At a glance the quick version
UKC: males 45-75 lb, females 35-65 lb.
UKC: males 22-27 in, females 21-25 in.
Coat and looks how to spot one
short, dense double coat
A smooth-lying coat with a harsher outer layer over a fine, woolly undercoat. The eye-catching spotted leopard pattern is the breed's signature, and eyes may be yellow, brown or blue.12
Personality what they are like
A clever, affectionate hunting hound that is keen to work with its handler. It is loyal and watchful around its own family, especially children, and will use its voice to alert.132
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Very high. Bred as an all-purpose tree dog with great stamina, it thrives with long daily outings, scent work or hunting.13
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The short coat needs little more than an occasional brush.1
Home where they are happiest
Suits an active, rural or outdoorsy home with secure fencing; the standard notes it copes with a wide range of temperatures.1
Company who they like around
Forms a close bond with its people and likes having a job to do alongside them.13
The story where it all began
The breed is believed to come from dogs that Spanish conquistadors took to the New World, which mixed with native Mexican dogs. Settlers later brought these spotted hounds into the United States, where they were used to trail and tree game including bear. UKC first registered them as Leopard Curs in 1998.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It was known as the Leopard Cur until UKC changed the name in 2008.1
- 2
The AKC describes it as one of the oldest tree dog breeds in the United States, able to follow a trail for miles.3
- 3
Eyes can be yellow, brown or blue.2
- 4
Its breed standard highlights stamina and the ability to cope with both very hot and very cold weather.1
Recognised by the official bits
- UKC
- Recognised 1 November 1998 as the Leopard Cur; renamed American Leopard Hound on 1 May 2008. Scenthound Group.1
- AKC
- Recorded in the Foundation Stock Service since 2012 (not yet fully recognised).2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a American Leopard Hound. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- UKC American Leopard Hound breed standard ukcdogs.comused for recognition, history, size, coat, colours, temperament
- American Leopard Hound - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, AKC FSS status, eye colour, history
- AKC: American Leopard Hound akc.orgused for temperament, tracking ability
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.