Catahoula Leopard Dogs

Have you ever heard that a dog can climb a tree? If not, then let me tell you, indeed some Catahoula dogs can climb a tree. These dogs have long, sharp and hard nails, which assist them to climb a tree. For this and their intuitive nature, they are also known as cat dog. Besides, Catahoula leopard dogs are also known as Catahoula Cur, Catahoula Hog Dog and simply Catahoula. The Catahoula Leopard dogs are named after the Catahoula church, located in Louisiana, United States. According to American native language, Catahoula means "beautiful clear water". In 1979, this breed was designated as state dog of Louisiana. These dogs were brought to America by the Spanish explorers and first used to drive out wild animals.

Physical Characteristics of Catahoula Leopard Dogs
Catahoula leopard dogs are tall up to almost 24 inch and weigh up to almost 90 pounds. They have a long tail, natural flop ear, and are available in variety of colors with spots. All the curs have blue, glass, or marbled eyes. Some of them have cracked eyes too. Catahoula dogs have prominent webbing between the toes, which help them to walk on marshy areas and swim.

Catahoula Leopard dogs have short, smooth and a dense coat in different colors, such as blue, gray, white, black, brown, yellow and patched. Usually, patches include a combination of prominent white and other colors. As they are single coated dogs, unlike the Canaan dogs, they need to be kept in a warm place during the winters and are easy to maintain.

Catahoula Leopard Dogs as Efficient Work Dogs
These dogs are mostly known as working dogs because of their herding, hunting and climbing ability. They are intelligent and enthusiastic by character. Like the African wild dogs, they can be engaged in all kinds of herding, searching, rescuing and hunting. Generally, groups of dogs are engaged in hunting small animals like pigs, deer, squirrels, black bears and sometimes raccoons. In case of herding, these dogs are used for herding sheep, cattle and pigs. However, they need dog training lessons, such as chewing garden hoses, digging large holes and running. These training lessons can help them hunt and herd more efficiently. They are expert and energetic working dogs.

Temperament of Catahoula Leopard Dogs
Catahoula Leopard Dogs are independent by nature. They want to roam freely in an open space and often feel caged in city houses. They can be tamed if trained and exercised properly. These dogs are strong and assertive enough to defend themselves from all kinds of counter attacks. The behavior of this dog breed is similar to that of guard dogs. They are protective towards their master. Besides, they are very much loyal and affectionate towards their master and remain aloof with strangers. They are friendly with the little ones. One interesting fact about this dog is that they are fierce by nature and like to fight with their prey.

Catahoula Leopard Dog Health
Catahoula dogs live up to almost 14 years. It has been seen that white coated Catahoula dogs fall prey to hearing loss or blindness. Other common dog illnesses, from which Catahoula dogs may suffer are tunnel vision, hip dysplasia and even cancer.

Catahoula dogs are short and single-coated dogs. They should be bathed once or twice in a year and brushed once or twice in a week. Their nails should be trimmed once in a week and teeth should be kept clean. Their ears should be cleaned by gently wiping the outer parts to protect them from allergies, bacterial infections and wounds.