meet the...Catahoula Leopard Dog
Breed Summary
Breed Group Group 10: Pastoral and Stock Dog Breeds
Sub-group 10-E: Multi-Purpose Stock Dogs and Curs
Origin Country United States
Weight Males: 65-95 pounds. Females: 50-65 pounds.
Height Males: 22-26 inches. Females: 20-24 inches.
Other Name(s) Catahoula Cur, Catahoula Dog, Catahoula Hog Dog, Catahoula Hound, Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Cue, Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog
Breed Type Pure
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Origins
While the origins of the Catahoula Leopard Dog remain shrouded in myth and uncertainty, 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, rather than red wolves, as some have suggested.
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 (which were said to have numbered as much as 700 heads). 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 French settlers told stories of dogs that accompanied Native Americans on hunts.
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 in lines to this day. Today, they are still used as stock dogs, bay dogs, catch dogs for hogs, tree dogs, hunting dogs, protectors of property, and companions. In 1979, the Catahoula Leopard Dog was named the official state dog of Louisiana.Breed Characteristics
Head: Mesaticephalic skull type, moderate in size and in proportion to the rest of the body. The topskull is rather broad, just slightly arched when viewed in profile, and flat when viewed from the front with ears brought to alert. The temporalis muscles are well developed, giving the topskull depth and breadth, denoting strength, but should not be overly prominent. A slight median furrow may start at the stop and disappear toward the occiput. The occiput is not overly prominent. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles.
Eyes: Moderate in size, oval to almond in shape, and any color or color combination permissible, ranging from glass (very light blue), green, amber, to dark brown. Bi-eyes, speckled, marbled, or “cracked” eyes are equally permitted. All eye colors must be accompanied by round, symmetrical, and properly functioning pupils. The eye rims are well-fitted and preferably well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Medium in size, set fairly high on the skull with the inner base level with, or just below, the topskull. The ears are drop-shaped, with the tips and inner edge lying close to the head. The ears are never hound-like and long, overly large, “rose” or fly-away, cropped, or erect.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, and broad. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. The muzzle tapers only slightly from the broad base toward the nose. The upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, and have good bone substance, never appearing snipey or weak.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented, black, or self-colored, according to the coat. Butterfly noses are acceptable in merle or leopard individuals. The nostrils are well opened.
Neck: Moderate length to allow for good head carriage and strongly muscled with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows.
Body: Compact, solid, well-muscled, and of good substance. The body is never racy or refined. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters. The body should denote strength, agility, and endurance.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads. Feet must be well-webbed.
Tail: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried according to the dog’s mood and energy level, often upright when moving but in a downward neutral position when at rest (never tucked). The tail may be natural or naturally bobbed (never docked). Natural tails are of a moderately long length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The natural tail may be pump-handled, straight, or gently curved. Natural bobbed tails are of a short to medium length and tapering to a point before the hock joint.
Movement: Agile, effortless, efficient, tireless, and smooth, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament: 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. For these reasons, the dogs 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, bonding strongly with their families—especially children. They are hard-working, brave, and intelligent, capable of making quick decisions when herding hogs or cows. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Breed Standard
BREED GROUP 10: Pastoral and Stock Dog Breeds
Proportions: Ranging from somewhat square to slightly rectangular, with the length of the body measured from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump, being slightly greater than the height at the withers. The ideal length-to-height ratio is between 5:4 and 10:9. The body is well put together, with sturdy substance and moderate (yet sturdy) bone. Males should appear masculine, being more substantial in size and mass, while females should appear more feminine and slightly less substantial. Neither should lack overall type. The weight of males or females is always in proportion to height.
Head
General Appearance: Mesaticephalic skull type, moderate in size and in proportion to the rest of the body. The topskull is rather broad, just slightly arched when viewed in profile, and flat when viewed from the front with ears brought to alert. The temporalis muscles are well developed, giving the topskull depth and breadth, denoting strength, but should not be overly prominent. A slight median furrow may start at the stop and disappear toward the occiput. The occiput is not overly prominent. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles.
Expression: Intelligent, watchful, self-composed, and confident.
Stop: The stop is well-defined but not overly steep.
Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is between 1:1 and 5:4, with the topskull being equal to, or just longer than, the muzzle.
The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is parallel or may be just slightly convergent.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, and broad. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. The muzzle tapers only slightly from the broad base toward the nose. The upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, and have good bone substance, never appearing snipey or weak.
Lips or Flews: The lips are clean and fit fairly tightly over the teeth and jaws.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented, black, or self-colored, according to the coat. Butterfly noses are acceptable in merle or leopard individuals. The nostrils are well opened.
Cheeks: The cheeks are well developed to denote strength, yet not overly prominent. They add breadth and substance to the face.
Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level, scissor, or reverse-scissor. Contact must be made between the top and bottom incisors. Missing or broken teeth due to routine work are not to be penalized.
Eyes: Moderate in size, oval to almond in shape, and any color or color combination permissible, ranging from glass (very light blue), green, amber, to dark brown. Bi-eyes, speckled, marbled, or “cracked” eyes are equally permitted. All eye colors must be accompanied by round, symmetrical, and properly functioning pupils. The eye rims are well-fitted and preferably well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Medium in size, set fairly high on the skull with the inner base level with, or just below, the topskull. The ears are drop-shaped, with the tips and inner edge lying close to the head. The ears are never hound-like and long, overly large, “rose” or fly-away, cropped, or erect.
Body and Tail
General Description: Compact, solid, well-muscled, and of good substance. The body is never racy or refined. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters. The body should denote strength, agility, and endurance.
Neck: Moderate length to allow for good head carriage and strongly muscled with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows.
Topline: Level from slightly prominent withers to croup. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut, flat, level, or slightly arched, yet supportive. The back is never swayed or roached.
Croup: Broad and gently sloped.
Underline: A slight tuck-up is present. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, and oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Tail: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried according to the dog’s mood and energy level, often upright when moving but in a downward neutral position when at rest (never tucked). The tail may be natural or naturally bobbed (never docked). Natural tails are of a moderately long length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The natural tail may be pump-handled, straight, or gently curved. Natural bobbed tails are of a short to medium length and tapering to a point before the hock joint.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters: The forequarters are always balanced with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. Shoulder blades are fairly long and approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm.
Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The distance from the withers to the brisket may be equal to, or just less than, the distance from the elbows to the ground. The point of the withers to the brisket maybe 40-50% of the total height of the body.
Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, fairly long, moderate, yet sturdy bone, and parallel to one another.
Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are long and equal in length, strong, of moderate (yet sturdy) bone, and well-muscled.
Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another.
Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns.
Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads. Feet must be well-webbed.
Coat
Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog.
Coat Type: The coat ranges from short to medium. It is smooth and close to the body throughout. The texture is harsh and glossy and 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. No fringe or feather is permissible.
Coat Color or Pattern: Solid colors of any variety or shade of black, blue, gray, liver, chocolate, Isabella, silver, tan, red, and white. Black, blue, gray, liver, chocolate, Isabella, 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.
Movement
Agile, effortless, efficient, tireless, and smooth, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament
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. For these reasons, the dogs 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, bonding strongly with their families—especially children. They are hard-working, brave, and intelligent, capable of making quick decisions when herding hogs or cows. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Faults
All dogs should be in proper healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.
