About the Catahoula Leopard Dog

The Catahoula is said to have descended from Mastiffs and Greyhounds brought to Louisiana in the 16th century, by Hernando de Soto. Local natives bred the dogs left behind by the explorers with there somewhat domesticated Red Wolves. This cross breeding produces a spotted hybrid, which was found mainly around Catahoula Lake, in central Louisiana.

This breed is a common working dog. They are great for rounding up pigs and cattle, that have gotten lose, as well as for hunting and tracking. They are protective, territorial and extremely agile. Catahoulas are independent, highly intelligent, and very quick, yet are also very loving and gently with both adults and children.

The word Catahoula is a combination of two Choctam word. 'Okhata', meaning lake and 'hullo' meaning beloved.

Governor Edwin Edwards signed a bill in 1979, making the Catahoula the official Louisiana state dog. At this time they gained the name Catahoula Leopard after Catahoula Parish.

There are three versions of the Catahoula Leopard:

1. The largest at 90 to 110 pounds are the Write line, developed by Mr. Preston Wright. Dogs of this line represents those originally produced by the Soto's dogs.

2. Developed by Mr. Lovie Fairbank, is the Fairbanks line. Dogs of this line were yellow and brindle in color and ranged from 65 to 75 pounds.

3. The smallest were the McMillin line weighing 50 to 60 pounds. Developed by Mr. T. A. McMillin, these Blue Leopard dogs with glass eyes.

The versions of the Catahoulas seen today, is are these three lines crossed back and forth along with a few others brought from France and Italy.

The Catahoulas coat is a short single coat, in a black/tan pattern or may be blue, gray, liver, red or patched. Solid colors are brindle, red, yellow, black and chocolate.

The eye's of the Catahoulas complement the coat color. The breeds eyes are mainly "cracked glass" or "marbled glass". This occurs when both colored and glass portions are present in the same eye. They are blue or blue/white or gray in color. Catahoulas eye color can also be brown, green or amber.

The Catahoulas skull and flat and broad, they have strong and solid legs and a deep chest. There feet are webbed, like that of a duck, this gives them great swimming ability.

Grooming is minimal, because of the single short coat. A bath a few times a year, and regular brushing will do just fine. Unless stresses or nervous their will be little shedding will Keep there nails trimmed and there teeth clean.

Exercise is a must for this breed, they are energetic and will start chewing on stuff, barking and digging, if not given the chance to run around.

Catahoulas are prone to deafness, hip dysplasia and eye problems such as tunnel vision. Older dogs of this breed have been known to get cancer, but for the most part, they are relatively free of most diseases.

The life expectancy of a Calahoula Leopard Dog is right around 12 to 14 years.

sources:

catahulaleopard.com

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