Information, Facts & Origins of the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Breed
The Catahoula
Leopard originates from America and was bred originally for
Herding and hunting. It's origins can be dated back to antiquity
and its descendents are believed to be the mastiffs and
greyhounds. Its hunting capabilities are legion and it has been
used to hunt both large and small game. The name often causes
confusion and people tend to think that its descendents are
African or Asian but in fact the truth is less exotic - the
Catahoula Leopards are popularly bred to have spots like a
leopard, hence the name! This dog is classified as one of the
Herding Dog Group which we go on to describe in detail in the
section at the bottom of this page. The Catahoula Leopard is not
currently Registered by the AKC (American Kennel Club) and is
therefore in the category of dogs termed Unrecognised & Rare
Breeds.
History &
Origins of the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Breed
The American
origins and history of the Catahoula Leopard dates back to the
1500's when its descendents (the mastiff and greyhound) were
believed to have been breed with the Louisiana Red Wolf. It was
therefore originally called the Louisiana Catahoula Cur. This name
was changed when, in 1979, the Governor of Louisiana signed a bill
establishing it as the Louisiana State Dog - the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog. Its unusual history explains the following
facts -
Name Facts and Dog Names: This dog's name is commonly mis-spelt as the Catahola
Leopard, the Catahoula Lepard and the catahoula leoperd dog. It is
sometimes referred to as the Catahoula Cur, the Catahoula Hound
and the Catahoula Bulldog and the Hog Dog.
Description of the Catahoula Leopard Character and Temperament
The Herding dogs, such as the Catahoula Leopard or Catahoula Cur
Dogs, are medium to large in size. They are intelligent, active,
courageous, and determined dogs who make excellent companions and
respond well to firm training. Their instincts are very strong and
given half a chance they will try to herd, or round up, the
family. They enjoy work and look to their owners to provide
tasks to enable them to meet their instincts and be rewarded
accordingly.
Dog &
Puppies Health info - potential problems of the Louisiana Catahoula
Leopards
All owners of
dogs and puppies are concerned about the health care of their pets
and just as with humans dog health issues arise from time to time.
Resolving dog health problems, including those of the Catahoula
Leopard Dog, can prove to be costly and it would be wise to
consider the benefits of obtaining dog health insurance. Diseases
in dogs may occur because of trauma, infection, immune system
abnormalities, genetic factors, or degenerative conditions. Common
health problems and questions occur in relation to the Bones,
Joints, Muscles, Nerves, Ears, Eyes, Teeth and the Mouth. Other,
more serious, issues can relate to the Digestive System, Heart &
Respiratory Systems, Immune & Blood Systems, Reproduction and
Urinary Systems. Potential health problems of the Catahoula
Leopard Dog can include:
Hip dysplasia
(abnormal development of hip joints)
Eye Problems
Online
Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems Please click the following link for additional
information which we have provided via our:
This describes the most common canine health problems concisely but simply without using medical jargon. A section on Dog and Puppy Vaccinations is also included offering information on each of the diseases, symptoms and effects for which immunization vaccines are available. Not sure of the name of the dog or puppy illness? A Dog Symptom Sorter is also featured. The Online Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems should only be used as an informational guide and when and if any dog or puppies health problems occur it is essential to raise any questions you may have with a Dog Health care professional.
Information on Grooming and Care of the Catahoula Leopard Dog
Breed
The Catahoula
Leopard Dog
requires weekly care and grooming. All dog breeds require a
certain amount of grooming and care is necessary to keep dogs and
puppies looking at their best. Grooming consists of not only
brushing out the coat and bathing but also giving attention to the
eyes, teeth, ears, feet and nails. A regular routine also ensures
that any potential health problems are identified as quickly as
possible, especially important in puppies and older Catahoula
Leopard Dogs.
Life Expectancy information of the Catahoula Leopard Dog Breed
The life
expectancy for this particular breed is 10 – 12 years.
Age comparison between the Catahoula Leopard Dog Breed and a Human
Age
comparisons between dogs and humans are always a matter of debate
- we hope that the following information clarifies the situation.
After the first year of life, a dog is equivalent to sixteen human
years. After two years, they are equivalent to a 24 year old, at
three years a 30 year old, and each year after, add 5 human years
to determine a dog's age.
