| History of the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dogs |
| HISTORY The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog evolved in the swamps of central Louisiana, around the Catahoula Lakes. Legend says their ancestors were the results of the Indian dogs, or red wolf found in the area at that time, mating with the surviving "war dogs" or mastiff used by the Spaniards in battle and then left behind, either wounded or captured by the Indians. The first white settlers to the Catahoula Lake area found this strange breed of dog with mottled spots and white eyes, and called them CATAHOULA meaning " beautiful clear water". The dogs were used for hunting deer, bobcat and wild hogs. The settlers learned to appreciate the dogs technique in trailing by wind, baying & herding and soon they had the dogs working cattle. ABILITIES This dog is second to none as a Head Dog, stock dog, having the guts and inbred desire to work wild cows or hogs, but still working well with gentle stock. Lead dogs bark to aggravate the cows from the front; herd or drive dogs circle, give voice and keep the cows bunched; or there is a combination dog that works all positions. The Catahoula can out work and outlast any other breed. It is strong, active, and has natural instincts and a working style all its own. A Catahoula is affectionate, intelligent and faithful. It makes a wonderful pet or guard dog, a stock dog, hunting dog or show dog. They are fearless in nature and can be fighters yet gentle with their family. They are a multipurpose dog, good at home, bust best on the farm. EYES The characteristic of the breed are the unusual eyes, which can be brown, green, light blue "glass eyes" , or one colored eye with one glass eye; or eyes with "glass cracks", spots of white in one or both eyes. The most preferred and striking eye color is the unique "double glass eyes". They develop their own style of working and strive to help and defend their master. The Louisiana Catahoula keeps growing & maturing until around 2 years old but they work like an adult at 8 or 9 months. There are 2 types of ears: crinkled and laid back or folded-over like the hound, but much shorter. These dogs , you will see, have so many different color mixes, some very loud (flashy) and some may be solid color ranging from Blue Leopards, Silver Leopards, Red Leopards, Patchworks, Brindles, Solids (black, red, liver). The webbed toes of these dogs help them walk easily in the swamp lands as well as over snow, and make them excellent swimmers. HUNTING Hog dogs work well in swampy areas, bark, snap and run, working in pairs or threes to circle and bunch. Cow dogs tease, circle and bay until the herd calms and bunches, then they help pen. Coon hunters like the keen eyesight at night of these dogs and a Catahoula-coon fight is something to see! Squirrel hunters use the sharp eyesight, keen sense of hearing and smell. They are good deer hunters as they are short range dog, silent trailer and bay dogs. TRAINING This versatile dog can be trained for almost any purpose. Performance in obedience training, as well as the ability to master and perform difficult tricks, amaze and amuse owners of this dog. Basically, the dog wants to please its master, and this, together with their natural instincts, make training a matter of getting the pup's attention, then teaching them basic obedience. They develop their own style of working and strive to help and defend their master. They work on both sight and sound signals and are excellent obedience and field trial dogs. A kind word and a pat on the head will be enough for the Catahoula to try his best for his master. |
