A multi-purpose working dog, the black and white Catahoula Leopard Dog is an average breed in all aspects: he neither resembles a sighthound nor a bulldog.
Black and White Catahoula profile
The black and white Catahoula Leopard Dog has a well-muscled, highly effective body that’s medium to massive in size and simply barely longer than it’s tall with a broad head, quick coat, drop ears, and undocked tail.
He gives the look of agility and endurance. Contrary to his name, the black and white Catahoula Leopard Dog has many various coat colors and patterns and various eye colors in addition to the everyday leopard pattern and blue eyes.
The black and white Catahoula Leopard Dog is a hardy, rustic breed that was developed within the American Deep South as an all-purpose farm and searching dog.
The breed is also referred to as the black and white Catahoula Leopard Dog or just Louisiana Catahoula, a nod to its fatherland in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana. In truth, the Catahoula Leopard Dog is the official state dog of Louisiana.
The black and white Catahoula Leopard Dog is an uncommon breed. The breed is acknowledged by the United Kennel Club (the place it is called the black and white Catahoula Leopard Dog).
It can also be a part of the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Service, which is the first step within the process towards full breed recognition.
Although black and white Catahoula Leopard Dogs are very a lot of working dogs, they’ve also devoted family companions. Most get alongside properly with respectful youngsters when raised with them.
They might or might not get together with different pets. Some Catahoula Leopard Dogs don’t get together with different dogs, particularly with these of identical sex.
Because the breed additionally has a high prey drive, black and white Catahoula Leopard Dogs may chase or hurt small animals, together with the family cat.
The black and white Catahoula Leopard Dogs are maybe the finest recognized for his or her distinctive attractiveness. A very good variety of Catahoula Leopard Dogs have the trademark blue eyes and “leopard” patterned coat that’s referred to as out within the breed name.
However, there may be a lot of variation within the breed’s colors and coat patterns. Catahoulas are available in a virtually countless mixture of patterns and colors, from brindle to patched to solid-colored (any shade aside from stable white), and their eyes may be any shade or mixture of colors (even two completely different colors).
History
Although the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog’s origin is shrouded in thriller, one factor is definite: his versatility and dealing intuition are unparalleled.
Native Americans and Louisiana settlers appreciated the breed for its functionality of searching quite a lot of wild game, equivalent to deer, bobcat, wild hog, and bear, in addition to scenting, tailing, and treeing game, and baying and herding feral hogs and cattle.
The black and white Catahoula Leopard Dog is believed to have descended from Native American dogs with bloodhounds, mastiffs and greyhounds introduced over by Spanish explorers.
The breed’s unique name, Catahoula, doubtless is a distortion of the Native American phrase that meant “Chocktaw,” referring to a local tribe.
Regardless of how the breed started, the black and white Catahoula Leopard Dog turned into the official state dog of Louisiana in 1979 and was acknowledged by the United Kennel Club as a member of the Herding Group in 1995.
Temperament
The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog’s temperament spans from one end of the spectrum to the opposite: He is critical and targeted whereas working, but energetic and clownish at dwelling.
Independent and watchful with natural guarding instincts, the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog tends to be cautious around strangers. In the company of his human family, the black and white Catahoula Leopard Dog is an affectionate, mild and constant companion.
Black and White Catahoula Care
Beyond weekly brushing and the occasional bathtub, the black and white Catahoula Leopard Dog doesn’t require a lot of grooming. His teeth should be brushed often, ears checked and cleaned typically to take away any buildup of wax or particles, and nails trimmed on a regular basis.
The black and white Catahoula Leopard Dog thrives on having a job to do as a method to expend his ample energy — without bodily and psychological stimulation, he can turn out to be harmful. Proper coaching and socialization are a should.
He needs to be given loads of train and a spotlight in a big fenced yard, and this isn’t fitted to city life or house dwelling. The black and white Catahoula Leopard Dog is a superb swimmer and likewise enjoys activities equivalent to climbing and retrieving balls or flying discs.
Black and White Catahoula Health
While typically a Health dog general, the black and white Catahoula Leopard can encounter some issues throughout its lively life. This specific dog breed is liable to hip dysplasia, which might trigger ache and issues with mobility because the situation progresses.
Those Catahoulas with a white coat or with a white face are additionally liable to points with glass eyes. These specific colored dogs can typically have an 80% likelihood of growing Deafness in a single or each ear.
Occasionally, this dog breed can have troubles with their eyes, resulting in tunnel vision, irregular pupil dilation, and sometimes issues with the eye-opening. This is usually seen particularly in breeds, just like the McMillin line.
Some of the Catahoula Leopard Dog breeds can even develop most cancers of their older years.
Black and White Catahoula Fun Facts
Stemming from their Louisiana heritage, Catahoulas have been featured in a number of works of fiction centered in and across the bayou, together with Southern-fried episodes of Veronica Mars and Bones, in addition to in Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse vampire novels.
Piglet is a Catahoula leopard dog who, together with her owner, Lori Wells, of Lancaster, Calif., was acknowledged by the AKC for his or her search and rescue prowess.
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