Dogs are very famous for their different kinds of characteristics. Among them, today we are going to talk about a tree dog very famous for its hunting and tracking abilities. It is the American Leopard Hound. This versatile and energetic hunting breed has various names, such as American Leopard, American Leopard Cur, and Leopard tree dog.
Leopard hounds are famous as one of the oldest tree dogs in America. When they are hunting, they get along with their owners and other dogs. Because these dogs are very familiar with people of all ages and other pets, let’s know more about them.
History of Leopard Hound Dogs
If we talk about their history, Spanish Conquistadors brought dogs to the new world to Mexico, and the Leopard Hound breed descended from those dogs. After that, settlers who used it to hunt dogs brought Leopard hounds to the United States. The United Kennel Club designated this canine as the Leopard cur in 1998. They adopted the name American Leopard Hound in 2008.
Characteristics of Leopard Hound Dog
We have clearly explained some information about the characteristics of the leopard hound breed below. Follow this information to get ideas about their main characteristics.
- Group: Herding
- Size: medium and large size.
- Height: 22 to 24 inches
- Weight: 50 to 95 pounds
- Other Names: American Leopard, Leopard Cur, American Leopard Cur, and Leopard Tree dog
- Coat: They have a smooth and dense coat.
- Color: Leopard spotted, blue-black, brindle, and yellow.
- Life Span: 12 to 15 years
- Temperament: Intelligent, trainable, Energetic, and affectionate.
- Origin: United States
- Puppy Price: Up between $800 to $1000
Standards of Leopard Hound Breed
The United kennel Club (UKC) and the American Kennel Club (AKC) developed breed standards for the leopard hound. Here are some main standards that they developed.
- Head: They have a large head proportional to the body size.
- Neck: The neck is slightly arched.
- Nose: Their nose is dark, like brown or liver color.
- Eyes: The Leopard Hound has round eyes that come in yellow or brown colors. On the other hand, Leopard-spotted dogs have blue or wall eyes.
- Ears: They have short to medium-length droopy ears.
- Body: The body is slightly longer than tall.
Leopard Hound Breed Temperament
Before you invest in a Leopard hound dog, you should know if they have the characteristics and the right temperament to properly suit your family.
- Loyal: They are deeply loyal to their owners and family members and are extremely protective of children. There are strong bonds between Leopard hounds and their owners.
- Energetic: This dog breed has a lot of energy because they are old tree dogs with extremely strong tracking abilities.
- Friendly: They are normally friendly with people, especially children, and like to enjoy human companions.
- Intelligent: Because of their great intelligence, you may train this breed of dog through consistent, positive reinforcement.
Leopard Hound Breed Health
This is an important topic that you should know. Please pay attention to these health problems and take steps early to minimize their impact.
- Hip Dysplasia: One of the primary health concerns for leopard hound dogs is this. If their hip joint does not grow properly, they will have to deal with this orthopaedic problem. So, Care about this issue, especially when they are in childhood.
- Bloat: This is a disorder that can be fatal in larger breeds where the stom Avoiding vigorous exercise right after eating and feeding them smaller can prevent this health issue easily.
- Heart disease: This dog breed can occasionally develop heart issues including cardiomyopathy.. So it’s better to have your Leopard hound checked by a veterinary surgeon regularly.
- Parasites: They may infect these diseases because they are tree dogs. Don’t let your dog get infected with intestinal parasites, fleas, or ticks. So, taking regular preventative measures can protect your dog.
Moreover, they can also contract other common diseases like Eye problems, Ear infections, and Skin allergies. However, regular veterinary check-ups can manage these conditions.
How Does Your Leopard Hound Dog Maintain
Using below several key steps, maintain the health and well-being of your Leopard Hound dog easily and healthy.
- Grooming: Their short, dense coats are low-maintenance. But it should be brushed to remove loose hair. Please get rid of any knots and tangles that have formed and dirt to keep their coat healthy.
- Exercise: Early settlers used this dog as a tree dog and a hunting dog. As a result , these dogs are very energetic. Therefore one of the key things people require to maintain their energy is exercise. They enjoy some exercise like walks, going jogging, canine sports activities, and canine agility. Furthermore, if you mention mental exercises, interactive games, and puzzle toys can maintain their mental sharpness.
- Training: This dog breed is easy to train, and owners can adopt them as good pets. So, training is important to prevent their destructive behaviors and keep your dog’s brain active.
- Food and diet requirements: Leopard Hounds are high-energy dogs of medium size. So you should follow a suitable diet plan, like giving a well-balanced meal every day and giving high-quality kibble and fatty acids like omega 3 and Omega 6 because those foods support eyes, joints, and brain development.
American Leopard Hound Breed Recognitions
The following breed registries recognize the Leopard Hound as a dog breed
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
- United Kennel Club (UKC)
- Dog Registry of America (DRA)
Leopard Hound Dog Price
You must invest between $800- $1000 or more to buy a Leopard Hound puppy. But it depends on various reasons, such as the dog’s age, location, pedigree, and breeder reputation, and it can change with time. Before buying, research and be careful about the dog’s health and well-being.
American Leopard Hound Breed FAQ
These are the main questions that people ask about Leopard Hound dogs.
Are American Leopard Hounds Aggressive?
Leopard hounds are not known for being aggressive but for their friendly and pleasant nature. However, it depends on proper training, upbringing, and socialization.
Do American Leopard Hounds Bark a Lot?
Leopard hounds are very famous as the tree dogs. So, while they are hunting and when they want to be alert about unusual or unfamiliar things to their owners, they bark a lot.
What Is the Difference Between a Catahoula and an American Leopard Hound?
Among the Catahoula and leopard hound, the Catahoula is the larger dog, and it is in the herding group, and the American leopard hound is, well, hound.
Are American Leopard Hounds Smart?
These dogs are smart for their intelligence, and are very friendly with people, and are deeply protective of children.
Conclusion
The American Leopard Hound is a suitable dog breed to consider when looking to adopt a new family pet. They are friendly with people and children and love to enjoy their time with their owners. There are strong bonds between this dog breed and their owners and children.