Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog (Catahoula Cur)

The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog, also known as Catahoula Leopard Dog, Catahoula Hog Dog, Catahoula Cur, Louisiana Catahoula Cur, Leopard Dog, is an American breed used in hunting wild boars in the past. This breed has a unique feature of reacting to whistles as well as commands and this trait of it make it a herding dog. It is more of a mongrel than a hunting dog. This breed ranges in size and is characterized by a cracked glass or marbled glass eyes as there are two colors in the same eye. Its tail is long and sometimes resembles a whip and it also possesses a webbed feet that help it to move adequately in marshy areas and also swim.

Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog Pictures

History

This dog got its name from the Catahoula Parish in the state of Louisiana in the United States. In 1979 a bill was signed by Edwin Edwards, the governor to make it the state dog of Louisiana. Since then its name had been officially changed to Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog.

Temperament and Behavior

This breed has a striking temperament. They are very intelligent, independent and protective in nature. They are loving to their family members but reserved to strangers. They are aggressive to dogs of their own sex and must not be kept in groups. They need self-confident owners to assert control over them. The Catahoulas are friendly to children but their interaction must be supervised by an adult. It should not be left isolated but should be given more time to spend with its family.

Care

• Exercise

• Grooming

• Health Problems

Being energetic, Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog needs enough exercise regularly for at least an hour, without which they might develop digging, chewing and barking syndromes.  A home with a fence yard is suited for this breed as they enjoy running freely. They are mainly fond of hunting and herding, and if they are mostly kept at home, they should be taken for a walk or jog. They tend to be very noisy and excited while playing, and the owner should teach them have control on their excitement, lest these dogs might end up hurting people around them.

This breed has a short and single coat therefore too much of grooming is not required. Being average shedders minimal grooming is enough. Brushing their coat once a week retains the shine. Cleaning their teeth and trimming their nails is essential from time to time.

Unilateral or bilateral genetic deafness is common among the white Catahoula. They also suffer from hip dysplasia. The older animals are prone to cancer.

Training

The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog needs a firm and confident trainer to control them because of their assertive nature or else the dog would end up acting as the ‘pack leader’. The Catahoula puppies must be trained from the day it is brought home from the breeders. Leash training is necessary to keep control on their aggressive nature. They should be trained to socialize from its puppy days. They should be trained to control their aggression towards strangers and other animals.

Feeding

It is recommended to give the Catahoula an amount of 3 3/8 to 5 1/8 high quality dog food daily, which should be divided into two meals.

Interesting Facts

• They are called cat dogs because of their strong intuition and sixth sense and also their ability to climb trees.
• It is speculated that the name Catahoula has been derived from an Indian word meaning ‘clear eyes’.
• They have a tendency of shedding more when they are nervous and stressed.