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American leopard hound

The American Leopard Hound is one of the oldest treeing breeds in the United States, thought to descend from dogs brought by Spanish colonists and developed in the American South for hunting game up trees.

It takes its name from its mottled merle coat.

It stands 51 to 69 centimetres, weighs 16 to 32 kilograms and lives twelve to fifteen years. It is a hardy working hound with strong drive and stamina. The merle coat is the one genetic point every buyer needs, because merle is a gene that must never be doubled: two merle parents can produce puppies with two copies, and those dogs are frequently deaf, blind or both.

Origin
American South; among the oldest US treeing breeds
Size
51–69 cm; 16–32 kg
Lifespan
12–15 years
Coat
Short and dense, often merle-patterned
Genetics
Merle must never be bred to merle — double merles are deaf or blind
Exercise
High; a working hound that needs a job

Related: Afghan hound · American bulldog · American bully · American English coonhound · American eskimo dog

2 american leopard hound photos, newest first

  • Otter, a american leopard hound

    Otter

    Otter was promoted to lifeguard supervising a paddling pool for rubber ducks; unfortunately, a mountain of carrots blocks the doorway.

    FrostyOtter · 1 week ago

  • Otter, a american leopard hound

    Otter

    Otter has opinions about the weather.

    GentleFinch · 2 weeks ago

Living with a american leopard hound

Never breed merle to merle, and ask what colour both parents were. Double merle puppies — often mostly white — are commonly born deaf, blind or with malformed eyes. It is entirely avoidable and it is the single most important question to ask about any merle breed.

They are working hounds with real stamina and drive, and they need hard exercise and preferably scent or tracking work.

Recall is limited once a scent is found. Secure fencing.

The short coat is easy — a weekly brush — and the ears need regular checking.

Ask for hip evaluations, and for a hearing test on any predominantly white puppy.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.

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