Catahoula Leopard Dog
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Catahoula Leopard Dog | ||
|---|---|---|
| Alternative names | ||
| Catahoula Cur Catahoula Hog Dog Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog Catahoula Cur Dog | ||
| Country of origin | ||
| United States | ||
| Classification and breed standards | ||
| AKC: | Herding (FSS) | Stds |
| The AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) is an optional recording service for purebred dogs that are not yet eligible for AKC registration. | ||
| UKC: | Herding Dog Breeds | Stds |
The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog or Catahoula Cur, is named after Catahoula Parish in the state of Louisiana in the United States. Of remaining dog breeds, the Catahoula is believed to have occupied North America the longest, aside from the dogs descended from Native American-created breeds.
Contents |
[edit] Quick facts
| Catahoula Leopard Quick Facts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 20-44 kg | 45-95 lb |
| Height: | 50-66 cm | 20-26 in |
| Fur: | Short, smooth | |
| Activity level: | Very high | |
| Learning rate: | Very high | |
| Temperament: | Assertive, territorial | |
| Guard dog ability: | Very high | |
| Watch-dog ability: | Very high | |
| Life span: | 10-14 years | |
[edit] History
One theory as to the origins of the breed states that the Catahoula is thought to have descended from "war dogs" (Mastiffs and Greyhounds) brought to Louisiana by Hernando de Soto in the 16th century. Dogs left behind by the explorer's party were interbred by the local natives with their semi-domesticated Red Wolves.
In the 17th century, French settlers arrived in Louisiana. They brought with them the Beauceron and mixed them with the dogs that had been created by the earlier cross of red wolves and the Spanish "war dogs".
In 1979, Governor Edwin Edwards signed a bill making the Catahoula the official state dog of Louisiana in recognition of their importance in the history of the region. At this time they lost the name Catahoula Cur for Catahoula Leopard.
[edit] Catahoula lines
There are three versions of the Catahoula Leopard:
- The Wright line was the largest at 90 to 110 pounds (40 to 50 kg) and were developed by Mr. Preston Wright. This line represented dogs originally produced from Hernando de Soto's dogs.
- The Fairbanks line was the next in size at 65 to 75 pounds (30 to 35 kg) and were developed by Mr. Lovie Fairbanks. They were brindle to yellow in color.
- The McMillin line was the smallest in size at 50 to 60 pounds (about 25 kg) and were developed by Mr. T. A. McMillin of Sandy Lake, Louisiana. These were Blue Leopard dogs with glass eyes.
These three lines were crossed back and forth and created the variations of Catahoulas seen today. [1]
[edit] Appearance
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.
[edit] Coat
Catahoulas have a single, short, dense coat in a variety of colors. According to Don Abney, an authority on the breed, the term "Leopard" refers to merles which may be blue, gray, black, liver, red, and patched. Patched dogs are predominantly white with any color patches. Solid colors are black, red, chocolate, yellow, and brindle.
- Blue - This refers to the mostly grey to mostly black merle color pattern and sometimes the terms "grey leopard" or "black leopard" are used.
- Red - This refers to the red merle color pattern with varying shades of light reddish-brown with darker red or brown patches. These dogs are sometimes called "brown leopard" and "chocolate leopard" are used.
- White - This refers to a primarily white coat with some areas of leopard color. White leopards 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).
- Solid - This refers to black, red, chocolate, yellow, and brindle. Trim colors may be black, white, tan, red, or buff.
- Patchwork - This refers to leopards with patches of several different shades in their coats which are white or very light and appear as large patches giving a more blotchy look than a typical Catahoula. A pattern can be similar to the harlequin pattern seen in Great Danes.[2]
[edit] Eyes
Typical of the breed are "cracked glass" or "marbled glass" eyes and occurs when both colored and glass portions are present in the same eye. Cracked or marbled eyes are blue or blue-white in color. Catahoulas with two cracked or marble glass eyes are often referred to as having double glass eyes. In some cases a glass eye will have darker colored sections in it and vice versa. Cracked eyes may be half of one color and half of another. They may just have a streak or spot of another color. Gray eyes are usually cracked eyes, made of blue and green, giving them their greyish appearance. The eyes may be of the same color or each of a different color. Eye color can also be brown, green, grey, or amber. No particular eye color is typical of Catahoulas.
[edit] Feet
Though most dogs have webbing between the toes, Catahoula feet are webbed very similar to that of a duck with more prominent webbing which extends almost to the ends of the toes. This foot gives the Catahoula the ability to work marshy areas and gives them great swimming ability.
[edit] Temperament
Catahoulas are highly intelligent, energetic, and quick, yet are generally very loving and gentle with children. They are inquisitive and have an independent streak. However, the Catahoula temperament is not suited for everyone; these dogs tend to be very protective of their territory and family, and also, may be aggressive toward other dogs—especially of the same sex. These traits, combined with their independent nature, their high energy levels, and physical strength, can make a Catahoula "too much dog" for inexperienced or meek owners, and can make having such a dog a liability in suburban neighborhoods. They would probably be unhappy in an apartment. Ideally, a Catahoula should have proper obedience training, secure confinement on the owner's property, and an outlet for its energy. The ideal place for this breed would be in a rural area where they can have plenty of space to expend their energy. Some catahoulas may be aggressive towards children and others outside of the family.
[edit] Sporting
The Catahoula is a common working dog of the region and is seen on farms and ranches across North America. These dogs are outstanding tracking and hunting dogs, commonly used for hunting feral pigs, squirrel, deer, raccoon and black bear.
Catahoulas have found their way to the Northern Territory of Australia where they have been found to be a superior hunting dog for pigs by breeders.[3]
Apparently, they have been introduced in New Zealand as well, but the number of Catahoulas there is unclear.
[edit] Health problems
As a breed, Catahoulas are relatively free of a lot of diseases. Deafness is one of the major genetic flaws in Catahoulas. A Catahoula that is mostly white, or has a white face with glass eyes, has an 80% chance of being deaf in one or both ears. Hearing in one ear is also referred to as "directional deafness." Breeders are not readily willing to allow deaf Catahoulas to leave their premises and will generally euthanize the deaf pups. Catahoulas are also prone to hip dysplasia. Catahoulas can have eye problems (tunnel vision, eye won't open all the way, pupil is abnormal, etc.). Some older dogs are known to have been diagnosed with cancer.
[edit] Miscellaneous
- The breed is not fully recognized by the American Kennel Club but may be recorded under the "foundation stock service" program.
- The breed is recognized by the United Kennel Club under the "herding dog" breed group.[citation needed]
- The Catahoula is the state dog of Louisiana.
- The name Catahoula comes from an Indian word meaning "clear water."
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- American Catahoula Association
- Abney Catahoulas
- United Kennel Club- Registration of Catahoula Breed
- Catahouligans Message Board- Ask questions from owners and breeders
- Loyal Catahoula Studio- Houla Artwork by Lisa J. Aycock
- Catahoula Rescue Inc.- Adopt a Catahoula
- Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog - PuppyDogWeb.com
- Breed standards for Catahoula Leopard Dogs - American Rare Breed Association
- Abney, Don (1997). The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog. Doral Publishing. ISBN 0-944875-44-0.
- http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/catahoulabulldog.htmde:Catahoula Leopard Dog
no:Catahoula Leopard Dog fi:Catahoulanleopardikoira
