American Leopard Hound Dog Breed Information

Group

Hounds

Weight

20-34 kg

Height

53-69 cm

Lifespan

12-15 years

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About the American Leopard Hound

Reviewed by:

Dr. Julia Brassel

Veterinarian

This unique looking dog is an absolute delight to have in the home. They make excellent protectors and are highly intelligent, as well as full of energy which is everything you want in a pet parent.

The American Leopard Hound, although having a bit of a mysterious history is the dog for every type of household.

This guide will discuss everything you need to know about this dog breed.

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.

What is an American Leopard Hound breed?

The Leopard Hound dog is a pure breed and is known to have Spanish dogs as its ancestors. They are said to be one of the oldest tree dog breeds in America.

They were predominantly working dogs and are known to have high energy. Their exact origins have not been very well documented and therefore means there is very little information on what this dog breed is and how they came to be.

Who is an American Leopard Hound 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.

American Leopard Hound Grooming & Shedding

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 Hounds bark a lot?

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.

What is the average weight & height of an American Leopard Hound dog?

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 20 kg and 34 kg.

Are American Leopard Hounds easy to train?

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

How do American Leopard Hounds behave? A look at their temperament and personality

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.

Does the American Leopard Hound have any common health issues?

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 an 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 they are fatal.

How much does an American Leopard Hound need to be fed?

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.

How much can you expect to pay for an American Leopard Hound in Australia?

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

American Leopard Hound FAQs

Is a Leopard Hound ideal for a first-time dog owner?

The Leopard Hound Dog is very much suitable for first-time dog owners as they are easy to train and friendly.

They are easily adaptable to any type of household. American Leopard Hounds are known to be very attached to their pet parents which is exactly what you want from your first time, furry friend.

Does Leopard Hound suffer from separation anxiety?

This breed is not prone to separation anxiety. However, it is never a good idea to leave your fur baby alone for a long time.

It is important to not make leaving a big deal, this can make American Leopard Hounds hyper-aware of the fact that they will be left alone and can induce stress. Pay close attention to your dog’s behaviour at this time.

Biting, barking and other behavioural signs can show that they may be stressed. It is always a good idea to spend as much time as you can with them before leaving as well as when you return.

Are Leopard Hound hypoallergenic dogs?

They are not hypoallergenic dogs as they have shed quite a bit. Especially during peak shedding seasons.

It is probably not a good idea to have the Leopard Hound dog in or around your home if you are prone to getting allergic reactions due to pet hair.

Is the Leopard Hound Dog different to the Catahoula Leopard Dog?

The two breeds may seem similar but are actually quite different.

The Catahoula Leopard is larger.
The American Leopard is in the hound dog category and the Catahoula Leopard is in the herding dog category.
The Catahoula Leopard has a shorter life expectancy of 10 – 14 years.
The Catahoula dogs are less friendly towards other dogs and children.