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Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dogs: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Catahoula Leopard Dog personality and behavior. main page breed review faq health training adopting/buying links My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Catahoula Leopard Dog, including these excerpts: "One breeder says, "The Catahoula will not let you forget that you own a dog." The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog, often called "King of the Stock Dogs," really belongs on a farm or ranch, for he is a serious worker who goes about his business with tremendous focus and assertiveness. This athletic, rugged dog requires at least an hour of running exercise each day. Without sufficient outlets for his high energy, he will become rambunctious and destructive. Most Catahoula Leopard Dogs are reserved with strangers and naturally protective. Skittishness and sharpness can be problems in some lines, and Catahoulas need extensive socialization. He can be dominant and pushy with other animals, especially with other dogs of the same sex, and doesn't always cohabit well in multi-pet homes. He can be possessive of his food. Catahoula Leopard Dogs are independent and like to be in charge. You must be a confident leader or they will walk all over you. Overall, this is a capable, versatile companion when allowed to fulfill his working heritage. Otherwise, he can be too much dog to handle." History The state dog of Louisiana, he was developed in the Catahoula Lakes region, possibly a blend of Louisiana red wolf, French Catahoula Leopard Dog, and the Spanish mastiffs and greyhounds used by the explorer DeSoto to conquer the local Indians. Spread throughout the southern states, he became an all-around farm and ranch dog who excelled at controlling wild cattle, hunting wild boar, and treeing coons. Size 20-26 inches and 50-85 lbs

Catahoula Leopard Dogs What's good about 'em What's bad about 'em If you want a dog who... Is medium to large, tautly muscled, and athletic Has a short, easy-groom coat with an unusual color pattern Is a serious working dog who thrives on vigorous exercise and goes about his business with tremendous focus and assertiveness Makes a keen watchdog A Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog may be right for you. If you don't want to deal with... Vigorous exercise requirements Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough Suspiciousness or shyness when not extensively socialized Aggression toward other animals -- chasing instincts Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge Chasing and nipping at things that move: children, joggers, other animals, bikes, cars Shedding A Catahoula Leopard Dog may not be right for you. If I were considering a Catahoula Leopard Dog... My major concerns would be: Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Catahoula Leopard Dogs MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored Catahoula Leopard Dogs can make a shambles of your house and yard. Catahoula Leopard Dogs are happiest living on a farm or ranch and allowed to work stock. If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, I do not recommend this breed. They were never intended to be simply household pets, and their working behaviors are inappropriate in a normal household setting. Trying to suppress these "hardwired" behaviors, without providing alternate outlets for their high energy level, can be difficult. Providing enough socialization. Many Catahoula Leopard Dogs have protective instincts toward strangers. They need extensive exposure to friendly people so they learn to recognize the normal behaviors of "good guys." Then they can recognize the difference when someone acts abnormally. Without careful socialization, they may be suspicious of everyone, which could lead to biting. Some Catahoula Leopard Dogs go in the opposite direction -- without enough socialization, they become fearful of strangers, which can lead to defensive biting. If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Catahoula Leopard Dog puppies. Young Catahoula Leopard Dogs (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people. The temptation to play roughly and nip at moving people is simply too strong in many young Catahoula Leopard Dogs. Animal aggression. Many Catahoula Leopard Dogs are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex. Many have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures. If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, handling, or management of this breed, it is capable of seriously injuring or killing other animals. The strong temperament. Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not Golden Retrievers. The best Catahoulas are versatile working dogs, capable of learning a great deal, but they have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. Some Catahoula Leopard Dogs are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. To teach your Catahoula to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Catahoula Training Page discusses the program you need. Shedding. For such a shorthaired dog, Catahoula Leopard Dogs shed more than you might think. Their short hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, and stick tenaciously to your carpeting, upholstery, and clothing. Frankly, most Catahoula Leopard Dogs are "too much dog" for the average household. This is a serious working dog. Very few people really have the knowledge or skills to manage this breed, or to provide the activities that keep him satisfied. Not all Catahoula Leopard Dogs are alike! There are energetic Catahoulas, and placid Catahoulas. Hard-headed Catahoulas, and sweet-natured Catahoulas. Serious Catahoulas, and good-natured goofballs. Introverted Catahoulas, and Catahoulas who love everyone. If you acquire a Catahoula Leopard Dog puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." If you're considering an adult Catahoula Leopard Dog... There are plenty of adult Catahoulas who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you. When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS. If you would like to link to this review, here is the HTML code: <a href="http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/louisianacatahoulaleoparddogs.html">Catahoula Leopard Dogs: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em</a> Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author.