History of Breed:
The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog, also known as the Catahoula Cur, Catahoula Hog Dog, or simply the Catahoula, is named after Catahoula Lake in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana in America. Of remaining dog breeds, the Catahoula is believed to have occupied North America the longest, aside from the dogs descended from Native American-created breeds.

• Theory 1: The origin of the breed is thought to have descended from "war dogs," Mastiffs and Greyhounds, brought to Louisiana by Hernando de Soto in the 16th century and left behind by the explorer's party and interbred by the local Indians with their semi-domesticated Red Wolves. 

• Theory 2: It is also thought that the Catahoula breed may be the descendants of the Peruvian Inca Orchid dog and Beauceron. It is believed that the Peruvian Inca Orchid was acquired by the Spanish conquistadors and moved northward from South America interbreding with Native American dogs. French explorers invaded the area in the late 1600s with their Beauceron which displays the leopard (merle) coloration of some Catahoulas. 

• Herding: They are used for herding cattle, sheep, goats, and hogs. Instead of all day boundary patrol and restriction like that used by German Shepherds, Border Collies, Belgian Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, etc. Catahoulas use agitation and intimidation of herded animals to keep containment. 
• Hunting: These dogs are also outstanding tracking and hunting dogs, commonly used for hunting wild boar or pigs, squirrel, deer, raccoon and American black bear. They are currently being used in Australia where they have been found to be a superior wild boar hunting dog. One Catahoula Leopard is capable of keeping a 300 pound boar at bay. 
• Other work: The breed is capable of service to handicapped owners, police work, rescue work, and drug detection.

Coat colors:
Catahoulas have a single, short, dense coat in a variety of colors. According to Don Abney, an authority on the breed, the term "Leopard" refers to merles which may be blue, gray, black, white, liver, red, and patched. Patched dogs are predominantly white with any color patches. Solid colors are black, red, chocolate, yellow, and brindle.

Feet: 
Like other dogs, a Catahoula has webbed feet. However, the amount of webbing between the toes is greater than any other breed.

Eye Color:
Eye color can be amber or all brown and are best known for having haunting, light-blue "glass eyes", or half-blue and half-brown "cracked" eyes. 

Weight and Height: 
Weight: 45 to 90 lbs. 
Height: Females 20-24 inches. Males 22-26 inches.

Intelligence:
Intelligence has come from the practice of hunting boar where several Catahoulas would track boar or wild pigs and stop a smaller pig. The boar or pig would then squeal attracting the largest male. The Catahoulas would turn and head back toward a make-shift pen just ahead of the boar where they entered and jumped over the rear of the pen trapping the boar or hog. The less apt and agile Catahoulas did not make the jump and were often killed by the boar. Therefore, intelligence is by survival of the brightest and most agile.

Activity Level:
Activity level is not as high as that of a Border Collie or other high activity dogs. Catahoulas are content to lounge and relax as much as play or work hard.

Temperament: 
Catahoulas have been bred more for their temperament and ability than for general appearance hence the great variety of coat colors and eye colors. There are beautiful specimens of Catahoula especially in the merle or patchwork types. They are independent, assertive, very protective, and very territorial. In general they are very loving with their families and familiar people. They can be reserved with strangers including strange children though this is not the rule. They have high energy levels and good physical strength.

• Learning rate: Very high
• Watch-dog rating: Very High
• Guard-dog rating: Very High 
• Companion-dog rating: Very High

Cross Breeding: Catahoulas are an excellent base breed to obtain specialized dogs. Catahoulas have been crossed with Australian Shepherd which produces a specialized herding dog with a more subtle demeanor. Also Catahoulas are bred with American Bulldogs in a formula of 75% Catahoula and 25% American Bulldog to get a hybrid, the Catahoula Bulldog. This recognized breed has the intelligence, aggressiveness, stamina, and energy of the Catahoula and the size, jaw strength, aggressiveness, and robust legs of the American Bulldog and is specifically used for catching and holding hogs as well as hunting bear.

Recognition:
United Kennel Club, States Kennel Club (Mississippi), American Rare Breed Association, National Association of Louisiana Catahoula, American Pet Registry Inc., American Canine Registry.

Links:
Puppy Dog Web
Dog Breed Info
Central Pets
American Catahoula Association