Catahoula Leopard Dog Information
The Catahoula Leopard Dog comes from the hunting dogs of the 1500's (Greyhounds and Mastiffs) with red wolf and Beauceron combined. The word Catahoula comes from the Indian word for Choctaw, and although the native phonetics were mispronounced by the French, the name stuck.
They are fairly large dogs, males standing at 22-26 inches at the withers, and females 20-24 inches at the withers. They have great muscle tone, yet they are trim and athletic.
They are very confident dogs, and some can have dog aggression, which is a very serious behavioral problem that pet owners must deal with. It is preventable if the owner understands the breed and the factors that influence the development of the aggressive behavior.
The key to the Catahoula is socialization. Knowing the breed and understanding the importance of socialization from the age of 3 weeks of age is best, so make sure the breeder you choose has kept up on the socialization process with their young puppies. Never, under any circumstances, buy a Catahoula from anyone but a reputable breeder or rescue group who is familiar with the breed. It's not a breed commonly found in pet shops, however if you happen to find one, do not purchase under any circumstances. Breeders who sell off their puppies to pet shops are not reputable and have not taken the time to socialize their Catahoula's.
Puppies that are raised in kennels where they get very little human handling will often remain shy of people, especially if they are not sold prior to 14 weeks old. They may always be fearful, especially under stressful conditions.
When the puppy comes into a new home, it should be gently handled by the family and not harshly disciplined. This breed takes a great deal of patience.
They are very intelligent dogs, as well as very energetic. They need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to keep them happy. They are incredible working dogs and excel in herding, hunting, police and protection work. They are usually very protective and territorial of their family and home, and make excellent watch dogs.
They are not a recommended breed for those who do not have experience with large assertive breeds, and surely not for the first time dog owner.
Their coat is short to medium in length, and can be any combination of colors, although leopards are predominate.
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