Catahoula Leopard Dog Breed Information - All About Dogs

Catahoula Leopard Dog

Catahoula Leopard Dog

CATAHOULA LEOPARD DOG BREED

Description:

Presumably, the Catahoula Leopard Dog is a direct descendant of fighting dog breeds, such as the Mastiff and the Greyhound. These dogs have very successfully applied their talents in herding cattle and hunting game such as squirrel, deer, bear, raccoon and wild boar. In 1979, the Catahoula Leopard Dog became the official symbol of the State of Louisiana.

Height: 20-26 inches  Weight: 50-90 pounds  Lifespan: 12-13 years

Characteristics:

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is an athletic and agile dog, originally from the United States of America. This dog is extremely energetic and enthusiastic. Catahoula Leopards are very muscular, medium to large in size. Their unique feature is clearly noticeable webbed paws, which gives them the ability to work in swampy areas and to swim with ease.

Character:

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is not recommended for inexperienced dog breeders. It is rather unsocial and unfriendly toward other dogs or pets. Also, this breed is not suited for families with small children. The Catahoula Leopard will protect his family and territory, becoming very aggressive toward possible intruders. Nevertheless, this beautiful dog gets extremely attached to his owner, he is playful and loving.

Coat / Care:

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is covered with a single-layered coat. The hair is short, smooth and somewhat firm. This dog requires minimum maintenance. Hence, it is enough to occasionally clean your pet with a stiff brush and bathe him only when necessary. It is important to regularly check on the ears and the dog’s paws in order to remove dirt and debris.

Health Problems:

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is generally healthy dog breed, but like all breeds, they can be prone to one-sided or two-sided deafness and/or blindness. Also, there may be some problems with dysplasia of hip joints. The Catahoula Leopard Dog has a life expectancy of 12 to 13 years.

Weight / Height

The male Catahoula Leopard Dog breed’s height is around 22 – 26 inches and weighs around 65 and 90 pounds. Female Catahoula Leopard Dogs can reach a size from 20 – 24 inches and weighs between 50 and 65 pounds.

Training:

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is very confident, he acts decisively and seeks to dominate. Therefore, this breed needs a strong, dominant and active owner. It is important to carry out early education in order to teach your dog obedience and submission. Teaching methods should be based on firmness, fairness and consistency.

Activity:

Since dogs of this breed are so energetic, they need an increased amount of everyday exercises. The Catahoula Leopard Dog is not suitable for living in a city apartment. On the contrary, he needs a job to do or to hunt with the family. These dogs are especially notable in agility. If Catahoula Leopards are left neglected, their behavior can be devastating.

Photo credit: iraxmas/Flickr

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