The Catahoula Leopard Dog, or Catahoula Cur, is one of the oldest breeds of dogs that has occupied North America. The Catahoula is sometimes mistakenly referred to as or considered a hound, but it is a Cur. It is not clear how they originally came to North America, but some theories suggest Catahoula Leopard Dogs are descendants of dogs brought over in the 16th century by the Spanish. Their name comes from the Choctaw words “Okhata” meaning lake, and “hullo” meaning beloved. When the French arrived in the 1800s, they were told stories of strange and eerie looking dogs the Indians used to hunt game.

The Catahoula’s strange appearance is due to the fact that they were bred for their temperament and working ability rather than their appearance. Because of this, the Catahoula’s appearance can widely vary. They have short dense coats that can range in texture from coarse to slick, to woolly (double coat). Their colors can include black, gray, tri- and quad-colored, and patchwork. Their eyes don’t have a typical color, but they do have a “marbled” or “cracked” glass effect. This effect was one thing that made the dogs appearance so different to Europeans and added to their “eerie” quality. Their tails are usually long, but there is a rare trait of a bob tail that occurs naturally within the breed. Their feet are what make them great dogs for the marshy areas of Louisiana. The webbing on their feet is more prominent than in other breeds and allows them to walk easier in marshy areas and helps them be excellent swimmers. When Catahoula Leopard dog puppies are only a few weeks old, you will be able to tell what their final appearance will be.

The Catahoula is an intelligent and energetic dog and is great for a family. The dogs can get carried away when they play, so if you buy Catahoula Leopard dog puppies it is a good idea to teach them to control how they play. They are not a high energy level dog like some other breeds, but when you are playing, make sure that you watch and prevent the dog from unintentionally hurting anyone by running into them or jumping on them. They need interaction and can do well in apartments as long as you spend time interacting with them.

Children can benefit from having a Catahoula in their home because of their need for interaction. You can buy a Catahoula Leopard dog puppy and have it grow with your children. Kids can easily keep up with the puppies need for play and when as the dog grows older, the children can handle the playful nature of the adult dog with less of a chance of them being injured by the dog running into them. The Catahoula is an assertive dog, but not aggressive, so you don’t have to worry about it interacting badly with your children or their friends. The average lifespan of the dog is 12 to 13 years, to this breed of dog can last throughout your children’s childhood and well into their teen years.