Catahoula Cur

Catahoula Cur
Other names Catahoula Hog Dog
Catahoula Hound
Catahoula Leopard Dog
Leopard Dog
Leopard Cur
Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog
Country of origin United States
Traits
Weight 50–95 lb (23–43 kg)
Height Male 22–26 in (56–66 cm)
Female 20–24 in (51–61 cm)
Coat Short to medium
Color Varied
Classification / standards
AKC FSS standard
The AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) is an optional recording service for purebred dogs that are not yet eligible for AKC registration.
UKC Herding Dog Breeds standard
Notes The AKC does not currently have a breed standard of their own
State dog of Louisiana
Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Catahoula Cur is an American dog breed named after Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, United States. After becoming the state dog of Louisiana in 1979, its name was officially changed to Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog. The breed is sometimes referred to as the "Catahoula Hound" or "Catahoula Leopard Hound" because of its spots, although it is not a true hound but a cur. It is also called the "Catahoula Hog Dog", reflecting its traditional use in hunting wild boar.

History

Both the Catahoula lineage and the origins of the name "Catahoula" are uncertain, but there are various theories.

One theory posits that the Catahoula is the result of Native Americans having bred their own dogs with molossers and greyhounds brought to Louisiana by Hernando de Soto in the 16th century. As for the aforementioned Native American dog breeds, for a time it was believed that they were bred with or from red wolves, but this idea is not supported by modern DNA analysis. Several recent studies[1] have looked at the remains of prehistoric dogs from American archaeological sites and each has indicated that the genetics of prehistoric American dogs are similar to European and Asian domestic dogs rather than wild New World canids. In fact, these studies indicate that Native Americans brought several lines (breeds) of already domesticated dogs with them on their journeys from Asia to North America.[2]

Another theory suggests that the breed originated three centuries later, some time in the 19th century, after French settlers introduced the Beauceron to the North American continent. The French told of strange-looking dogs with haunting glass eyes that were used by the Indians to hunt game in the swamp.,[3] and the theory states that the Beauceron and the Red Wolf/war dog were interbred to produce the Catahoula.

There are two theories regarding the origin of the word 'Catahoula.' One theory is that the word is a combination of two Choctaw words 'okhata', meaning lake, and 'hullo', meaning beloved. Another possibility is that the word is a French transformation of the Choctaw Indian word for their own nation, 'Couthaougoula' pronounced 'Coot-ha-oo-goo-la'.(Don Abney)

In 1979, Governor Edwin Edwards signed a bill making the Catahoula the official state dog of Louisiana in recognition of their importance in the history of the region.[4]

Appearance

As a working dog, Catahoulas have been bred primarily for temperament and ability rather than for appearance. As a result, the physical characteristics of the Catahoula are somewhat varied.

Size

Catahoulas may range greatly in size with males averaging slightly larger than females. Typical height ranges from 20–26" and weight between 40 and 90 lbs.

Color

Cur Brown catahoula

Catahoulas come in many different colors including blue merle, red merle, brindle, and solid colors. Often, solid coat Catahoulas have small splashes of other colors such as white on their face, legs or chest. The leopard-like coat of most Catahoulas is the result of the merle gene. The merle gene does not normally affect the entire coat of the dog, but dilutes the color only in areas that randomly present the characteristic of the gene. Visually, white coats seem unaffected.

Coat

Blue Leopard Catahoula with brindled tan markings
Catahoula Leopard Dog

The texture of a Catahoula's coat may show some variance, being slick/painted-on, Spotted, coarse, or woolly/shaggy. However, while other coat types may not be penalized, several registering bodies that recognize the Catahoula specify a short or slick-coated dog.[6][7] Others, including the Animal Research Foundation, will accept short-to-medium haired dogs, but may list long fur or feathering of the fur as uncommon or a flaw.[8]

Red Leopard Catahoula

Eyes

The breed may have "cracked glass" or "marbled glass" eyes (heterochromia) and occurs when both colored and glass portions are present in the same eye. Cracked or marbled eyes are blue or blue-white in color. Catahoulas with two cracked or marble glass eyes are often referred to as having double glass eyes. In some cases, a glass eye will have darker colored sections in it, and vice versa. Cracked eyes may be half of one color and half of another. They may just have a streak or spot of another color. Gray eyes are usually cracked eyes, made of blue and green, giving them their grayish appearance. The eyes may be of the same color or each of a different color. Eye color can also be ice blue, brown, green, gray, or amber. No particular eye color is typical of Catahoulas. Some have been known to have half of one eye marbled.

Tail

The tail of the Catahoula may be long and whip-like, reaching past the hocks of the back legs, or else bobtail, which is a tail that ranges from one vertebra shorter than full length to only one vertebra in total length. The question mark tail is a common tail trait, often with a white tip. The bobtail is a rare but natural part of the Catahoula heritage.

