Our Dog is a CATAHOULA LEOPARD DOG, Louisiana wild boar and cattle herding dog
Yup. Some fella at the dog park told us, "that's no cattle dog mix, she's a Catahoula". A whoosa-whatsa? Yup, Catahoula. Here's what they say online about her.
History
The Catahoula is thought to have descended from "war dogs" (Mastiffs and Greyhounds) brought to Louisiana by Hernando de Soto in the 16th century. Dogs left behind by the explorer's party were interbred by the local natives with their semi-domesticated Red Wolves. The Catahoula does possess keen eyesight and a wariness of strangers. It has both the muscular shoulders and powerful jaws of a Red Wolf as well as the silent trailing and the ability to trail by wind.
In the 1800s, French settlers arrived in Louisiana with their Beauceron. They told of strange looking dogs with haunting glass eyes that were used by the indians to hunt game in the swamp.[1] It is thought the Beauceron and Red Wolf/war dog were interbred to produce the Catahoula.
During the early 1900s, Teddy Roosevelt used the Catahoula when hunting.[4] Louisiana Governor Earl K. Long had an interest in the breed and collected them.[5]
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. At this time they lost the name Catahoula Cur for Catahoula Leopard.
Temperament
Catahoulas are highly intelligent, energetic, and quick, yet are very loving and gentle with children. They are inquisitive and have an independent streak. The Catahoula temperament is well suited for everyone; these dogs can to be protective of their territory and family if trained to do so, but are very kind and gentle toward other dogs.
History
The Catahoula is thought to have descended from "war dogs" (Mastiffs and Greyhounds) brought to Louisiana by Hernando de Soto in the 16th century. Dogs left behind by the explorer's party were interbred by the local natives with their semi-domesticated Red Wolves. The Catahoula does possess keen eyesight and a wariness of strangers. It has both the muscular shoulders and powerful jaws of a Red Wolf as well as the silent trailing and the ability to trail by wind.
In the 1800s, French settlers arrived in Louisiana with their Beauceron. They told of strange looking dogs with haunting glass eyes that were used by the indians to hunt game in the swamp.[1] It is thought the Beauceron and Red Wolf/war dog were interbred to produce the Catahoula.
During the early 1900s, Teddy Roosevelt used the Catahoula when hunting.[4] Louisiana Governor Earl K. Long had an interest in the breed and collected them.[5]
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. At this time they lost the name Catahoula Cur for Catahoula Leopard.
Temperament
Catahoulas are highly intelligent, energetic, and quick, yet are very loving and gentle with children. They are inquisitive and have an independent streak. The Catahoula temperament is well suited for everyone; these dogs can to be protective of their territory and family if trained to do so, but are very kind and gentle toward other dogs.