INTRODUCTION

The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog Owners Association (LCLDOA) has formulated this information, in the hope of helping you decide if the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog (Catahoula) is the right breed for you. If you already own a Catahoula, it may help you to better understand this most unusual breed of dog. If you are a potential owner, please read this information carefully, and if you still have questions contact the LCLDOA.

The Catahoula is eligible for many types of competitive events within the UKC. While the Catahoula is shown in the Herding Group in conformation, they can also compete in many of the UKC performance events, such as agility, obedience, weight pulling, cur and feist hunting events, etc. At this time there is no organized herding events offered by UKC. For rules and eligibility pertaining to any of the above, please contact UKC at www.ukcdogs.com or UKC, 100 Kilgore Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49002-5584, 269-343-9020.

While the Catahoula's are herders by trade, for many generations they have also been used for hunting small and large game animals. Some individuals have been used to hunt rabbits and birds and wild boar hunters are using many. Then can be a physically tough contender with tremendous agility, which they need for either moving or holding cattle, or hunting.

PERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT

The Catahoula is a difficult breed to make generalizations about. There are a wide variety of temperaments within the breed itself and many times within the same litter. The many different jobs the breed has been asked to perform for generations, may account for this diversity in temperaments. They can range from reserved and/or business-like to a high-energy clown. This requires an owner that is prepared to deal with these traits, or requires the prospective owner to be honest and let the breeder know exactly what they are looking for.

An intelligent breed, it is usually reserved with strangers or strange situations. Many, but not all, can be independent, protective and/or territorial. In normal situations when protecting home and family, a Catahoula should never show extreme aggressiveness or fear biting tendencies.

With the variety of temperaments, this breed has some individuals that will need more exercise than others, and have a higher energy level. From the content couch companion, to the whirlwind busy body, the pup should be judged on an individual basis. But, even the couch companion will be ready to work, hunt or perform when asked to do so.

One general statement, that can be made about the breed is, "they need a lot of ongoing socialization". The owner of a Catahoula needs to have the time and patience to properly let the dog develop to its full potential. This breed does not handle isolation well. If they do not have human interaction, they can and will become aggressive or fearful.

As we sum up the temperament/personality of the Catahoula you may find this description lengthier then many other breeds, but a breeder that has dealt with the Catahoula for any length of time, will probably tell you that they have had many variations in the dogs they have produced, sometimes in the same litter.

GENERAL INFORMATION

This breed at times can be very sensitive to corrections, and in the home some can almost be considered soft tempered. This in no way interferes with their tough working or hunting drive. With these individuals consistent corrections need to be used. One heavy-handed correction at the wrong time can ruin a pup for what you wish to use it for.

On the other hand, some Catahoula’s can be overly persistent and headstrong. These may need a stronger enforcement. This would apply to pups as well as adults. There is no ONE training method that will work with all dogs and this includes the Catahoula. If using a firmer training method, remember, there is a difference between firm correction and abusive treatment.

If considering a Catahoula, please remember it is important to find an individual dog that will fit your purpose. Individuals can excel at a variety of different tasks, but no one dog can do it all. If you are planning on doing competitive obedience with your Catahoula, you will need a trainer that knows and understands the breed. Often they can be hard to find, as some know what they are but not how they think or interact. If the trainer isn't familiar with the breed, they should be willing to listen and learn, along with the new owner.

Most Catahoula’s are not easy to do competition obedience with. They get bored with the repetition that is required for the "fine tuning" that needs to be done, and do not see the need to keep repeating something they know how to do, even if it is not up to you or your instructors standards. When doing obedience, you really need to keep the lessons short. Try to keep as much variety as possible, and come up with new ways to do the "same old thing". The Catahoula is not a breed that you can do repetitive training with as you can do with some breeds. Timing is also a very critical part of training. In most circumstances a correction is useless if the timing is off. A less severe correction done at the right time, can have much better results and will be easier for the dog to understand, then a poorly timed harsh correction.

Remember that the Catahoula's memory is unbelievable, so don't let the puppy do things that it is not going to be allowed on a regular basis, or when an adult; i.e., get on couch, sleep in your bed, be the first one out the door, etc.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN LOOKING FOR A CATAHOULA

A reputable breeder will answer your questions first and foremost, before trying to make a sale. They will also have questions to ask you as a potential puppy buyer. Be cautious of anyone who tells you all of the breed’s good points and none of the downfalls. If someone is telling you, that the Catahoula is a super dog BEWARE. No one breed of dog is correct for everyone. No one breed is a super dog. Different owners require different traits from the dog they wish to own: This means working with a breeder that will try to honestly evaluate the individual dog, whether it means a sale or not.

