[T.Smith]

What is a Catahoula Leopard dog?

[Tallguy]

What is a Catahoula Leopard dog?

It's a type of hound used for hunting large game. Razorbacks, I think...

[green pastures]

Let's see, how to answer. Well, for starters, they are the state dog of Louisiana and the full name is Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog. The breed is not recognized by AKC for confirmation, but I believe they are starting to allow them to compete in their agility events (other organizations for agility include UKC, NADAC, USDA, and there's new ones starting also).

An excerpt from Don Abney's website (http://www.donabney.com/information.shtml):

The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog once known as The Catahoula Cur is a medium to medium-large dog that is well muscled, and capable of performing a variety of tasks. A Catahoula female should stand 20-24 inches at the withers, and weigh between 50 and 65 lbs. Males should stand 22-26 inches at the withers and weigh between 65 and 90 lbs.

The feet of the Catahoula are webbed very similar to that of a duck. Most dogs have a webbing between their toes, but, the web of a Catahoula is very prominent and extends almost to the end of the toes. This fully webbed foot enables the Catahoula to work soft marshy areas very easily, and aids them in being great swimmers.

The eyes may be blue(glass), green, brown or amber. They may have two different colored eyes, or may have "cracked" eyes. An eye is considered cracked when two different colors appear within the same eye. This could be as much as half of the eye, or as little as a different colored streak running through the eye.

The Catahoula is very wary of strangers but is at home with children. If a child and pup are allowed to grow together, you will not have to worry about your child. You will have a built in baby-sitter. As with any dog, you must be cautious when introducing him to new people. Catahoulas know what and whom they like, and I've found them to be an excellent judge of character. You will not be able to force this dog to like someone if his instincts tell him otherwise. His family comes first and that's who will receive his loyalty." ------

They can be a lot of dog, bred for hunting and herding wild boar, hunting bear, working with range cattle. Instead of being a 'heeler' and herding from behind, they are headers. When used for herding wild boar, they will aggravate the boar into chasing them.

They do need a "job". If you don't have wild boar, etc., (joke-- we don't have wild boar), they do well in agility, and other dog sports. They need excercise-- both physical and mental.

There's so much more, but wanted to get some info to you relatively quickly... :-)

[speed_addiction]

I own a Catahoula. He is very loveable, always hungry and about as bright as a sack of wet mice. Truly one of the best dogs I ever owned.

When I get home from work and let him out of the back yard (my front yard is not fenced) and throw his toys around for him to fetch and play tug of war with a piece of rope, he pay little or no attention to anyone. People out for their evening walks or runs, kids riding their bikes, he hardly gives them a glance.

But when he is in the back yard and close the gate, NO ONE better go back in there unless me or a member of my family is accompanying them. My dad is getting quite along in years and has never really recovered from a broken neck. When a stranger is in the backyard with my dad, my dog stays with in two feet of my dad the whole time.




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