decided to start some training with Pien too. First a puppy course (at the age of 2), then hunting class and finally even agility. Pien was a star. I'm pretty sure she was the only Leonberger that retrieved pheasant and duck. She even did the tunnel at agility at speed, although it was quite small for her. Pien was a fantastic dog and she managed quite well as the pack leader of 3 longhaired Weimaraners and a Drent!!!!!!!