Catahoula Information/History

The Catahoula Leopard

Catahoulas will hunt both large and small game. They are short/medium ranging, silent trailers. They also tend to hunt alone. In the woods a Catahoula will go out, then circle back and check in before going out again. Average time out is 20-40 minutes. Unlike several of the hound breeds which tend to range quite far out and consequently sometimes remain gone much longer than one would like, the Catahoula is nearly impossible to lose in the woods. Once located, the Catahoula will bay-up its quarry until the hunter arrives. When hunting wild hogs, what makes a good dog in our opinion is one that can stop the hog and contain it without exerting excess pressure which can cause the hog to break and run. When watching a good bay dog you can actually see the dog sense what the hog is going to do next and it reacts before the hog has a chance to do it. When a dog works in this manner the hog is less likely to break and it gives the hunter more time to get to the bay.

One of the Catahoula's most outstanding attributes is its versatility in working. A single Catahoula can work cattle, tree coons, hunt hogs, etc. It is really up to each owner to train the dog for their individual needs. When it comes to traditional work, training is really just a matter of exposure. A misconception about the breed is that a Catahoula must come from "cow dog stock" or "hog dog stock" to be proficient at that particular task. A Catahoula from working stock usually has the necessary inherent attributes to work regardless of any particular "specialty" of its sire or dam. While some Catahoulas do excel at a particular task, it should not be presumed that their offsprings' potential working ability is limited in scope. Catahoulas are also an excellent yet often overlooked choice for protection, search & rescue and law enforcement. Because of their abilities in so many different areas, many owners refer to them as "the world's most versatile dog".

Catahoulas make excellent family dogs, get along great with children, and are protective of home and family. That said, a Catahoula is not for everyone. First and foremost they are a hunting & working dog extraordinaire. Not only do they have the grit, smarts, & agility to hunt wild boar or work rough stock, their abilities in the intelligence department allow them to learn a wide variety of difficult tasks - hence their nickname "The World's Most Versatile Dog". Along with this intelligence comes hard-headedness. Although their devotion and loyalty to their family is unquestionable, they require an owner who knows how to be boss in no uncertain terms. Given an inch they will take a mile, and there is no room for hesitation on the owner's part when it comes to correction. Catahoulas can be aggressive toward other dogs, though while working or hunting this is not a problem. If introduced to a multi-dog situation as a puppy the pack order will sort itself out. However, bringing an adult Catahoula into a multi-dog environment requires both forethought and effort. They are protective of their food, and should be fed separately from other dogs to avoid potential problems. A daily walk on a leash or a romp in a small backyard doesn't cut it when it comes to exercise....they require at minimum an hour per day of no-holds-barred running around, rain or shine, every day.

Average Breed Size
The Catahoula Leopard is a medium to medium-large dog that is well-muscled yet trim and athletic. Their build denotes ruggedness, agility and great endurance. Males should measure 22-26 inches (55.8-66.0 cm) at the top of the withers. Females should measure 20-24 inches (50.8-60.9 cm) at the top of the withers. Males generally average 60-70 pounds with females approximately 10 pounds less.

Breed Color
Although both the coat and eyes come in a variety of colors, perhaps the most striking variants are the spotted or "leopard" coat and the blue eyes, which can range from a bright blue to a very haunting light, almost white color. Eyes can be of any color or combination, with many Catahoulas possessing distinctive splits or cracks of different colors within the same eye. It is also common for Catahoulas to have eyes of two different colors. Coats come in all colors and can be solid, patchwork, brindle, or the characteristic "leopard".

Catahoula History

Different versions of the history of this breed abound. While no one will probably ever know for sure, this is one: The Catahoula Leopard Dog's roots date back over 400 years, to the period of Spanish Exploration of the New World, specifically the Gulf Coast and southern East Coast regions of the United States. On these expeditions the Spaniards were accompanied by "war dogs", believed to have been the Mastiff and Greyhound. These dogs would assist in hunting, guarding the camps, and in battle. Some of these dogs were wounded or left behind and were captured by the Native Americans of the region. It is believed by historians that these dogs bred with the red wolf, a species native to that area. These wolf-like dogs became the companions and protectors of the Native Americans.

About a century later the French, during expeditions along the mouth of the Mississippi River, became intrigued with these strange-looking dogs with haunting light eyes. The French found that the wolf-like dogs had the ability to successfully hunt game in the swamp because of two important characteristics; their keen sense of smell and their webbed feet. The dogs could also easily retrieve cattle which had wandered into marshy areas. The French had brought with them their own dogs, known today as the Beauceron. The Beauceron dates back to the mid-1500's and was originally used to hunt wild boar. In an attempt to create an even better hunter, herder, and protector, many believe the French crossed the Beauceron with these wolf-like dogs. The Catahoula Leopard Dog is the descendant of that crossing.

The World's Most Versatile Breed
The Catahoula Leopard Dogs is the ultimate working dog and is said by many to be the world's most versatile breed. Catahoulas excel at herding cattle and hunting almost any type of game (including wild boar, raccoon, squirrel, bear, and deer). Catahoula Leopard Dogs can also be used for SAR and narcotics detection. They are naturally protective of their home and family, and make excellent watch/guard dogs. Catahoulas are exceptionally intelligent and loyal. However, they are also a highly energetic and very assertive breed and require an experienced owner. A working or hunting home is preferable.

Colors: Blue leopard, red leopard, black, red, yellow and brindle. Tan and/or white trim may be present.

Coat: Smooth and short

Watch-dog: Very High

Guard-dog: Very High, will vigorously protect their owner and their territory.

Care and Training: Minimal grooming. Catahoulas require a lot of exercise the minimum should be a run for a full hour daily.
Learning Rate: Very High

Activity: Very High.

Living Environment: This breed is suited for life on the farm, if the Catahoula Leopard Dogs is to live in city they need an outlet for their abundant energy and workaholic personality.

Health Issues: Dogs with primarily white coats are prone to deafness and/or blindness.

Life Span: 10 - 14 Years

Litter Size: 8 - 12

Country of Origin: United States

History: Catahoulas are thought to descend from "war dogs" (mastiff and greyhound types) brought to America by Hernando deSoto. Some of these dogs were lost or left behind and bred with dogs belonging to the Indians and later settlers

Class: Hound

Registries: NALC, SKC, ARBA, UKC