The American Leopard Hound is one of the oldest treeing breeds in the United States, although he is still considered rare both in this country and in others. This is an active breed with a strong hunting instinct and an even stronger nose. He hunts a variety of game, not only raccoons but also squirrel, bobcats and even bears! Because of this, he tends to be brave and won’t back down easily. He has a friendly nature and gets along well with everyone, although does possess a protective nature, especially towards children in his family.
American Leopards can make a good dog for a novice owner provided the owner is very active. They get along well with other dogs and people of all ages, are low-maintenance and low shedding, and surprisingly easy to train for a scenthound. A higher than average prey drive and higher than average energy level does mean that they can’t be owned by just any person, however – whether novice or experienced. A home with a cats, for example, may be riskier with this hunting dog. As with any breed, it is important to make sure your lifestyle fits that of the breed you are interested in!
The often spotted or marbled coat pattern is one of the recognizing features of the American Leopard, however he actually comes in a wide array of colors and patterns! Along with nine different colors acceptable, he can come in either solid, leopard or brindle patterns. A majority of dogs are actually solid colored, which means one can’t count on identifying the breed by “wild markings” alone. Eyes may be dark or blue… or one of each! The coat is always short and double-coated.
The Leopard has a long lifespan for his large size, often living from 12-15 years old. This is a very durable breed, able to withstand both hot and cold temperatures with relative ease (provided he has been allowed to get accustomed to it). Health issues are rare in the breed, with the exception of dogs bred from two leopard-patterned (merle) parents. Merles should never be bred together, as these litters often produce puppies that are blind or deaf. Run far away from any breeder that utilizes this practice! 
Leopard Hounds are not couch potatoes and do require extensive exercise! They are known for their stamina and do better with higher impact activities than just a simple walk around the block once a day. Take advantage of their natural agility and get them into a variety of different exercise routines! Because of their high energy level, they do not make good pets for those who live in apartments. Ideally, most would love a home with a hunter, especially if it involves a large property but they can get by living in a neighborhood with a nice backyard. Most importantly, they need a job to do that satisfies them both physically as well as mentally.
American Leopard Hounds are clever dogs that are generally very easy to train. They greatly enjoy pleasing their masters! This said, as with all scenthounds, they can get easily distracted by interesting smells and must have a good foundation of obedience. Teaching “watch me” and other focus-on-me games will help to teach the dog to tune his attention to you when distractions get strong.
Some Leopards tend to bark a lot, especially if something has caught their eye (or their nose). Barking when people arrive at the door is common, at which point they’ll assess whether they consider the person a threat or not. The bark itself tends to sound very intimidating and will scare away most would-be intruders. While friendly with welcomed guests, they can become protective if they feel the stranger is threatening their family.
