Catahoula Bullterrier

Originally developed for hunting duties in the late 1930's by crossing the Catahoula Leopard Dog with the Irish Staffordshire Bullterrier, the Catahoula Bull Terrier never achieved the popularity of neither its parent breeds nor the American Pit Bull Terrier and AmStaff. By the mid-1970's, the breed was officially extinct and, until recently, largely forgotten. In the last decade of the 20th century, the Catahoula Bullterrier was revived and is slowly becoming known in the United States. Today bred primarily for companion life, the modern incarnation is a cross of the Catahoula Bulldog and the English Bullterrier. Friendly and playful with people, it tends to be confrontational with other dogs and has a tendency to chase, thanks to its terrier personality. The Catahoula Bullterrier is very athletic and could have a future in Agility and other dog sports, but is yet to gain popularity. Shorter and bulkier than in the past, the present-day Catahoula Bullterrier is a wide-chested and broad-headed bully.

Some specimens have naturally semi-pricked or fully erect ears, but the majority of dogs have their ears cropped and tails docked, like the original Catahoula Bull Terriers. However, unlike the original incarnation, which came in a variety of lovely merle colorings, today only white and white-based dogs are being bred, already manifesting some skin issues and hearing problems commonly associated with many modern white-colored breeds. The coat is short and smooth, lacking undercoat, making the breed unsuitable for outside life.

Average height is around 17 inches.