Warthog Fu - now that's an image to ponder....
Now, here's something to complicate the issue. Animals are buddhist constructs from Shaolin. Pak Mei is Taoist in origin with Hakka family styles applied. I don't find much in common with Pak Mei and Shaolin derived styles. The breathing is the characteristic that most aligns it with the Daoist origins. The attitude is another.
Vietnamese have applied lots of buddhist constructs to Pak Mei that other branches haven't, just to further muddy the waters.
My interpretation of the couplet is that Sifu can teach you only so much. As any good Pak Mei Sifu will reinforce, to learn Pak Mei, you must make it your own, you must practice extensively to discover the higher level. A roadmap is not the same thing as a destination. You must walk your path alone, or be forever dependent and crippled.
The tiger and leopard elements are the raw agression, the 'rip the skin of their face' element, the total comittment to ravage your prey. Likewise, the use of the hands, fingers, phoenix fist to maim your opponent, break joints, etc.
I've heard it said that the leopard element is the lateral movement, the sok sau, sei ma, etc. Just another thought to ponder.
Guangzhou Pak Mei Kung Fu School, Sydney Australia,
Sifu Leung, Yuk Seng
Established 1989, Glebe Australia