Named for a Choctaw Indian word meaning “sacred lake,” the Catahoula originated in northern Louisiana near Catahoula Lake. They’re probably the product of breeding between local dogs and the Bloodhounds, Mastiffs, and Greyhounds brought to the area by Spanish explorers.
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Are Catahoulas good family dogs?
The Catahoula Leopard Dog is very loving with family, but may be wary with strangers if it’s not socialized early on. Catahoulas are protective of the family, and make excellent watch dogs. This breed is not aggressive; however, similar to other herding breeds, it is a natural leader.
What is a Catahoula dog known for?
The Catahoula Leopard Dog is a medium-large, short-coated dog, known for its many varied coat and eye colors and patterns. The word is of Choctaw origin and is translated to mean “sacred lake.” Catahoulas are the only breed of dog to have historically originated in the state of Louisiana.
What type of dog is a Catahoula?
The catahoula leopard dog is a medium-large herding dog breed from the United States whose trademark is its short, smooth coat that comes in an array of eye-catching colors and patterns. Many catahoulas have distinctive blue eyes and a spotted coat that’s similar to a leopard patternโhence the breed’s name.
Do Catahoulas bark alot?
Catahoulas make good watchdogs. They will bark when strangers approach the house. However, excessive barking should not be encouraged.
Do Catahoulas have Pitbull in them?
The Parent Breeds: The Catahoula Leopard Dog And Pitbull. The Catahoula pit mix is a designer dog from two unique breeds: the Catahoula Leopard Dog and Pitbull.
How much does a Catahoula cost?
Many hunters still breed and use them, which is why they are less expensive than other breeds. Generally, puppies are as little as $600 to $900 from a professional, registered breeder. Some may be more expensive at around $1,000, but these are typically dogs with competitive pedigrees.
Are Catahoula dogs rare?
Catahoula Leopard Dogs are relatively rare. They can easily be found in the Louisiana and Gulf Coast areas but are much more difficult to come across in other parts of the United States. Outside of the U.S., this breed is nearly impossible to find.
How do you tell if my dog is a Catahoula?
Catahoula Leopard Dogs have single coats that are close and flat on the body. In length, they are either short or medium, and they may feel anywhere between coarse and smooth. Expect any color other than white. A Catahoula may be nearly any color, combination of colors, or pattern.
What is Catahoula mixed with?
The Catahoula Bulldog is a mixed breed dogโa cross between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and American Bulldog dog breeds. Agile, energetic, and loyal, these pups inherited some of the best qualities from both of their parents. Catahoula Bulldogs are also known as American Mastahoulas.
Can Catahoulas climb trees?
A denizen of the South, these dogs were named Catahoula Leopard Dogs after the Catahoula Parish of Louisiana where the breed originated. Renowned hunters, these agile dogs are, amazingly, able to climb trees in pursuit of prey.
How big does a Catahoula pit mix get?
Dependent on the size of his parents, the Catahoula Pitbull can weigh anywhere between 40 and 85 pounds. He will measure between 18 and 23 inches in height. The Catahoula also carries the heterochromia gene, whereby his eyes are different colors, or they can even be a mixture of colors in the same eye.
How big will my Catahoula puppy get?
Catahoula Leopard Dog Size: Frequently Asked Questions Male Catahoulas might sometimes be larger than females, with an average weight of 65 to 90 pounds and a height of 22 to 26 inches measured at the shoulder. Females typically weigh about 50 to 65 pounds and are 20 to 24 inches tall.
Why do Catahoulas climb trees?
Bred to circle and hold cattle, wild boars and bears, they’ll fearlessly plunge into thickets or marshes, or climb mountains (and in some cases, trees) to catch up to their prey. Raising their heads high, they will wind a scent, and the baying can be heard up to a mile away.
How do you stop a Catahoula from biting?

How often should you bathe a Catahoula?
A quick brushing once a week is enough to keep this breed’s coat shiny and clean. While they may need a bath if especially dirty, typically you will only need to bathe a Catahoula perhaps a couple times a year.
Are Catahoulas easy to train?
Catahoula Leopard Dog Trainability Due to their independent qualities, the Catahoula is not the easiest breed to train. As previously stated, they need an owner who is willing to put in a lot of work and determination in order to train them.
What is the difference between a Catahoula Cur and a Catahoula Leopard Dog?
Well, we’re here to shed some light on this aspect! The most important thing to know is that the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Catahoula Cur are the same dog breed; the Catahoula Cur is just a name variation for the Catahoula Leopard Dog.
Do Catahoulas have blue eyes?
There is no standard eye color for Catahoulas. The eyes may be any color or combination of colors, although glass eyes are preferred. The eyes do not have to be the same color and may have partial glass in one or both eyes, commonly called “cracks”.
What is the most expensive dog?
A golden-haired Tibetan mastiff puppy has reportedly been sold for a whopping $2 million in China, potentially making it the world’s most expensive dog.
Are Catahoulas pure bred?
The Catahoula Leopard Dog is a purebred dog, raised to hunt large game. Despite sometimes mistakenly being known as the Catahoula Cur or Leopard Hound (due to their mix of different hunting breeds), they have their own bloodline and purebred lineage. This breed was named using the Native American Choctaw language.
Are Catahoulas intelligent?
As with most smart dog breeds, the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard needs to have a fair amount of stimulation in order to stay energized and happy. These dogs are highly intelligent and quick to assess situations, making them perfect helpers in law enforcement.
Do Catahoula leopard dogs shed a lot?
Whether your Catahoula has a short, smooth coat or a medium-length, wiry coat, they will shed a small to moderate amount regularly throughout the year. This makes them great for pet parents who don’t want to deal with much coat maintenance but don’t mind some light shedding and the occasional brushing.
What is the best Catahoula mix?
- The Labahoula is the perfect mix for any family and makes for a loyal, loving companion.
- The Beagahoula is full of personality and is well suited for families with children.
- The Catahoula Bulldog is an affectionate, loyal dog with a very stable personality.
- The Chiahuahoula are very social and have big personalities!
What is a Catahoula pitbull?
Affectionately known as a Pitahoula to those that love ’em, the Catahoula and Pitbull mix is a relatively new and rare hybrid dog breed that is finally finding much-deserved popularity in the United States. An intense and striking breed, the Catahoula and Pitbull designer dog breed is not for the inexperienced owner.