Catahoula Leopard Dog

Catahoula Leopard Dog

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is reputed to be the only true Native American breed.

History:

The Catahoula Leopard Dog, or Catahoula Hog Dog, or Leopard Stock Dog as it is also known, takes its official name from the Parish of Catahoula in Louisiana in America. Records show that the Spanish traveled through Louisiana before it was so named, and traded hogs and corn to the Native Indians. They also had with them dogs of the same breed as the modern Great Dane, which at the time were renowned hunters of boar. These dogs were left with the Indians and developed by natural selection into the breed that we know today.

By 1570, the Indians were using these dogs to find wild hogs so that they could mark them. The dogs would find the hogs and then bay to alert the Indians of the find. There were few pure-bred Catahoulas left by the 1950s and so three interested men set up a registry, and worked to promote and preserve the breed. Some people took advantage of this to register dogs that were the right color, or mixed breeds, and the Catahoula developed a bad reputation from these irresponsible dealings. Despite this bad publicity, the Catahoula Leopard Dog was adopted as the state dog of Louisiana in 1979.

Physical characteristics:

Unlike most herding breeds, the Catahoula closely resembles a hound. Height: 20 - 28 in (51 - 71 cm). Weight: 40 - 100 lb (18 - 45 kg). It is not a large-bodied breed, but is more lithe and agile, although still muscular and strong. Its short coat is very dense to withstand the rough bush through which it must pursue the stock. It can come in any color imaginable, but the best known coat color is the blue and gray base with black spots, white toes and chest, and tan markings on the legs and face. It can also have blue, brown or particolored eyes, or a combination of these.

Behavior:

The Catahoula Leopard takes its confidence from its large athletic build. Over many generations, this noble-spirited animal has developed into a good working dog.. Although its original purpose was for use as a herding dog, it was discovered to also be a reliable watch-dog.