Catahoula Leopard Dog
Louisiana's state dog, marbled in the coat and often glass eyed. It works wild hogs in swamp country, and the webbed feet are for exactly that ground.
Overview
The Catahoula is Louisiana's state dog, developed from Native American dogs crossed with Spanish and French imports, and it was bred to work wild hogs in swamp and forest. That is genuinely dangerous work and it produced a genuinely hard dog.
The merle coat, the glass eyes and the webbed feet are all breed characteristics. The webbing is functional in the swamp, and the glass eyes are a merle effect.
Temperament
Independent, intense and protective. Catahoulas are loyal to their own people and reserved to unfriendly with strangers, and they are not a soft breed.
They are dominant with other dogs and same sex aggression is common. The prey drive is very high. This is a working dog that needs an experienced owner and a job, and it is a poor fit for a first time owner or a household wanting a family pet.
Care and grooming
A short single coat, a weekly brush, light shedding. Very easy.
Merle to merle breeding produces double merle puppies with a high risk of deafness and blindness, and it should be a hard question for any breeder. Deafness occurs in the breed independently of that. Hip dysplasia is worth asking about.
Living and exercise
Two hours a day minimum of real work. They have serious stamina and they are unhappy without an outlet.
Secure fencing and space. They are best suited to rural properties and to owners who will hunt, work stock or train seriously with them.
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