American Leopard Hound
- Large
- Foundation Stock Service
The American Leopard Hound is a large, intelligent working dog bred to tree game across tough country. Sociable and energetic, this versatile American hunter thrives with an active, rural family that gives it room to run.
- Height
- 21 to 27
- inches at the shoulder
- Males 22 to 27, females 21 to 25 in
- Weight
- 35 to 75
- pounds, adult
- Males 45 to 75, females 35 to 65 lb
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 15
- years, median 13.5
- Senior from
- 10.1
- years, about
Senior starts in the last quarter of a breed's expected lifespan, following the 2019 AAHA canine life stage guidelines. Individual dogs vary.
About the breed
- Temperament
- Intelligent, sociable, energetic
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Origin
- United States
The American Leopard Hound is a large dog from the United States, part of the Foundation Stock Service group. It stands about 21 to 27 inches tall and weighs roughly 35 to 75 pounds, with a typical lifespan of 12 to 15 years.
The breed comes in three patterns (solid, leopard, and brindle) across nine official colors and a range of markings. Even so, about sixty percent of American Leopards are solid-colored.
This is a versatile hunter, working a variety of game that includes raccoon, bear, bobcat, cougar, squirrel, and other tree-minded quarry. Tough and weather-hardy, the breed handles both heat and cold well. Intelligent, sociable, and energetic, it is a capable worker and a steady companion.
Temperament and needs
Scored 1 to 5 for the breed overall. Individual dogs vary.
- Affectionate with family3 out of 5
- Good with young children5 out of 5
- Good with other dogs5 out of 5
- Openness to strangers1 out of 5
- Playfulness3 out of 5
- Watchdog and protective nature5 out of 5
- Adaptability5 out of 5
- Trainability3 out of 5
- Energy level4 out of 5
- Mental stimulation needs5 out of 5
- Barking level5 out of 5
- Shedding3 out of 5
- Grooming frequency1 out of 5
- Drooling1 out of 5
Care
The routines that matter most for this breed. Open one at a time.
Nutrition
The American Leopard Hound does well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Match the diet to the dog's life stage, whether puppy, adult, or senior, and keep clean, fresh water available at all times.
Some dogs are prone to gaining weight, so watch calorie intake and body condition. Treats help during training, but too many can lead to weight gain.
Learn which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not, and check with your vet about any concerns with your dog's weight or diet.
Grooming
American Leopard Hounds carry a smooth, dense double coat. The outer coat is rough, and the undercoat is fine and wooly. Beyond a regular weekly brushing, an occasional bath keeps them clean. Grooming time also makes for good bonding with your dog.
The strong, fast-growing nails need regular trimming with a clipper or grinder to prevent overgrowth, splitting, and cracking. Check the ears regularly to clear any buildup of wax and debris, and brush the teeth regularly too.
Exercise
American Leopard Hounds are an energetic breed with energy to spare, so they do well as part of an active, rural family. Good outlets include play in a fenced backyard or walks several times a day.
Exercise can also come indoors through hide-and-seek, chasing a ball rolled along the floor, or teaching new tricks. Training for dog sports such as agility, obedience, and rally gives them another way to work off energy and keep their minds busy.
Training
American Leopard Hounds are eager to please, which makes them easy to train. Bred to hunt, they are known for stamina, focus, and agility.
As a scenthound, they tend to follow their nose and wander off, so it is important to train them to listen and respond to commands. Their sociable nature and intelligence support steady, consistent training.
Sources
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