Catahoula Leopard Hound Information

This breed is protective and loving. They get along well with their family and their children, but can be shy and reserved around strangers. They should be socialized from a young age. Because of their tendency towards independence, they require an owner that takes pack leadership seriously. You must be willing to train them so that they understand who is in charge. Proper training will ensure that your dog is happy and healthy and non-aggressive towards family members.

The Catahoula Leopard Hound is an excellent family dog that can do well in an apartment but is better suited for a home with lots of room to roam. This is not a breed that can be ignored as they thrive on attention and activity, so ignoring them will make them shy and aggressive. Spend time training them and they will be happy and well-directed. This is an ideal hunting breed used for everything from treeing raccoons, to hunting bears and herding cattle. If you aren't a hunter, supplement these activities with a daily walk or run. This is a single-coated dog with few grooming needs. Be aware, if the weather turns chilly, keep your dog in a warm dog house or in the house itself as their coat does not provide enough cover to keep them warm.

Catahoula Leopard Hounds are prone to hip dysplasia, deafness, and some eye problems. Deafness can manifest in both ears or in just one and is due to a lack of melanocytes. Predominantly white dogs are prone to deafness. Hip Dysplasia is relatively common amongst purebred dogs and is easily diagnosed by a veterinarian. It is not recommended that you take young pups out running until they have been cleared by a veterinarian. Eye problems include tunnel vision, abnormal pupil, and other issues. Otherwise this is a very healthy breed with no other notable health problems.

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is an American breed named after the Catahoula Parish in Louisiana. An old breed, it is believed to be the second oldest breed in the United States. There is little known about the true history of the breed, however one theory is that the Native Americans bred their dogs to the Molossers and Greyhounds brought to the area by Hernando de Soto in the 1500's. Another theory suggests that the breed was not developed until three centuries later in the 1800's when the French settlers brought the Beauceron to the area. Regardless of their heritage, the Catahoula has been a prized hunting dog in the region for generations and a number of famous Americans, such as Jim Bowie and Teddy Roosevelt, have been proud to utilize their amazing hunting abilities. In 1979 the Catahoula was named the state dog of Louisiana.

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