| As a working dog, Catahoulas have been bred more for temperament and ability than for appearance. As a result, the physical characteristics of the Catahoula are somewhat varied. Their single, short, dense coat comes in a variety of colors. The term "leopard" refers to merles, but the Catahoula may also be of solid colors. No particular eye color is typical of Catahoulas; they can be brown, green, gray, or amber. They also may have "cracked glass" or "marbled glass" eyes (heterochromia), which occurs when both colored and glass portions are present in the same eye. Cracked or marbled eyes are blue or blue-white in color; or, in some cases, may be half of one color and half of another. The Catahoulas tail may be naturally long and whip-like reaching past the hocks of the back legs, or naturally bobtail. Catahoulas have prominent webbing between their toes, which extends almost to the end of the toes. |
| Height: |
20-26 inches; Males: Average 24 inches |
| Weight: |
50-90 pounds |
| Color(s): |
Merles of blue (mostly gray to mostly black color pattern, sometimes referred to as "gray leopard" or "black leopard"), gray, black, white (primarily white coat with some areas of leopard color), liver, red (varying shades of light reddish-brown with darker red or brown patches, sometimes referred to as "brown leopard" or "chocolate leopard", and patched (predominantly white with any color patches); solid colors of black, red, chocolate, yellow, and brindle, with trim colors of black, white, tan, red, or buff |
| Coat: |
Single, short, dense |
| Description: |
The Catahoula Leopard Dog is named after Catahoula Parish in the state of Louisiana in the United States. In 1979, Governor Edwin Edwards signed a bill making the Catahoula the official state dog of Louisiana, in recognition of his importance in the history of the region. The Catahoula is a common working dog of the region, and is seen on farms and ranches across North America. He is an outstanding tracking and hunting dog, commonly used for hunting feral pigs, squirrel, deer, raccoon, mountain lion, and black bear. He often tracks silently, and only begins to make his distinctive baying bark, when eye-to-eye with his prey, once it is stopped. For large game, it is not uncommon for a pack of three dogs to work together. His webbed foot gives him the ability to work marshy areas and give him great swimming ability. Catahoulas are extremely versatile, and have been used in search and rescue, hunting, herding, and agility. This breed is also renowned for their ability to tree raccoons. Many Catahoulas can actually climb trees, aided by their long, hard, sharp nails that help them grip the bark. Catahoulas are also used for herding cattle, sheep, and pigs, by a method of antagonizing and intimidation of herd animals. |
| Temperament: |
The Catahoula Leopard Dog is highly intelligent, energetic, and is very quick; yet they are also very loving and gentle with children they know or have adopted, and their family (pack). They are inquisitive, and have a strong independent streak, and a high pain tolerance. However, the Catahoula is not well suited for everyone. Their protectiveness of their territory and family, their high energy levels and physical strength, is not for the inexperienced or meek owner, and can make having such a dog a problem in apartments and small spaces. This breed will do well in a rural area where they can plenty of space to expend their energy. |
| Training: |
Catahoulas should have obedience training, and an outlet for his energy. A Catahoula must have a job to do or it may expend his energy in a destructive manner, such as digging incredibly large holes, uprooting landscaping, chewing up the garden hose, or redecorating the house. |
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| Health: |
In general, Catahoulas are relatively disease free. They are prone to hip dysplasia. They can also have eye problems, such as tunnel vision, or incomplete opening of the eye, or where the pupil is abnormal. Some older Catahoulas have been reported to have cancer. White Catahoulas carry two copies of the merle gene, creating a double merle. A double merle dog is usually born deaf or blind, or both. Some double merle puppies are born without eyes, or with microphthalmia (shrunken eyes). For this reason, merle-to-merle breeding is unwise. The best mating for a merle is to a solid-colored Catahoula. |
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