![]() They are particularly stingy with food, and will often use their herding instincts to chase other pets away from the food and water bowls. They are very protective of their human families, as well as of the livestock they are charged with herding and keeping safe.Ĭatahoulas insist on taking the dominant position among other pets in the household. It takes a Catahoula quite a while to warm up to new people. They are loyal and loving toward people they know, but they are not instantly drawn to strangers. They can be very stubborn and tend to have very strong alpha tendencies.Īs is the case with most herding breeds, Catahoulas tend to be territorial, and are very protective of their homes and property. They have not yet gained full recognition and are still considered a rare breed by the club's standards.Ĭatahoulas are fiercely independent creatures that sometimes come across as being rather standoffish in nature. The dogs would literally surround a hog, box it in, and then wait for their human companions to help them complete the job.Ĭatahoulas became part of the AKC's Foundation Stock Service in 1996. Early European settlers began using the native dogs to herd and catch the hogs in order to thin their population. Approximately 300 years after the hogs' introduction to the region, their numbers had grown so high that they became a nuisance. After DeSoto's death, many of the hogs were slaughtered, but some were also given to the local Indians. ![]() The Spaniards brought a herd of hogs with them to ensure they had a good food supply. Historians speculate that these dogs interbred with the native population of dogs who lived with the local Indians, and the descendents of those litters eventually evolved into the prototype for the Catahoula.Īs for how the Catahoula became such a natural herding dog, DeSoto's expedition once again figures prominently in the story. The Spaniards brought their dogs with them, and it's believed this group included Mastiffs, Bloodhounds, and Greyhounds. The Catahoula was named the official state dog in 1979.Īccording to the American Kennel Club (AKC) account of the breed history, Spanish explorer Hemando de Soto's expedition arrived in Florida in 1539 and journeyed into Louisiana. Therefore, these canines have long held a special place in the heart of Louisianans. The exact origins of the Catahoula Leopard Dog are unknown, but it is believed that these dogs first emerged in the United States in Louisiana. 12 Miniature Dachshund Insights Unleashed (Plus Puppy Pics!).16 Contenders for the World’s Biggest Dog Breed.Heart-Wrenching Facts and Statistics About Puppy Mills.No matter which name is used, each refers to the same breed. Today, you'll hear these dogs referred to as Catahoulas, Catahoula curs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs, and Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dogs. Since the dogs carried spotting in their coats, similar to a leopard, this description was worked into the name. Catahoula is a Choctaw Indian word that translates as "sacred lake." Since the dogs originated in the area around Lake Catahoula, it was only natural that they eventually became known as Catahoulas themselves.
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