
Their tendency to bark at strangers, combined with their strong protective instincts, make them excellent watchdogs.Ĭatahoulas get along well with older children who are able to treat them with gentleness and respect, especially if raised with them from the time they're puppies. Their intense prey drive also makes them unsafe around cats and other small pets, cautions The Spruce Pets.

While they can be taught to get along with other dogs of the opposite sex, they may become aggressive with dogs of the same sex. If properly socialized from puppyhood, Catahoulas aren't aggressive toward people, but they do tend to be wary and aloof around strangers. The Catahoula Leopard Dog temperament is intense, serious and focused when working out in the field, and protective, playful and affectionate at home with their family. The long, tapered tail is often carried high and should be left undocked. The uncropped ears are set level with or slightly below the top of the head and hang in angular folds next to the cheeks. The head has a broad skull with defined cheekbones and a long snout housing a mouth with a normal bite. Though their bodies are muscular, they're streamlined and agile rather than stocky. 43 kg) and reaching up to 24 inches (0.61 m) at the withers. This is a medium-large breed, ranging from 50 to 95 pounds (ca. Often, two colors exist in the same eye, as either a "cracked" appearance, in which the eye is split into two different colors, or as a spotted appearance. Blue, green and amber are also common, and it's not unusual for this breed to have different colored eyes. Although some have brown eyes, it's more common to see "glass" eyes that are a very pale blue, almost white in appearance. The Catahoula dog's eyes are just as striking. Possible coat colors include black, white, gray, silver, blue, buff, tan and red. While this breed is sometimes a solid color with patches of white on their chest, face or legs, the Catahoula's short to medium-length single coat can have up to five different colors, consisting of one base color covered with multicolored spots and trim, notes the National Association of Louisiana Catahoulas, Inc. Also known as the Catahoula cur, the Catahoula hog dog or Catahoula, the "Leopard" in this breed's official name refers to their multicolored, spotted coat.