On the buyer’s side, the most correct individual for the task can be ruined by owner neglect or just plain old "lack of time". When this situation happens it is not something for which the breeder is responsible. When wanting to get a Catahoula, remember that this is a dog that will be with you for the next 10 to 15 years and is not something to be acquired on the spur of the moment because they are unique looking. You don't live with just the looks, but the complete package. Contact more then one breeder when investigating whether the Catahoula could be the breed for you or not. Never sacrifice quality for convenience. The pup down the road may not be the right one for you, even if it is close to home. It may not even be the right breed for you. Geographical location of the breeder and a high number of puppies produced in a year does not make a responsible and reputable breeder.

MYTHS

Over a period time, many wives tales have developed and, for whatever reason, they get passed on from breeder to buyer, who becomes a breeder, and then has buyers and so on and so forth. In this section we would like to address some of these myths that have been passed around for many years.

1. Neutered/spayed dogs will not work or hunt: The ability to reproduce has nothing to do with the desire to work or hunt. In many cases, usually the male, it may even work in reverse. A female will not have hormone fluctuation and a male will not be concerned with "in season females". Just because a registered animal is capable of reproducing, does not mean that it should be bred.

2. Dogs have to be aggressive (mean tempered) to work livestock: There are countless Catahoula's working and hunting that have outstanding temperaments. This is not to say that the dog would not be aggressive at his job, either in the field or in the woods. This, also, doesn't mean they will/should not guard their/your property. However, human aggression should not be tolerated and addressed accordingly. An unsociable dog may not want to be touch by a stranger, but that same dog should not stand at the end of the leash snarling and growling if not being threatened.

3. a) White headed dogs are the only deaf ones, or a solid colored dog doesn't have hearing problems: These have both been clinically proven incorrect. There are documented cases of solid colored dogs, dark leopard dogs and dogs with no white on the head being either bilaterally (both ears) or unilaterally (one ear) deaf. A unilaterally deaf dog is sometimes, referred to as "directionally deaf" due to the fact they many not be able to distinguish the direction the sound is coming from.

b) If the pup has color on the actual leather of the ear, it will not be deaf in either one or both ears: Again, this has been documented to be untrue.

c) A band of white color around stomach means it is deaf: This, also, has been documented to be untrue. It may be possible for this individual pup to have a hearing problem, but it, also, may have normal hearing. Breeders have BAER (hearing test) tested pups with a white band and they have had normal hearing.

4. Some breeders say they test their dogs, to see if they have hearing problems, by banging two metal pans together, make very loud noises, or use a tuning fork. By doing this they say they can tell if the dog has a hearing problem or not: Backyard test are not reliable. Catahoula's are smart, independent dogs. As puppies they can compensate remarkable well, at a very early age, if they are able to hear, or partially hear, out of one ear. Sometimes a dog will not show signs of hearing problems till they are several months old or even over a year, depending on the individual. Many times, these signs are in the form of a temperament problem and should be addressed quickly. A vet doing a BAER test can only diagnose hearing problems. A breeder that BAER test its puppies and dogs, will have proof from the vet or clinic, that performed the test and should not have a problem presenting this information for you to see. Do not be afraid to ask for this proof if they state they BAER test. Also, do not hesitate to ask a breeder if they BAER test.

5. They have big litters and this must be the wolf in them: Some breeders do experience large litters (10 + pups), however, this has nothing to do with the wolf. It must be noted that all dogs descended from the wolf and many times the wolf background in the Catahoula, is over emphasized. It would be very unusual for a wolf to produce a litter of 11-14. Even with pack involvement, food for a litter of that size would be a problem, and the litter size would be in proportion to food availability, climate, conditions and possible pack size. The average size for a female Red Wolf is between 2 and 8 pups.

6. The splotchy coloration comes from the wolf: This myth has been passed by mouth and also in print. Again, the Red Wolf is being over emphasized in the development of the Catahoula. The Red Wolf does not have spots, but have reddish colored coats, similar to some coyotes. There used to be a black color phase of the Red Wolf, and in 1934 there was a picture taken of one. This black color phase is, now, assumed to be extinct. The above Red Wolf facts supplied by the Red Wolf Coalition, Kill Devil Hills, N.C. www.redwolves.com.

We hope this brochure has been helpful to you. The Catahoula is a wonderful dog, when they are right for you and your situation. Think carefully before making this important decision.

Remember the Catahoula is not a breed for everyone.

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