Catahoula Leopard Dog

Description: The Catahoula is the ultimate working dog and is said by many to be the world's most versatile breed. Catahoulas excel at herding cattle and hunting almost any type of game (including wild boar, raccoon, squirrel, bear, and deer). Catahoulas can also be used for SAR and narcotics detection. They are naturally protective of their home and family, and make excellent watch/guard dogs. Catahoulas are exceptionally intelligent and loyal. However, they are also a highly energetic and very assertive breed and require an experienced owner. A working or hunting home is preferable.

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This information is from the NALC except for the additions in parenthesis. Origin and purpose: Country and state of Origin United States/Louisiana Used as stock dog, tree dog, companion, watch and guard dog. (Some have been trained for search and rescue, Bear hunting, hog hunting, bird hunting, etc.) The Catahoula is a medium to medium-large dog, well muscled, yet trim, powerful, but denoing agility and great endurance. Temperament: Independent,protective,territorial. May show aggressive behavior. Signs of timidity on leash should not be taken as cowardice, but the intolerance for strangers. (I must add they are great with kids that they "own") Size: Males should measure 22-26 inches (at the withers) Females should measure 20-24 inches Coat and Color: The coat length should be short to medium in length. Color-Leopards are to be preferred and may come in blue, gray, black, liver, red, white, and patched. Trim may be black,white,tan, red, or buff. Solid colors acceptable are black, yellow, red, and chocolate. Eyes: Glass eyes are preferred although the eyes may be of any color, or combination of colors, The eyes do not have to be the same color and may have partial glass in one or both eyes commonly called "cracks". (I must add here the glass or blue eyes does not mean they are blind) Ears should be short to medium in length with the top of the ear being set level or slightly below the top of the head. Properly hung ears with the inner edge of the ear lying close to the cheek are to be prefered."Laid-back" ears are acceptable Head should be powerfully built with well developed cheeks. Skull broad top with well defined stop being moderate in length Muzzle should be strong, deep and approximately equal in length to the top skull as measured from the stop to the occiput bone. The muzzle should be broad at the base and taper toward the nose when viewed from the front. The bite should be a strong scissor bite, with a level bite being acceptable. Complete dentition is greatly desired, however broken teeth are not to be faulted. Neck should be muscular and of good length. Body: The back should be strong and well muscled, level and of medium length. The chest should be deep reaching below the elbow. The chest should be fairly broad with well sprung ribs. The underline should have tuck-up in the loin area to a moderate degree. Feet should be strong and moderate in length. Good webbing between the toes should be evident. Dew claws may be present or removed but if present should be uniform. Hindquarters: The croup should be medium to long in length and slightly sloping with the tail having a medium to high set. The stifles should be well angulated and the hocks should be set low to the ground. The hocks should turn neither in nor out when viewed from the rear. Forequarters: The length of the foreleg should be 50-60% of the total height of the dog as measured from the ground to the top of the withers. The shoulders should be well laid back with an upper arm bone of ample length. The forelegs should be set moderately far apart and the front feet should toe neither in nor out. Gait: The gait should be smooth and effortless denoting agility. Single tracking at a trot is acceptable. Faults: Fly- away or houndish ears Animals either undersize or oversize Cat-footed or coon-footed Serious Faults: Dogs being either natural bobtail or having the tail docked Any malformed or acentric pupil formation of the eyes Animals having either overshot or undershot bites Disqualification: Long or Fuzzy coated dogs Cropped ears All information was taken directly from the official standard fot the Louisiana Catahoula. from the NALC (National Association of the Louisiana Catahoula)