The Catahoula Leopard: A Native American Breed

The Catahoula Leopard or Catahoula Cur does not only possess an obvious colorful coat but an interesting and colorful history as well. Being a native of Catahoula county in Louisiana, this dog is not only trusted among farms and ranches in the state but of the whole North America as well. This dog is well-known and well-loved for its ability to hunt and track games outstandingly, and stir and guide any herd of animals commandingly.

For this breed, their history started in 1536 upon the arrival of Hernando De Soto and his massive war dogs, the Mastiff and Greyhound breeds. These vicious breeds were used to extort information from Indians regarding treasures and gold in the area. When the Spaniards left unsuccessful with their quest, they left some of the wounded war dogs and the Indians were soft-hearted enough to take them in and allow inter-breeding with the Red fox, the Indians' hunting companion at the time, and the new breed of Indian fox dog began.

When the French settlers came to Louisiana in 1700, they noticed this new breed of dog and were mystified by their mottled coats and strange glass eyes. These so called Indian fox dogs were rampant and popular all over Louisiana and they were known to have great agility and skills in hunting big and small animals. With the French's own breed called Beauceron, they managed to inter-breed these two kinds of dogs and the outcome is the present day Catahoula Cur.

The Catahoula became famous all over America because of its inclination to many well-known people at the time. Some of these people were Jim and Rezin Bowie who allowed their Catahoula to their beds, Teddy Roosevelt who had a Catahoula for a hunting dog, and Louisiana Gov. Earl K. Long who was known to be an avid Catahoula collector and breeder. Finally in 1979, because of its inclusion to many Louisiana historic events, this breed became the official Louisiana state dog.

This great pet is also lucky enough to be judged according to its characteristics and skills and not according to its appearance. Although not as fancy-haired as other breeds, this dog's coat is also beautifully speckled with an assortment of colors and patterns. Some of the common varieties are black with mottles of blue and gray, red or brown with a light touch of red or liver, and any other colors with a touch of blue or gray merle.

The coat does not only vary in color and patterns but in texture as well, such as: slick, coarse, shaggy or wooly. The course coat is easy to maintain but takes longer to dry when wet, and looks fuller and longer than the other coat types; the slick coat, often referred to as the wash n' wear coat, dries very quickly when wet and gives the impression as if the coat is painted on the dog. The wooly and shaggy types shed rather rapidly and grow out again as a course coat or double coat.

Having this breed for a companion prompted a comment from a breeder saying, "You must be ready to teach and exercise a Catahoula. If not, he will eat your house. The Catahoula will not let you forget that you own a dog." This quote is true indeed for the Catahoula is highly intelligent, extremely energetic, an outstanding hunter and herder, and superb family and household companion. This dog has the tendency to be dominant and demanding but they are not born aggressive.

Being an intense and hard worker, the Catahoula needs to express its unused energy in forms of daily exercise, playtime and stimulating household activities. Without any outlet for being active, this dog will develop negative behaviors and may affect its health and the family, animals and people around them. As it grows in to an adult, the Catahoula will have the tendency to be overprotective of its space against other dogs or animals and this often results to violent fights and death but it can be avoided through proper training and caring.

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