The Pictures reflect the Size of Adults - not Children and
Puppies!
The pictures above allow for a useful comparison of sizes
providing an accurate portrait of the size of an average Catahoula
Leopard Dog
- essential information but unique to this site. It should also be
noted that the pictures feature adults. The size of puppies are
naturally considerably smaller and the full grown size of the
animal can easily be forgotten when confronted with cute puppies!
The slogan " A dog isn't just for Christmas - it's for life!" was
necessitated by well meaning people buying puppies at the
Christmas, unaware of the puppies growth rate. The pictures
provided make it extremely clear exactly how small puppies will
develop and whether it will suit the life and living conditions of
the family.
Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog - Puppies Info and Names
The
Puppies section, accessed via the Site Index, provides detailed
information about Choosing the right puppy, Puppy Training, Puppy
Care and Puppy Behavior, Growth & Development. We recommend that
the following considerations should always be taken into account
when choosing puppies:
Budget - Purchasing, training, equipment, medication and
feeding costs of the breed
Convenience and Grooming time e.g. long or short hair
Personal situation - time available and medical conditions
such as allergies, asthma or back pain
Exercising requirements for the Catahoula Leopards Dog breed
Living Conditions for the dog breed - suitability for puppies
Family - child suitability
Herding
Dog Breed Information
Dogs in the Herding Group ( sometimes referred to as the Pastoral
Group ) include the Catahoula Leopard, were developed to perform a
variety of tasks relating mainly to the herding of livestock. The
types of livestock that these dogs are associated with are quite
diverse and include sheep, cattle, reindeer and any other cloven
footed animals. The Herding groups of dogs are eminently suited to
these pastoral tasks as many of the breeds have a weatherproof
double coat to protect them from the elements when working in
severe weather conditions.
Their natural abilities have been fully recognised and the initial
livestock herding function have been extended
to include police work and Search & Rescue amongst other duties.
Herding
Dog Breed Duties and Tasks
Characteristics and features of Herding Dogs, including the
Catahoula Leopard, have been introduced and strengthened by
breeding with animals who already demonstrated the desired traits.
Breeding for appearance was only introduced in the 19th Century.
Before this time dogs and puppies were bred to increase useful
abilities and traits helpful for the duties they were intended
for. Herding Group dogs
share the amazing ability to control the movement of other
animals. They also have great stamina reserves which allow them to
work from dawn to dusk. The dogs are tenacious creatures who have
the ability to herd animals such as cattle which are many times
their size. They leap, run around frantically and nip at the heels
of any animals that they are herding. Add this behaviour to
aggressive barking and steely eye contact and their ability to
influence much larger animals is fully understood.
Thus, the various Herding breeds, including the Catahoula
Leopard, were bred and introduced to help man according to his
specific requirements such as:
Herding or Droving various animals including cattle and
reindeer
Police work
Tracking
Providing a service to handicapped owners
Performing
Search & Rescue
Acting as sentries and couriers
for the Armed Forces
In this day and age not every Catahoula Leopard might be called to
undertake these tasks, but nevertheless, they still harbour the
skills and characteristics that made the original Catahoula
Leopard breeding program successful.
Examples of other Unrecognised & Rare Breeds
The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard
belongs to the Herding Group of dogs but is currently Unrecognised
by the AKC. Other Unrecognised & Rare Breeds that have been
featured on this site include the following:
Other Unrecognised & Rare Breeds that have been featured on this
site include the following: Tibetan Mastiffs, Dogue de Bordeaux,
Hovawarts, Patterdale Terriers, Alaskan Klee Kai, Bandogs,
Boerboels, Chinese Foo Dog, Catahoula Leopards, New Guinea Singing
Dog, Shikokus, Tosa Inus, Rat Terriers and Thai Ridgebacks. Name Facts and Dog Names: This dog's name is commonly
mis-spelt as the Catahola Leopard, the Catahoula Lepard and the
catahoula leoperd dog. It is sometimes referred to as the
Catahoula Cur, the Catahoula Hound and the Catahoula Bulldog and
the Hog Dog. Details and information about all of the above
Unrecognised and Rare breeds may be found via the following links:
