Leopard hound longevity

[208houndman]

Has anyone else had physical issues with leopard hounds? I had hounds for years and recently switched to leopard hounds and have had one issue after another with every one I have. From joint deformities to luxating patellar to dogs being healthy and sound one day and lame the next with no apparent reason. I love the way these dogs hunt,handle and their general demeanor just having a hard time with keeping these dogs in the woods.thanks

[Jeff Eberle]

Are they all from the same bloodline ?

[208houndman]

Yes all dogs share same bloodlines

[Jeff Eberle]

I’d say that’s more then likely the problem, the line your hunting not the breed. Just out of curiosity are they merel or out of merel dogs ?

[208houndman]

Not completely sure if all the dogs have merel in them or not. Does merel affect conformation? I was under the assumption it affected eyesight? But I am far from an expert, these dogs are all Black and Tan and range in age from 2 to 5.

[dwalton]

What are the blood lines? I have some Leopards and have for about 10 years. I have had one die of bone cancer. As far as the other ones they look like they should not be able to run with my running dogs but they do. Will they hold up in the long run, I don't think they will be able to in the long run because of conformation. I will always have a Leopard run with my hounds because of what they bring to the race with bobcat hunting. I have hunted long enough to have owned some great hounds but know that it is not the great dogs that catch the cats in numbers but it is the great packs that make it look easy. Dewey

[208houndman]

Do not want to state here which bloodlines as they come from well respected dog men and there is always the possibility that I have just had a bad run of luck. I was just curious if anyone else had seen these problems. I love what these dogs bring to the hunt. It is very hard not to get to personally attached to these dogs as they really behave like pets around the house

[Jeff Eberle]

[SASS]

x2 with what Jeff said about talking to the person you got them from. I know if I was the breeder I would want to know.

My main dog has been extremely sound and my friend and I have ran him extremely hard since he was a year old. But he is built different than most of the Leps I see. Good luck and I hope your dogs push through these injuries and stay healthy for you.

[GCLeps]

Alot of junk out there nowadays. I have a 15 year old male I just quit Hunting 2 yrs ago. I think I'd try a different line and compare jmo

[208houndman]

Thanks for all the responses.

[JTG]

There is some long term issues, like other breeds, when bred tight. Here is some useful information from Mrs. Bowling. http://bowlingsite.mcf.com/genetics/merle.html
In addition there is a great link on the bottom of the page on genetics. I culled a 60 year line, related to this issue. Sometimes, it best to start over.

In addition, the merle gene is why we have liver and blue eyes in blueticks. (Hound x Cowdog cross.)

[VARMIT HUNTER]

I have 2 -1/2 leopard x 5/16 bluetick x 3/16 RW and they just turned 7 in Jan and hunt just as hard as they did as pups just they are smarter now imho the leopard brings a lot of good traits to any pack regardless of game hunted.