Feet

Though most dogs have webbing between the toes, Catahoulas' feet have more prominent webbing which extends almost to the ends of the toes. This foot gives the Catahoula the ability to work marshy areas and gives them great swimming ability.

Temperament

Catahoulas are highly intelligent and energetic. They are assertive but not aggressive by nature. Catahoulas in general are very even tempered. Males tend to be more obnoxious than females, but Catahoulas are very serious about their job if they are working dogs. They make a good family dog but will not tolerate being isolated, so interaction with the dog is a daily requirement. When a Catahoula is raised with children, the dog believes that it is his or her responsibility to look after and protect those children. Many owners will say that the Catahoula owns them and they can be insistent when it's time to eat or do other activities. Catahoulas are protective and a natural alarm dog. They will alert one to anything out of the ordinary.[9]

Blue Leopard Female

Work

Hunting

These dogs are outstanding bay dogs, or tracking and hunting dogs. They have been known to track animals from miles away, and have been used for hunting feral pigs, squirrel, deer, raccoon, mountain lion, and black bear. They often track silently and only begin to make their distinctive baying bark, eye to eye with the prey, once it is stopped, and hold it in position without touching the animal; using only posture, eyecontact, and lateral shifts.

Catahoulas have been introduced in the Northern Territory of Australia where they have been found to be a superior hunting dog for pigs by breeders.[10] They have been introduced in New Zealand as well as Australia, but the number of Catahoulas there is unclear.

Red Solid with litter of leopard Catahoulas; showing wide variety of coat colors

Herding

They are used primarily for herding cattle, and pigs by a method of antagonizing and intimidation of herd animals as opposed to the method of all day boundary patrol and restricting the animals being herded from entering or leaving the designated area.[11] Herding instincts and trainability can be measured at noncompetitive herding tests. Catahoulas exhibiting basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in cow/hog dog trials.[12]

The breed is recognized by the United Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club under the "herding dog" breed group.[13][14][15]

Health issues

Deafness

Deafness is one of the major genetic flaws in Catahoulas and associated with individuals that are excessively white in color and deafness attributed to a lack of melanocytes.[16] A Catahoula that is predominantly white has an 80% chance of being bi-laterally deaf or uni-laterally hearing.[17] Hearing in one ear is referred to as "directional deafness". Breeders are often unwilling to allow deaf Catahoulas to leave their premises and will generally euthanize deaf pups.

Hip dysplasia

A concern with many breeds, hip dysplasia is dependent on the gene pool and good breeders. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and PennHIP can help determine whether a specific individual is prone to hip dysplasia through radiographs. Catahoulas are no more apt to have this orthopedic problem than other breeds.

Catahoula lines

There are three lines:

These three lines were crossed back and forth and created the variations of Catahoulas seen today.[19]

Notable references to Catahoulas in history

References

  1. Leonard, et al.: "Ancient DNA Evidence for Old World Origin of New World Dogs", Science, 298(5598):1613–1616
  2. "Old Dogs in a New World, Alaska Science Forum". alaska.edu.
  3. Abney, Don. The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog: a truly versatile working dog. Wilsonville, OR: Doral Pub, 1996.
  4. "Louisiana.gov - Explore". louisiana.gov.
  5. Compusoar Services - 985-892-8922. "Catahoula Information » Catahoula Issues » Coat". donabney.com.
  6. 1 2 Compusoar Services - 985-892-8922. "Catahoula Standard, Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog, Abney Catahoulas,". abneycatahoulas.com.
  7. United Kennel Club Catahoula Breed Standard
  8. "ARF - registering all breeds since 1947". arfusa.com.
  9. Compusoar Services - 985-892-8922. "Catahoula Questions, Frequently Asked Catahoula Questions.". donabney.com.
  10. http://www.outbackcatahoulas.com.au/index
  11. "Dog Owner's Guide: Herding dogs". canismajor.com.
  12. Hartnagle-Taylor, Jeanne Joy; Taylor, Ty (2010). Stockdog Savvy. Alpine Publications. ISBN 978-1-57779-106-5.
  13. List Of UKC Breeds By Group
  14. Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog
  15. American Kennel Club. "Catahoula Leopard Dog - American Kennel Club". akc.org.
  16. 2 Gals Farm: Catahoula
  17. Compusoar Services - 985-892-8922. "Catahoula Information, Abney Catahoulas, Catahoula Genetics, and Catahoula Information". donabney.com.
  18. Compusoar Services - 985-892-8922. "Catahoula History, A Factual Account Of the Louisiana Catahoula Origin.". donabney.com.
  19. "Mammals » Dogs » Catahoula Leopard Main Page". centralpets.com.
  20. http://crackercatahoulas.com/his.html
  21. 1 2 Cracker Catahoulas
  22. "ASPCA Names Mascot Success Story of the Week". centenary.edu.

External links

Media related to Catahoula Leopard Dog at Wikimedia Commons

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