|
Catahoula Leopard Dog
The Catahoula Leopard Dog is
reputed to be the only true Native American breed.
History:
The Catahoula Leopard Dog, or
Catahoula Hog Dog, or Leopard Stock Dog as it is also known,
takes its official name from the Parish of Catahoula in
Louisiana in America. Records show that the Spanish traveled
through Louisiana before it was so named, and traded hogs and
corn to the Native Indians. They also had with them dogs of
the same breed as the modern Great Dane, which at the time
were renowned hunters of boar. These dogs were left with the
Indians and developed by natural selection into the breed that
we know today.
By 1570, the Indians were
using these dogs to find wild hogs so that they could mark
them. The dogs would find the hogs and then bay to alert the
Indians of the find. There were few pure-bred Catahoulas left
by the 1950s and so three interested men set up a registry,
and worked to promote and preserve the breed. Some people took
advantage of this to register dogs that were the right color,
or mixed breeds, and the Catahoula developed a bad reputation
from these irresponsible dealings. Despite this bad publicity,
the Catahoula Leopard Dog was adopted as the state dog of
Louisiana in 1979.
Physical
characteristics:
Unlike most herding breeds,
the Catahoula closely resembles a hound. Height: 20 - 28 in
(51 - 71 cm). Weight: 40 - 100 lb (18 - 45 kg). It is not a
large-bodied breed, but is more lithe and agile, although
still muscular and strong. Its short coat is very dense to
withstand the rough bush through which it must pursue the
stock. It can come in any color imaginable, but the best known
coat color is the blue and gray base with black spots, white
toes and chest, and tan markings on the legs and face. It can
also have blue, brown or particolored eyes, or a combination
of these.
Behavior:
The Catahoula Leopard takes
its confidence from its large athletic build. Over many
generations, this noble-spirited animal has developed into a
good working dog.. Although its original purpose was for use
as a herding dog, it was discovered to also be a reliable
watch-dog.
 | 