Willow is a Catahoula Leopard Dog and Bluetick Coonhound from Delaware, Ohio and a graduate of the Homestead Dogs Puppy Training and Socialization Camp. Way to Go, Willow!

Catahoula Leopard Dog

Only from the land of Gumbo.

The Catahoula Leopard Dog has many names, Catahoula Hound, Catahoula Hog Dog, Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog and Catahoula Cur. There’s just as many theories as to its origins.

One consistency is Catahoula, which is a lake in northern Louisiana (although some believe it could have been a translation error derived from the Choctaw tribe of the region). The other consistency is the Native American’s wolf-like canine. One thought is the Spanish crossed their Bloodhounds, Mastiffs and Greyhounds with this wolf-like dog. When the French arrived with their hounds, they were cross-bred again leading to the Catahoula.

Another theory has the American Indians doing the cross-breeding with the newly arrived Greyhounds and Molossers. Yet another had the French mix the Native American’s canine with their Beauceron breed.

No matter how you slice it, the Catahoula Leopard dog is a Louisiana original and remains so to this day, becoming the official state dog in 1979.

Similar to a few other working dogs, the Catahoula is not recognized by the AKC but is by the United Kennel Club. Like those other workers, some felt the AKC’s focus on breed physical appearance could potentially diminish it’s working skills.

Trainability: C+
The Catahoula Leopard Dog is extremely intelligent with an amazing work ethic. While not the most cuddly dog, they love their people and will be fiercely loyal to a gentle, firm-handed owner. However, this dog MUST have a job, or jobs, to do and have plenty of running room. A first-time dog owner who prefers to simply relax after work in their small apartment in a densely packed city is a recipe for disaster.

Read more about the Catahoula Leopard Dog at the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club.