The Catahoula leopard dog is a hearty rustic breed developed in the American South as an all-purpose farm and hunting dog native to the lush, damp greenery of the South. In 1979, the breed became the official state dog of Louisiana7**. These dogs are sometimes called Catahoula Curse, Catahoula Leopard Curse, or Catahoula hounds. A nod to its place of origin in the Catahoula parish of Louisiana created as a hunting and herding dog for the Louisiana Bayous.
The Catahoula leopard dogs will thrive in an active working environment. They are naturally willful and independent. But they can also develop strong bonds with the members of their family. As determined as they are catahoula leopard dogs will not tolerate rough or impatient handling if you’re a camper hunter hiker or runner. These active loyal dogs can be the perfect choice for you and of course, if you’ve got a ranch or farm and something for them to herd you’ve found your new best friend.
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Top 10 Interesting Facts AboutTthe Catahoula leopard Dog
Now without further ado let’s look at the top 10 interesting facts about the Catahoula leopard dog that you should know before you get one.
1. Origins and History
In 1539 Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto came to Florida where he noticed there was only one species of domesticated animal. The species was a wolf-like dog that had been domesticated by the local Choctaws and other Indigenous tribes the explorers. Then began breeding the native dog with European mastiffs bloodhounds and greyhounds that they had brought with them the native Americans called these new mixes of wolf dogs centuries later. When friends settled around Catahoula Lake in northern Louisiana.Â
They bred these crossed red wolf dogs with their own hounds. This breed became the modern catahoula lover dog which was named Louisiana’s official state dog. In 1979. early catahoula leopards were valued as exceptional hunting dogs who were able to scent trail and tree small and big wild game including Bobcats deer wild hogs and bears. They’re also used to herd pens and catch wild cattle making them priced working dogs.
Eventually, these leopard dogs were in charge of managing entire herds unlike other herding dogs. They used a unique method to get the job done. They would create a canine fence around the herds and farmers would direct the herd inside the fence. The breed was accepted into the American Kennel Club’s foundation stock service in 1996.
2. Distinctive Appearance
The Catahoula leopard dog’s unique ancestry is reflected in their unique appearance. They are best known for their distinctive looks. These dogs are famous for their striking eyes that come in bright blue, green, brown, or amber.
Although some have brown eyes. It’s more common to see glass eyes that are extremely pale blue and almost white in appearance. The Catahoula leopard dog is a medium to large breed ranging from 50 to 95 pounds and reaching up to 24 inches at the withers. Although their bodies are muscular they are streamlined and agile rather than stocky. They have broad heads with defined cheekbones and a long snout housing a mouth with a normal bite. The uncropped ears of catahoula dogs are at the same level or slightly below the top of their head and hang in angular folds next to the cheekbones. Their long tape or tail is often carried high and is left undocked.
3. Coat and color
The Catahoula leopard dogs have a leopard-patterned coat which comes in an endless combination of patterns and colors coats range from single colors such as black, red, and yellow to brindle and double brindle. The variation of the coat color is so high that the two solid-colored Catahoula who are bred together will often result in a litter of brindle or morally coated puppies. The coats are very close to the body and glossy giving the catahoula an almost painted appearance. Although single-coated these dogs do shed regularly.
4. Almost Like Ducks
Catahoula leopard dogs are similar to ducks in the sense that they have webbed feet that extend way farther down their toes than other dogs. These webs came in handy growing up in Louisiana where the dogs regularly had to plod through the swampy southern marshland. Their paws also make them awesome swimmers that can float forever. Catahoula leopard dogs were pretty much built to live in the southern states. This is why they’re also perfectly named the state dog of Louisiana swamps lakes marshes swimming pools you name it they can handle any body of water.
5.Temperament
 Although Catahoula leopards are tireless working dogs. They’re also devoted family companions. Most of these guys get along well with respectful children. When raised with them this breed does best with an experienced dog owner in a home with ample outdoor space.Â
In the right home, the catahoula leopard dog is loving loyal, and sometimes even clownish with their human pack members. Although aloof towards strangers, these dogs develop strong bonds with their family units and can make great family dogs provided. They’re handled with proper mind training their tendency to bark at strangers combined with their strong protective instincts make them excellent.
