When you think of the American Leopard Hound, you might think of a coat that resembles the animal it’s named after! However, while this is sometimes true, many American Leopard Hounds actually have a solid-colored coat. They’re on the large side of medium, with floppy ears and a long, straight tail.
They are very loyal to their people, and bond incredibly well with families and children. However, their strong bond to their families means they can take a dislike to strangers, seeing them as a threat. You can counter this by socializing them well as puppies and ensuring they have plenty of positive relationships with strangers.
Although this is a very intelligent breed, there are some challenges when it comes to training. Because they’re a hunting dog, they may not get along with smaller animals. They also have a bit of a strong prey drive which not only means they’ll take off after perceived prey, but they may have a difficult time with recall. Work on this early, with a high-value treat like cheese as a reward every time they come back to you. A long leash is also an incredible tool for a dog like this.
American Leopard Hound – A High Energy Dog
These dogs are also incredibly fast and spritely, so prepare yourself to meet their energy needs! Although dogs like this can live in an apartment, it’s better if they have a yard to run around in. The American Leopard Hound will also need walks of a decent length every single day. If you don’t, you might find that your dog gets bored, and a bored dog is a destructive dog. If there are days where you can’t walk your dog, provide them with lots of mental stimulation instead. Kongs and treat puzzles are great for this, as it really works their brain to tire them out.