Catahoula Leopard Dog
Blue Leopard Dog, Catahoula Cur, Catahoula Hog Dog, Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog
The Catahoula Leopard Dog is one of several Cur breeds from the Southern United States. Curs are generally multipurpose farm dogs, used for working with livestock, for hunting and other tasks. The Catahoula Leopard Dog specializes in working with cattle and hogs. They are 'hard' heelers, working best with rough stock that they are not afraid to attack boldly. They will bite the livestock, enraging the animal and causing it to give chase. The dogs can then lead the animal to where they want and once penned with the gate shut behind them the Catahoula will leap back safely over the other side of the fence.
Catahoula Leopard Dog Standards
- AKC (FSS)
- UKC (Herding)
- 20-26"
- 40-50 lbs
- large scenthound
- small to medium length drop ears
- long tail reaches hock
- single coat, short to medium length
- leopard pattern base with contrasting spots
History of the Catahoula Leopard Dog
The ancestry of the Catahoula Leopard Dog is unknown, however legend persists that they are descended from war dogs brought by early Spanish explorers. These were supposedly Mastiff-like and would have interbred with native dogs similar to the Carolina Dog. This gene pool would have inevitably crossed with multiple unknown European hounds before creating the dog recognized as the Catahoula today. It gains its name from its unique spotted coat and the area near the Catahoula (meaning beautiful clear water) parish in Louisiana.