Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog
| Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog | ||
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| Not from the FCI recognized | ||
| Origin : | ||
| Alternative names: |
Catahoula Leopard Dog |
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| Withers height: |
Male: ideal 24 inches (61 cm) |
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| Weight: |
50–95 lbs (22.5–43 kg), proportional to size |
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| Breeding standards: | ||
| List of domestic dogs | ||
The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog is not from the FCI recognized dog breed in the United States. The breed is recognized by the UKC and is listed by the AKC for possible recognition in its Foundation Stock Service . The breed has been the official state dog of the US state of Louisiana since 1979 .
Origin and history
The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog is a working dog , very little is known about the history of its origins. One theory is that Native Americans crossed their dogs with "war dogs" ( Molossians and Greyhounds ) brought with them by the Spaniards under Hernando de Soto in the 16th century. Another theory suggests that the breed dates back to crossbreeds between Beaucerons , introduced to North America by French settlers in the 19th century, and Aboriginal dogs. A possible descent of these dogs from red wolves has meanwhile been refuted by DNA analyzes.
The word Catahoula comes from the Choctaw language . Its exact meaning is unclear; it could be a combination of the words “okhata” (lake) and “hullo” (loved, sanctified) or a French modification of the Choctaw's own name “Couthaougoula”.
description
The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog is a medium-sized, compactly built dog of the Cur type. Males grow up to 66 cm high and weigh up to 43 kg, bitches can reach 61 cm high. The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog has short, close-fitting fur.
According to the breed standard of the UKC, all colors except white are allowed as the basic color, with the following variations:
- Solid: one color
- Leopard: Merle colors (Red Leopard corresponds to Red Merle, Blue Leopard to Blue Merle)
- Brindle: Brindle
- Patchwork: spots of various sizes in one or more colors and shades, randomly distributed on the body; one color can - but does not have to - predominate
With all color forms, white or other colored markings are also allowed, which can be located on the chest, the cheeks, above the eyes, on the legs, on the underside and / or under the tail (for example a white chest or a brand ). Only a white proportion over 90%, a pure white head or the presence of albinism lead to the disqualification of a dog at shows, a white proportion over 70% is considered a serious fault .
The eyes can be of any color. This also includes dogs with two different colored eyes (complete iris heterochromia ) or with the phenomenon known as cracked glass eye (s) or marbled glass eye (s) of a two-tone iris (sectorial iris heterochromia).
Essence and use
The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog was originally used for hunting wild boars and raccoons and for driving cattle herds (cowherding). It is versatile and very intelligent, which has led to the fact that it is now used in other areas in addition to hunting and driving work. Due to its well-developed sense of smell, it is suitable, for example, as a rescue and tracking dog. But he can also prove his toughness, endurance, agility and speed in other areas, e.g. As the Agility or as protection and guard dog . His water friendliness, self-confidence, intelligence, independence and very high learning ability distinguish him. If he has tracked down a wild boar, he indicates this by barking continuously and does not allow the game to escape. In doing so, he faces the game and forces it to turn to him. However, it is not suitable for retrieving, since it barks at the game and, if necessary, bites into it (it stands and barks and holds). It is extremely robust and insensitive to pain; even the coldest winters don't bother him and he likes to go into any body of water.
literature
- Don Abney: The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog . Doral, Wilsonville 1996, ISBN 0-944875-44-0 .