Watchdogs bred with strong independence trees. Catahoulas aren’t afraid to stand up for themselves and they will let you know when they disagree with something. Male Catahoula can be aggressive toward other male dogs Catahoula in general works aggressively which is a necessity in rounding up unruly dogs or cattle.
6. Behavior
They may or may not get along with other pets. Many Catahoula leopard dogs can be protective and territorial. Some of them do not get along with other dogs especially with those of the same sex because the breed also has a high prey drive. Catahoula leopard dogs might also, chase or harm small animals including the family cat. This is why early intensive socialization and training are extremely important with this breed.
They should have early exposure to different people sights sounds and experiences especially when they’re young and should continue throughout their life. It will help ensure that your catahoula puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog and rolling them in a puppy. A garden class is also a great start for inviting visitors over regularly and taking them to busy park doors that allow dogs on strolls to meet neighbors will also help them polish their social skills.
But despite all the socialization many breed experts still believe that the Catahoula leper dog is not for everyone. This is particularly true for novice dog owners or pet-only homes with no appropriate outlets for the breed’s territorial instincts and abundant energy levels.
7. Training
Catahoula are highly intelligent and fairly easy to train they pick up instruction quickly but they do need to be handled in a very specific manner. This is because they possess an independent streak that can make them stubborn at times. So you must be firm and patient as well as fair and gentle while training.
Your dog’s clear expectations and consistency will go a long way toward earning your Catahoula’s respect and obedience. These pups are eager to please and tend to be motivated by praise. They also do well in agility hurting tracking and obedience competitions that help keep both their bodies and minds active and engaged.
8. Exercise
Catahoula leopard dogs need both physical exercises and mental stimulation to be happy and well-behaved at home. The breeds may become destructive when left to their own devices. They need to be in a setting where they can indulge in their natural inclinations of hunting and herding.
Catahoula will do well in houses with large fenced yards or other places where they can get about an hour’s worth of strenuous exercise every day. So the ideal owner for this breed must be patient, confident, and able to offer the dog plenty of exercise.
9. Care and Grooming
The catahoula leopard dog’s short to medium-length coat is washed and worn bats are going to be strict as needed which could make them an exceedingly rare occurrence depending on where you live. Most of these dogs need only occasional brushing and weekly nail trimming don’t forget to frequently lift the ear flaps to check for redness and ear wax clean the ears with pet-safe ear cleaner. If they look dirty and consult with your vet if they look inflamed or have a foul odor.
10. Health Concerns
Most purebred dogs like the catahoula are susceptible to developing certain hereditary conditions. Although the breed is generally healthy they’re predisposed to a few health concerns, especially deafness and hip dysplasia. A catahoula with the predominantly white coloration is roughly 80 percent likely to be either totally or unilaterally deaf. similarly, puppies born from litters where both parents are more patterned referred to as double murals have a 25 chance of being born blind deaf or both.
While you can test their hearing before bringing your Catahoula home. Keep in mind that while deafness will require some minor accommodations for dogs with hearing loss can be just as happy and productive. as Hearing Dogs reputable. Catahoula breeders have their reading dog’s hips evaluated by the orthopedic foundation for animals and obtain brainstem auditory evoked response testing for deafness
Conclusion
When buying a catahoula puppy from a breeder be sure to ask for documentation that these tests were performed on their parents. This will certify that the dogs are free of genetic diseases that may be passed on to their puppies and never buy a Catahoula from a puppy meal.Â
A pet store or breeder who does not provide health clearances or guarantees alright folks with that we’ve come to the end of our list of top 10 interesting facts about The Catahoula leper dog. if you already have one of these gorgeous canines as a part of your family let us know about their unique traits in the comments below share this article if you liked it for more interesting facts.
