American Leopard Hound

The American Leopard Hound, also known in some communities as the Leopard Cur, is a versatile United States treeing hound with roots in old farm and hunting dogs of the South and Appalachia. It is valued for a strong nose, the ability to work cold trails, and enough grit to tree raccoon, bear, or cougar where those pursuits are legal. The name comes from the spotted or merle coat seen in many dogs, although solid colors also occur. Build varies from medium to fairly large, with an athletic body, drop ears, and a practical short coat.

These hounds fit best with handlers who can give them a job: hunting, tracking, search-style games, or vigorous rural activity. A bored American Leopard Hound may roam, bark, or make its own work, so fencing and recall training are not optional details. They are often described as more handler-focused than some hounds, but early socialization still matters around livestock, children, and other dogs. Breeders should understand merle genetics and avoid merle-to-merle matings because double-merle puppies can have serious hearing or vision defects. Ear care, foot soundness, and honest assessment of working drive are useful buyer questions.

Colors: Apricot, Bicolor, Black, Black and Tan, Black and White, Black Mask, Blue, Blue and Tan, Blue Merle, Blue Roan, Blue Tick, Brindle, Brown, Brown and Tan, Brown and White, Chocolate, Cream, Dapple, Domino, Fawn, Fawn and White, Gold, Gray, Harlequin, Irish Marked, Liver, Liver Mask, Mantle, Mask, Merle, Mottled, Parti-Color, Piebald, Red, Red and White, Red Merle, Red Roan, Red Tick, Reverse Brindle, Roan, Sable, Saddle, Silver, Solid Black, Solid Yellow, Speckled, Spotted, Tan, Ticked, Tricolor, Tuxedo, White, Yellow