American Leopard Hound
The American Leopard Hound is an American dog breed whose ancestors came to the United States with the Spanish conquistadors. It is a hunting breed that is considered to be a medium-to-large dog breed.
These dogs are also known by different names like American Leopard or the Leopard Cur. They are energetic and can be good family pets for a wide range of pet owners. They can get along great with kids and have plenty of energy to play with them for hours upon hours.
Height:
21-27 in (53-69 cm)
Weight:
45-75 lb (20-34 kg)
Origin:
USA
Life Expectancy:
12-15 years
Dog Breed Characteristics
The American Leopard Hound's characteristics are typical of such a hunting breed. They have an incredible sense of smell and are able to track prey for miles. They are fairly big dogs that have well-developed muscles and long limbs. They are also very sturdy and resilient. The American Leopard Hound is able to work under the toughest conditions, no matter how cold or hot it is outside.
They come in a wide range of coat combinations and the vast majority of these dogs are solid colored. They can also be brindled or “leopard” colored.
Grooming
American Leopard Hound has a dense double coat with a woolly undercoat and a rough outer coat. These dogs can come in black, blue, brown, gray, red, and yellow colors, and they can have brindle, merle, tan and white markings.
Regular brushing will keep these dogs looking their best. Bath your dog occasionally. They will also need other basic care; brush their teeth at least three times a week. Check their ears for signs of infection and redness,), and trim their nails if they don’t wear them down naturally.
American Leopard Hound temperament
The American Leopard Hound temperament can be very different depending on how these dogs are kept, raised and if they are working or not. At home, they are great with children and have plenty of energy to run around and play. They need regular physical and mental activity to remain that way. They are affectionate but not too keen on cuddling and petting.
They can be great family pets as long as their needs are met. They are better suited for families that live in larger houses with yards where these dogs can run and explore.
If the American Leopard Hound is working, it can be a tireless worker that is capable of handling extreme conditions. They are one of the oldest “treeing” dog breeds and have a great hunting instinct. The American Leopard Hound is eager to please, and that is a trait that makes them excellent hunters.
Training and socialization
When training your American Leopard Hound, make sure that you are firm but fair. They are large, powerful dogs that can become problematic if they are not properly trained and socialized. Keep the training sessions short and interesting and make sure your dog has at least a 15-minute break between training sessions. Include treats and food as motivation in your American Leopard Hound training sessions and pretty soon you will see great results.
Like any other breed, the American Leopard Hound needs to be properly socialized, and that is a process that should start as soon as your dog arrives at your household. Introduce your dog to different people and dogs and make sure they understand the social hierarchy. Socialization will ensure that your American Leopard puppy develops into a stable and well-behaved dog.
Health problems
American Leopard Hound is a dog with a life expectancy of 12-15 years. Like any other dog breed, they are prone to some health problems that every (future) owner should be aware of. To ensure you'll get the healthiest possible dog, never buy a dog from a puppy mill breeder or a pet store. American Leopard Hound can suffer from
- Hip dysplasia - Genetic problem affecting hips resulting from an improperly formed hip joint.
- deafness
Breeders
When getting a dog, the most important thing is to get it from a responsible and reputable American Leopard Hound breeder. Responsible breeders will breed dogs that don’t only look good but have great characters as well. You must find a good American Leopard Hound breeder that can help you learn about this breed and make an informed choice about getting a dog with these characteristics.
If you are unsure whether this is the breed for you, check out this FREE GUIDE that will help you decide which dog breed is right for you.
World Dog Finder team
Updated at04.09.2023.
Breed History
American Leopard Hound's origin is not clear, but it is believed that their ancestors were brought to the US from Spain. From the beginning, they were trained to be hunt dogs. American Kennel Club officially recognized American Leopard Hound in 2012
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