The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog, 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. This is a picture of my dog Lucy, who is a fine example of a Catahoula Leopard Dog. ... © The American Kennel Club (or AKC) is the largest registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. ... The United Kennel Club (or UKC) is the second oldest all-breed registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States and the second largest in the world. ... Catahoula Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... Categories: Dog stubs | Dog breeds ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ...

Quick facts

Young "white" Catahoulas with reddish-brown markings

KG, kg or Kg can refer to several things: Kilogram, the SI base unit of mass. ... Pound may refer to Look up pound in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A centimetre (American spelling centimeter, symbol cm) is a unit of length that is equal to one hundredth of a metre, the current SI base unit of length. ... An inch (plural: inches; symbol or abbreviation: in or, sometimes, ″ - a double prime) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... A guard dog, watch dog, or sentry dog is a dog employed to guard against, or watch for, unwanted or unexpected animals or people. ... Young red and white Catahoula Leopard dogs Taken by Leslie Bickel of her dogs Ana (puppy) and Cate-E. Sent to Elf | Talk for use in Wikipedia. ... Young red and white Catahoula Leopard dogs Taken by Leslie Bickel of her dogs Ana (puppy) and Cate-E. Sent to Elf | Talk for use in Wikipedia. ...

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. Mastiffs are a group of large, solidly built breeds of dogs typically with heavy bones, pendant ears, a relatively short and well-muscled neck, and a short muzzle. ... This article needs additional references or sources to improve its verifiability. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... For the Peruvian economist, see Hernando de Soto (economist). ... This article is about North American mammal . ...

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". The Beauceron is a herding dog breed from France. ...

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. Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Edwin Washington Edwards (born August 7, 1927) served as the Democratic governor of Louisiana for four terms (1972 - 1980, 1984 - 1988, and 1992 - 1996), twice as many terms as any other Louisiana governor ever served. ... A state mammal is the official or representative animal of a U.S. state. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ...

Catahoulas are almost always happiest when they have a job to do (working dog). And are not often suited for life as a family pet in a suburban household. Catahoulas make good ranch or farm dogs, as they are herding dogs. This article is about a type of land use and method of raising livestock. ... For other uses, see Farm (disambiguation). ... A Koolie working with sheep. ...

Catahoula lines

There are three versions of the Catahoula Leopard:

• The Wright line was the largest at 90 to 110 pounds 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 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 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] This article is about the U.S. State. ...

"Patchwork" Catahoula with harlequin face, and amber eyes

Some veterinarians say that the Catahoula was exported to South America to deal with feral long horn cattle that escaped into the jungles during cattle drives south from the U.S. in the 1800s. Typically, beaters drove the wild cattle out of the jungle, where the Catahoula would control it by latching onto its nose, until the longhorn could be shot. Reports of even young puppies nipping the nose of owners and children are common. Image File history File links Ch-Catahoula. ... Image File history File links Ch-Catahoula. ...

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.

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. A dogs coat is its fur. ... Merle can be Another name for a Blackbird Merle a coat colour, in dogs. ...

• 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.^[1]

For other uses, see Gene (disambiguation). ... Microphthalmia means small eyes. ... Galgo Español with light brindle coat This article concerns animal colour. ... The Great Dane is a breed of dog known for its giant size and gentle personality. ...

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. (Don Abney).

Red "solid" leopard with litter of merle Catahoulas showing wide variety of coat colors

Litter of Catahoula Leopard puppies Taken by Leslie Bickel of the litter of puppies from which her dog came; Molly is the mom. ... Litter of Catahoula Leopard puppies Taken by Leslie Bickel of the litter of puppies from which her dog came; Molly is the mom. ...

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. Toes on foot. ... Subfamilies Dendrocygninae Oxyurinae Anatinae Aythyinae Merginae Duck is the common name for a number of species in the Anatidae family of birds. ... This article is about marsh, a type of wetland. ...

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. 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. What breeders fail to tell novices is that the catahoula CAN and often are dog aggressive. Most often, the best ratio is one male/one female. Anything above that number can create a scenario in which two catahoulas gang up on one catahoula and kill it. Often the catahoula pup is fine with strange dogs or dogs with the same sex until the catahoula is fully mature at 2-4 years of age depending on the bloodline then all of sudden that sweet pup will be wanting to fight with other dogs. Keep in mind, they should and often won't fight while working livestock/hogs but will fight when on down time. Many rescue people have labelled catahoula looking dogs when they actually have Australian shepherd crosses and what not. If you are taking in a rescue pup, be VERY aware that you might not be getting a catahoula and if there is hard proof, then keep alert for dog aggressiveness when the pup gets older. Spaying/neutering often won't curb the dog aggressiveness. It's bred into this breed. NOT all catahoulas are dog aggressive but a high percentage are..espically if they're from working bloodlines. They can often be very stubborn in being housebroken.

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. A feral horse (an American mustang) in Wyoming A feral animal or plant is one that has escaped from domestication and returned, partly or wholly, to its wild state. ... For other uses, see Pig (disambiguation). ... This article is about the animal. ... This article is about the ruminant animal. ... Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1758) Common Raccoon native range in red, feral range in blue. ... “Black Bear” redirects here. ...

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.^[2] Slogan or Nickname: The Territory, The NT, The Top End Motto(s): none Other Australian states and territories Capital Darwin Government Constitutional monarchy Administrator Ted Egan Chief Minister Clare Martin (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 2  - Senate seats 2 Gross Territorial Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $10,418 (8th)  - Product...

Apparently, they have been introduced in New Zealand as well, but the number of Catahoulas there is unclear.

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. This article discusses the way the word deaf is used and how deafness is perceived by hearing and Deaf communities. ... Euthanasia (Greek, good death) is the practice of killing a person or animal, in a painless or minimally painful way, for merciful reasons, usually to end their suffering. ... This article covers Hip dysplasia, a condition affecting the hip joint, which occurs in humans but is more commonly associated with animals, especially dogs (Canine hip dysplasia). ...

Miscellaneous

"Red" Catahoula with blotches of tan

• 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."

Image File history File links Size of this preview: 681 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1857 × 1635 pixel, file size: 2. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 681 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1857 × 1635 pixel, file size: 2. ... © The American Kennel Club (or AKC) is the largest registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. ... The United Kennel Club (or UKC) is the second oldest all-breed registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States and the second largest in the world. ... A state mammal is the official or representative animal of a U.S. state. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ...

External links

• Central Pets.com

References

1. ^ Abney Catahoulas
2. ^ First Strike Catahoulas

• American Catahoula Association
• Abney Catahoulas
• United Kennel Club- Registration of Catahoula Breed
• Catahouligans Message Board- Ask questions from owners and breeders
• 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.htm