American Leopard Hound Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the American Leopard Hound?

When the development of this breed started is not very clear but is said to have been brought to America from Spain. They were then mixed with Mexican dogs when they were brought into Mexico by Spanish conquistadors. This crossbreed has led to the American Leopard dog breed we have today.

They were trained as herding dogs for chickens, livestock, and pigs. As well as a hunting dog for feral pigs and bears. Which took place in the early 18th century when they were brought to states like Eastern North Carolina.

They were first registered under the name Leopard Cur by the American Kennel Club in 1998. In 2008, however, the American Kennel Club and the breeder association officially changed it to American Leopard Hound.

They were officially inducted into the Foundation stock service in 2012. Which will hopefully be followed by full breed recognition and be included in the Hound group.

Who are American Leopard Hound dogs best for?

The Leopard Hound has high energy. This makes them suitable for households of all kinds, including households with children of all ages.

As they are quite energetic this dog breed should be in a home with an active family. Take them on your runs around the neighbourhood, let them play in dog parks, or let them take part in dog sports.

As they were originally bred to be working dogs, if you are living on a farm in a rural area this dog would be suited for you.

Either way, the owner that keeps them physically stimulated while spending time with them is who they are best suited for.

They are quite adaptable to apartment living as they are not very large dogs. They are also suitable for first-time dog owners as they are easy to train and very friendly.

How much grooming does a American Leopard Hound need?

The American Leopard Hound dog breed has a dense double coat. This good very unique looking dog breed has a coat colour of either yellow, black, red, blue, brindle or grey. They often have blue eyes, white-collar and white points.

Their dense double coat allows them to withstand both extreme heat and extreme cold living conditions. Their outer coat should feel rough, while their inner coat should feel soft.

Even though they have a double coat their grooming routine requires little to no effort. All they need is regular brushing as they do shed seasonally.

Use a natural bristle brush to brush their hair at least once a week and more often during shedding seasons to avoid their hair from getting everywhere. You should be giving them the occasional bath every few months or as necessary.

Do American Leopard Hound bark much?

The American Leopard Hound dog is known for barking. Although they are friendly dogs they were once smart hunters. This means that they are very good at identifying threats.

As they can get quite attached to their owner and their home any strangers or other dogs that pose as a potential threat would most likely be barked at.

They are highly energetic dogs and therefore can get bored easily. This can lead to barking and can be disturbing to others, especially if you are living in an apartment.

They also have a very strong prey drive and tend to bark at smaller animals too. The important thing to know here is that every dog can be trained to avoid unwanted behaviours.

Do American Leopard Hound bite?

The Leopard Hound Dog is not prone to biting. Puppies are prone to nibbling and chewing on things so giving them chew toys will help them to redirect.

If they have not grown out of the chewing and have progressed to biting it may be a sign of stress and should be checked out by a veterinarian.

Training and early socialisation can lead to confident dogs which would hopefully avoid this type of behaviour.

What is the temperament & personality of a American Leopard Hound?

The Leopard Hound Dog is friendly. Not very affectionate but will attach to its pet parents quite easily.

They have high energy and can act out if not physically stimulated enough. They are also very protective and have a high prey drive. Having a house with a secure fence will come in handy as they tend to not get along with smaller pets and other animals.

They are overall very good at interacting with children making them great companion dogs for families. They are also highly intelligent and easy to train.

What is the weight & size of a American Leopard Hound?

The American Leopard Hound Dog is categorised as a medium-sized dog.

• This dog breed's size can be between 53 cm and 69 cm.

• This dog breed's weight can be between 18 kg and 32 kg.

How much training does a American Leopard Hound need?

Training any pet should always try to be done in their earlier stages of life. Starting obedience training when they are a puppy will teach them the difference between right and wrong.

It will also avoid unwanted behaviour in the future when they are older. If you adopt or purchase a much older dog it may be more challenging for them to learn but with time and patience, it can be done.

The American Leopard Hound is an intelligent, high-energy dog which means training them will be easy. It also means that you would need to be creative with the training methods as they can get bored and ultimately lose interest.

Mental stimulation as well as physical stimulation, especially when training the American Leopard Hound is important.

What are some of the most common health issues for a American Leopard Hound?

An American Leopard Hound is in general a healthy breed. They can, however, be predisposed to health issues that many other Hound breeds get.

It is recommended to adopt or purchase from reputable breeders as they would have done genetic testing on puppies for any health problems.

When bringing in any dog to your household it is best to get them checked by a reputable veterinarian as they would be able to detect and diagnose any sicknesses that could be life-threatening.

American Leopard Hounds have a history of hip dysplasia and deafness.

To maintain a healthy dog make sure that they are getting enough exercise as well as being fed healthy food.

What is the lifespan of a American Leopard Hound?

The life expectancy of the American Leopard Hound dog breed is 12 to 15 years.

This is also dependent on their health issues and whether is health issues are fatal.

How much should you feed a American Leopard Hound?

Feed your American Leopard Hound 3 cups of high-protein dog food daily.

This will be dependent on their size and weight as well as their dietary requirements as they have food allergies.

What is the price of a American Leopard Hound in Australia?

An American Leopard Hound puppy can cost up to $1000.