Named the official state dog of Louisiana in 1979, the Catahoula Leopard Dog, or Catahoula Hound, originates from a mix of dogs from different parts of the world that were all brought to Louisiana.
Before the land was taken over by white settlers, Native American Indians in the area used an early version of this breed as a hunting dog. The breed remains most popular as a working dog.
Catahoula Leopard Physical Characteristics
Catahoulas often will have bluish white eyes with a cracked glaze appearance, referred to as “glass eyes.” It is also common for a dog to have just one glass eye, with the other in amber or brown, or to have glass eyes that also have colors within the blue, which are referred to as “cracked glass” eyes. The height of this breed ranges from 22 to 24 inches, and it can weigh from 50 to 95 pounds.
Color(s)
This breed is known for its endless variety of colors and patterns. Although it may be seen in any color combination, it is mainly seen in a solid color, brindle, leopard pattern or patchwork pattern coat.
Coat
The Catahoula Leopard Dog’s coat is single-layer.
Catahoula Leopard Personality and Temperament
Activity Level
High
Positives
The Catahoula Leopard Dog is very loving with family, but may be wary with strangers if it’s not socialized early on. Catahoulas are protective of the family, and make excellent watch dogs. This breed requires daily exercise and enjoys playing.
Things to Consider
This breed is not aggressive but it is a natural leader, which is a similar trait to other herding breeds. The Catahoula does not allow mistreatment and may assert itself in self-defense. Although the Catahoula Leopard Dog is not a high maintenance breed, if it is not given an appropriate amount of exercise and attention every day, expect it to start causing trouble, such as digging holes and chewing things.
Catahoula Leopard Care
Ideal Living Conditions
Overall, this breed requires a good amount of teaching and exercise or else it can be very destructive in the home. It does not make a good city or apartment dog.
Catahoula Leopard Health
This breed lives an average life span of 10 to 14 years. Frequent health issues include hip dysplasia, deafness in mostly white Catahoulas, and some eye problems.
Catahoula Leopard History and Brackground
Although the exact origins of the Catahoula Leopard Dog are unknown, it is believed by some to be a result of chance and some mixed breeding of Native American Indian Dogs, red wolves and dogs brought over by the Spanish. The Native American Indians in Northern Louisiana referred to this new breed as the “Wolf Dog,” which was later bred with a dog brought over by the French, resulting in today’s Catahoula Leopard Dog.
American Indians and later white settlers used the Catahoula Leopard Dog as a hunting dog, especially with the overpopulation of wild hogs in the area. For this latter reason, the dog is also knows regionally as the Catahoula Hog Dog. This new dog breed was useful in herding cattle by creating a “canine fence” around the wild cows or hogs and moving them in the path as directed by the herder.
In 1979, the governor of Louisiana named this multi-purpose working dog the official state dog. The United Kennel Club recognized the Catahoula Leopard Dog in 1995.
By: Chewy Editorial
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