Other names/Nicknames:
- Catahoula Hog Dog
- Texas Leopard Cowdog
- Blue Leopard Dog
Country/Date of origin:
- United States
- 1500′s
Height:
- 20 to 26 inches
Weight:
- 45 to 80 pounds
Personality:
- A one-person or one-family dog.
- Very protective.
- Tendency to dominate.
History:
The ancestor of this breed, with the haunting glass-blue eyes, may have been brought to the United States by Spanish explorers. Legend has it that the Indians in the area took dogs left behind when the Conquistadors left, and bred them with the red wolf (though this is conjecture). At any rate, the breeding activity has always been centered around the Catahoula Lakes in the parish of the same name in Louisiana. Both a hunting dog and a herder, the Catahoula is tough enough to herd semi-wild cattle or wild boar into a capture pen and a good enough tracker to hunt down deer or raccoon. It is categorized as a Herding dog by the associations where it is recognized. In 1979 it was named the state dog of Louisiana.
Body Type:
- A compact, hound-type dog.
- The long tail is carried low and is not altered.
- The hanging ears are not altered.
- Has webbed feet.
- The eyes may be different colors.
- Glass-blue eyes are one of the breed’s hallmarks.
Coat:
- Short and dense.
- Any and all colors, including solid, leopard, and patchwork are permitted.
- The markings create a spotted pattern.
- Minimal grooming required.
Health and Wellness:
- Generally robust.
What you should know:
- Known for their athletic ability.
- Catahoulas can climb fences with ease and have even been known to climb trees.
- Obedience training is required in order to keep the upper hand.
- Once found only in its area of origin, this breed is gaining in popularity and puppies can now be located throughout North America and other countries, including South Africa.
