Dog Breed

American Leopard Hound

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Full Name
American Leopard Hound
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Life Span
12 - 15 years
Weight
45 - 70 pounds
Description

American Leopard Hounds can be recognized because of their beautiful eyes which can be yellow, brown, blue or mixed with all kinds of different combinations. They also have a spotted coat that is quite striking and unique... there truly are no two leopard hounds with the same exact coat. The origin of the Leopard Hound is a bit of a mystery as they were probably first introduced by the Spanish, but have since then mixed and evolved with our breeds. They are excellent scent hounds and can track for many miles.

They have a desire to please their owners and can be very well trained. With exercise, early socialization, and a determined owner, the leopard hound can make an excellent family dog. The Leopard Hound loves adventure and can do well in both cold and hot environments.

Origin
United States of America
Bred For
Tracking
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the American Leopard Hound good with children?

    Yes, the American Leopard Hound is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the American Leopard Hound naturally loves children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the American Leopard Hound friendly with strangers?

    The American Leopard Hound is about average in how friendly they are with strangers. They can be timid or protective, but with proper training and socialization can be fine for any household.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the American Leopard Hound friendly with other dogs?

    Yes, the American Leopard Hound is very friendly with other dogs. We still recommend early socialization while the American Leopard Hound is a puppy to introduce them to various new dogs, but in general they are friendly with dogs as soon as they meet them.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the American Leopard Hound like to cuddle?

    The American Leopard Hound likes to cuddle up every once in a while. They appreciate physical affection, but probably won't stay in your lap for extended amounts of time.
    Playfulness

    Does the American Leopard Hound like to play?

    The American Leopard Hound is playful both as a puppy and as an adult dog. As they get older they may appreciate their alone time, and may not be in the mood for constant play, but certainly will have plenty of time for play as well.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the American Leopard Hound make a good service dog?

    The American Leopard Hound is not typically used as a service dog. There are always exceptions to the rule, but a service dog has to have many natural traits in addition to the proper training- smart, patient, and obsessed with pleasing their owner.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the American Leopard Hound good for first-time owners?

    The American Leopard Hound is not the easiest breed for first-time owners, but can certainly still work out if the owner is willing to put the time into training and exercise.
    Training Potential

    How well can the American Leopard Hound be trained?

    The American Leopard Hound can be trained to the highest level and is oftentimes seen in various competitions. The American Leopard Hound is not only intelligent, but it wants to please its owner and is motivated with competition, especially if it feels like it has a job assigned to it.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the American Leopard Hound shed a lot?

    The American Leopard Hound does shed, but less than average.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the American Leopard Hound easy to groom?

    The American Leopard Hound requires very little grooming relative to other dog breeds, their coat is very low maintenance.
    Exercise Need

    Does the American Leopard Hound need a lot of exercise?

    The American Leopard Hound has a lot of energy and getting daily exercise is very important, both for their well-being and for their focus, which is important when you train them.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the American Leopard Hound?

    The American Leopard Hound is very smart. Above-average intelligence means they can pick up on cues and signals quickly when it comes to training. But it also means that they need to be challenged mentally, in addition to their standard exercise needs.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the American Leopard Hound bark? Does the American Leopard Hound bark too much?

    The American Leopard Hound barks an average amount. It can vary widely between American Leopard Hounds - some may be much more expressive than others.
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the American Leopard Hound a good guard dog?

    The American Leopard Hound is not typically used as a guard dog, although they can be alert and oftentimes notify you if there is a stranger at the door or otherwise something to be concerned over.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the American Leopard Hound good at staying alone? Is the American Leopard Hound independent?

    The American Leopard Hound prefers having family around at all times, but can also do well when left alone. The American Leopard Hound still needs plenty of attention, but is independent, and can typically be left alone for several hours without issues.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the American Leopard Hound a good apartment dog?

    The American Leopard Hound is not a good dog for apartment living for several reasons. It is still possible to make it work if the owner is dedicated to plenty of training and daily exercise, but it may be challenging.
    Size

    How big is the American Leopard Hound?

    The American Leopard Hound is a medium sized dog breed. They can range in size depending on genetics, and males are larger on average than females.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the American Leopard Hound tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a American Leopard Hound?

    The American Leopard Hound can do very well in hot weather. Owners should still be aware of over-heating as this is one of the most common reasons for dogs going into the emergency room, but overall the American Leopard Hound can do well in hot climates.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the American Leopard Hound tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a American Leopard Hound?

    The American Leopard Hound can tolerate cold weather well. Play time in the snow or on particularly cold evenings may need to be limited, but overall they can do well in cold climates.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the American Leopard Hound try to run away?

    The American Leopard Hound does sometimes run away. This is especially true if they are distracted, or see other cats or dogs. They probably won't go out of their way to "escape", but a fenced yard is still recommended.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the American Leopard Hound a healthy dog? The health of a American Leopard Hound should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The American Leopard Hound is very healthy, but it is still important to feed the American Leopard Hound high-quality food and to live a healthy lifestyle.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the American Leopard Hound?

    The American Leopard Hound has a lot of energy and this needs to be considered before bringing the American Leopard Hound into your home. Can you give your American Leopard Hound enough exercise? They will need several small daily walks, or a large dog park trip to get all of the energy out.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the American Leopard Hound drool?

    The American Leopard Hound drools an average amount- typically only after heavy exercise or if you are eating their favorite human food in front of them.
    Prey Drive

    Does the American Leopard Hound have a large prey drive? Does the American Leopard Hound like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The American Leopard Hound has a very high prey drive and will naturally chase after any small animals it sees. They can co-exist with cats or other animals at the home, but we would not recommend it without supervision.
    Athleticism

    Is the American Leopard Hound atheltic?

    The American Leopard Hound is very athletic and would be well suited for a family that frequently works out or goes on adventures.
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  1. Hound
  2. Scenthound
  3. American Leopard Hound
The American Leopard Hound is a purebred dog that belongs to the Scenthound sub group, which falls under the larger Hound dog breed group.
Hound group: The hound has traditionally been used alongside hunters to track or chase prey. Unlike retrievers who are bred primarily to retrieve and bring back the prey, hounds were typically bred to have excellent vision, scent, or speed to pursue the prey. Because of the Hound's excellent vision, scent, and focus, they are a common police and secret services dog. Hounds are typically categorized into either "scent hounds" or "sight hounds". Both exercise and mental stimulation is important for hounds because of their history. They want to feel they have a "job" and want to go to bed feeling they have done their day's duty.
Scenthound sub-group: The scenthounds were the original hunting dogs. Many go back thousands of years, and their exceptional scent is something that has been passed down through the generations. Typically people think about dogs using their amazing smell for hunting, but it is also used for drug detection, and even finding people lost in the woods. Certain scenthounds have such amazing scent, that they can distinguish an injured person or animal from a non-injured one. Scenthounds can be trained very well, but may need a firm leader. They are used to working a job outside, so are not the ideal apartment dog.

American Leopard Hounds for adoption

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