Catahoula Leopard Dog vs. American Leopard Dog: Can You Tell Them Apart?

In the last breed comparison blog, we discussed the Shih Tzu and the Lhasa Apso. This time, we will consider the similarities and differences between the Catahoula Leopard Dog vs. the American Leopard Hound. Let’s take a look!

A Brief History of the Catahoula Leopard Dog

The ancestors of today’s Catahoula Leopard Dog breed existed throughout the Southeast for centuries. Archeological evidence and genetic studies have shown that Native Americans kept dogs in and around their settlements. These dogs were found to have similar genetic markers to those of ancient domesticated Asian and European dogs. It was believed that these dogs were eventually crossed with the earliest dogs brought by Spanish explorers who were part of Hernando de Soto’s expedition in the mid-1500s. The dogs they brought were large and powerful “war dogs,” but they were likely used to manage vast herds of pigs. Following de Soto’s death on the Mississippi River between Arkansas and Louisiana, the expedition moved west toward Mexico City, leaving behind some of the dogs and hogs.

In the nineteenth century, French settlers’ dogs were believed to have included the ancestral relatives of the Beauceron breed, which would account for the introduction of the merle genetics found in the breed today. The breed gets its namesake from Catahoula Parish, in Louisiana, where the dogs were found in abundance. Catahoula Parish is named after Catahoula Lake, which was originally called “Catoola,” the Tensas Native American word for “big clear lake.”

Throughout history, Catahoula Leopard Dogs have been valued for their versatility—a trait that breeders still strive for today. They are still used as stock dogs, bay dogs, catch dogs for hogs, tree dogs, hunting dogs, and protectors of property and companions. In 1979, the Catahoula Leopard Dog was named the official state dog of Louisiana.

A Brief History of the American Leopard Hound

The American Leopard Hound is named after their coloration, which describes the merle pattern in both the Leopard Cur and the Catahoula Leopard Dog breeds. It is believed that the American Leopard Hound's ancestors were first brought to the Southeastern United States on the ships of Spanish conquistadors and French explorers in the mid-1500s, which brought with them their Spanish and French guard dogs, hounds, and herding dogs, including those ancestors shared by the merle-colored Beauceron. These dogs provided settlers and explorers with protection and food by serving as sentries and alerting their owners to oncoming native tribes. They also served as hunting partners, locating various types of game. As early Americans began to colonize, settlers from all over the world also brought their dogs, which added to the genes and talents of these dogs.

These dogs eventually made their way toward the Mason-Dixon line, where they were included in Coonhound breeding programs due to their preference for tree game. Following the Civil War, the dogs were then taken westward throughout Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma, where they proved to be invaluable to homesteads. Their noses were excellent enough to trail, and they were gritty enough to engage, making them ideal hunting candidates for large and dangerous game animals. In the 1950s, a trio of American hound breeders decided to help the breed distinguish itself from other curs and hounds and set out to establish a standard and association of all their own. From there, pure strains were preserved and continue to thrive throughout America’s rural parts.

Similarities and Differences 

The Catahoula Leopard Dog breed is known for its assertive, protective, and independent nature. They have an inborn wariness of strangers. Because Catahoula Leopard Dogs are still bred as working dogs. Their natural drives and instincts are especially high. They are hard-working, brave, and intelligent, capable of making quick decisions when herding hogs or cows. 

Their coats range from short to medium. They are close to the body throughout. The texture is harsh and glossy, and they may have an undercoat. If an undercoat is present, the coat will be slightly longer (medium length) on the neck, forming a light ruff, and on the tail. 

The coats for these dogs can be very unique. They come in solid colors of any variety or shade of black, blue, gray, liver, chocolate, Isabella, silver, tan, red, and white. They also come in black, blue, gray, liver, chocolate, Isabella, and silver merle (referred to as “leopard”), all with or without tan points. All color patterns may have varying degrees of white markings. All coat colors are accepted equally. Large patches or amounts of white indicating homogenous merle genotype/phenotype are undesirable and should be avoided in breeding programs.

As for the American Leopard Hounds, they are primarily utilized as working dogs. They are bred to be exceptional hunters and catch dogs. Consequently, they tend to be highly driven to perform these duties, which can become problematic if matched to non-working or non-hunting families that do not allow the breed to exercise its natural instincts, drives, and energy. With a history that includes guard work as well as engaging prey and quarry as a catch-dog, these are not typical hound dogs. They are known to be stubborn and independent, as well as stand-offish and somewhat territorial. They can become aggressive towards other animals and even other dogs. They are known to bond strongly with one person and are, therefore, referred to as “one-person dogs.” For these reasons, strict obedience and socialization should be implemented from puppyhood. 

The coat on these dogs is short, smooth, and close to the body throughout. The texture is rough to fine and glossy. The undercoat is dense and soft. The coat may be slightly longer on the neck, forming a light ruff, and on the tail. It may form a light brush, although a smooth tail is equally acceptable.

The coat can come in any shade of brindle ranging from and including yellow, tan, red, brown, black, gray, blue or slate, liver, Isabella (mouse), gold, or orange, all with or without a black or gray muzzle. It may also have a corresponding saddle, creeping tan, or blanket with tan points, brindled tan, or brindle points. Non-brindles do sometimes occur and can appear black, liver, Isabella (mouse), cream, gold, tan, sandy, yellow, red, ochre, and with varying shades of fawn or buckskin (tan with melanistic mask). They can have a leopard coat of any eumelanistic-based color, including black leopard, blue leopard, liver leopard, silver leopard, Isabella (mouse) leopard, or with saddle, tricolors, creeping tan, running tan). All with or without white markings. Large patches or amounts of white indicating homogenous merle genotype/phenotype are undesirable and should be avoided in breeding programs.

Conclusion

These dogs are believed to have been bred with and received their merle coloring from their ancestors, the Beauceron breed. These ancestors arrived in the United States via French and Spanish settlers who brought their dogs, which eventually crossed with the dogs of Native American tribes. The Catahoula Leopard Dog and American Leopard Dog breeds were, and still are today, utilized and bred for their skills as hunters and trackers. It is for this reason that these breeds are not recommended for owners who do not plan to provide ample training, exercise, and work to keep them busy throughout the day. For those who provide them with the necessary work and stimulation, the dogs are fiercely loyal and bond strongly with their families - especially children. 

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Click here for the complete Catahoula Leopard Dog breed standard. 

Click here for the complete American Leopard Hound breed standard.