Landlord-Approved Lions: How to Rent in the UK with a 60kg Leonberger

Renting in the UK can feel like a full-contact sport. Renting with a Leonberger can feel like trying to get a lion into a flat-share. Landlords see 'giant breed' and imagine chewed doorframes, complaints from neighbours and a deposit that disappears into a black hole. Your job is to make the unknown feel safe.

This is not about tricking anyone. It is about presenting your dog professionally, understanding the paperwork, and finding the landlords who are open to a well-managed big dog. Here is how LeoLife UK readers can approach the 2026 rental market with a 60kg companion and a plan.

Start with the truth, but lead with the evidence

Do not hide your Leonberger. It never works. A landlord who discovers a giant dog after the viewing will feel misled, and a landlord who says yes to a small dog may not say yes to yours. Be upfront from the first enquiry, but immediately follow it with evidence that your dog is a low-risk tenant.

That is where the dog CV comes in. Yes, really. A one-page document with a photo, your dog's age, weight, temperament, training achievements, vaccination status and references tells a landlord that you are organised. It also shifts the conversation from 'big scary dog' to 'responsible owner with a plan'.

Build a dog CV that does the heavy lifting

Your dog CV should include:

• A clear, friendly photo of your Leonberger sitting calmly.
• Name, age, weight and breed — do not hide the breed.
• Training certificates, such as Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme awards.
• Vaccination and worming record status.
• A short note on temperament: good with visitors, quiet in the house, crate-trained, used to stairs or lifts.
• References from a previous landlord, letting agent, dog trainer or vet.
• A brief note on your routine: how long the dog is left, who walks them, and what happens in an emergency.

Keep it to one page. Landlords and agents are busy. A tidy PDF with a calm photo and clear headings is far more persuasive than a paragraph of emotional prose.

The landlord pitch: short, friendly and practical

When you email a letting agent, try something like this:

'Hello, I am interested in the two-bedroom flat on [street]. I have a 60kg Leonberger called [name]. He is eight years old, crate-trained, fully housetrained and has Kennel Club Good Citizen Gold. I can provide a dog CV, vet reference and previous landlord reference. I am happy to agree to a professional deep clean at the end of the tenancy and to add a pet clause to the contract. Would the landlord be open to a conversation?'

That is clear, confident and respectful. It gives the agent something to pass to the landlord. It also signals that you are not going to be a nightmare.

Understand the paperwork: pet clauses and deposits

The legal side varies across the UK, so always check the specific rules for your nation and tenancy. In England, the Tenant Fees Act 2019 changed what landlords and agents can charge, and pet-related clauses have become more common in tenancy agreements. A landlord may include a pet clause that sets conditions — for example, requiring carpets to be professionally cleaned or asking for proof of insurance.

Some landlords ask for a higher deposit, but deposit caps apply in different parts of the UK. Do not agree to anything that feels unlawful or vague. Ask for pet clauses in writing. If a landlord asks for 'pet rent', clarify how it is structured and whether it is lawful in your situation. A good letting agent will explain the terms clearly. If they will not, walk away.

References, viewings and the giant-dog reality check

Bring your dog to the viewing only if the agent agrees. A calm Leonberger who sits politely in the hallway can be a brilliant advert. A muddy, overexcited one can end the conversation. If your dog is reactive, anxious or prone to barking, do not force a viewing. Instead, offer a video call, a trainer reference and a written routine.

Be honest about space. A Leonberger can live happily in a flat if they get proper exercise, but stairs, lifts and narrow hallways matter. Show the agent that you have thought about it: where the crate goes, how the dog gets out for toilet breaks, and how you manage muddy paws.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Do not lie about the breed or size. It will come back to bite you.
• Do not send a 12-paragraph essay. Keep the first email short and useful.
• Do not skip the dog CV. It is your best marketing tool.
• Do not agree to a 'no pets' clause and hope for the best. Get permission in writing.
• Do not ignore insurance. Tenant contents insurance and pet liability cover matter.
• Do not forget the neighbours. A giant dog barking in a flat is a fast route to complaints.

Case study: how one Leonberger-friendly rental actually happened

Hannah and her Leonberger Bruno live in a rented terrace in Leeds. When they started looking in 2026, they were rejected by six agents before they even reached a landlord.

'One agent actually laughed and said, "A what? How big?"' Hannah says. 'So we changed tactics. We made a dog CV with a photo of Bruno asleep on his bed, his Good Citizen certificate and a reference from our old landlord. We also wrote a one-page note saying we would pay for a professional clean and have the carpets done.'

The seventh agent forwarded the CV to a landlord who had previously owned a large dog. The landlord asked for a video call, met Bruno in the garden, and agreed to a pet clause. The tenancy included a requirement for professional carpet cleaning at the end, which Hannah was happy to accept.

'It was not about begging,' she says. 'It was about making it easy for the landlord to say yes. They wanted to know the dog would not wreck the place. The CV and the references did more than any amount of chatting.'

A quick pre-viewing checklist

Before you apply, have these ready: dog CV, vet reference, trainer reference, previous landlord reference, proof of insurance, a written routine, and a clear answer on how you will handle cleaning and damage. If you rent through a letting agent, ask them to note your interest in writing. Keep records of every conversation.

Renting with a Leonberger is not easy, but it is possible. The landlords who say yes are usually the ones who feel informed, respected and protected. Give them the evidence, keep the pitch friendly, and remember that the right home is worth the extra admin.