Catahoulas Are Curs

Curs are a type of dog. The name sounds rather derisory, but there is nothing substandard about these dogs. Catahoula Leopard Dogs, Curs and mixes are in danger of bing lost as their numbers dwindle and the throroughbreds become more popular. Currently our frined has one of these puppies. She is almost 8 months and weighs just over 50lbs. She is an absolute joy!

Cur breeds were developed first and foremost for their performance, with their working instinct being the first factor a breeder would consider. A medium to medium-large sized, short coated dog, they are powerfully built, but yet fast and agile while trailing in rough terrain and swampy areas.

It has been said that dogs left behind by the explorer's party were interbred by the local Indians with a semidomesticated Red Wolf. The "Red Wolf" theory, however, was mainly proposed on the incorrect assumption that the Native Americans were "too uncivilized" to have domesticated animals prior to the arrival of Europeans, leaving the Red Wolf as the only canine in the region with which the Spanish dogs could have mated, when in fact this is not true.

Dogs are everyone/'s personal companions. Dogs in the Herding Group (Pastoral Group of breeds) include the Catahoula Leopard and they were developed to perform a variety of tasks relating mainly to the herding of stock. The types of stock that these dogs work with are quite diverse and include sheep, cattle, reindeer and any other cloven footed animals.

Catahoulas are naturally protective of what and whom they think they own. In fact, many owners will say that the Catahoula owns them. Catahoulas are a dominant breed by nature, so YOU must always be in control! They are also very territorial, and do not always descriminate between friend or foe, so we do not advise that you let a Catahoula, or indeed any dog for that matter, run free without supervision.

The short, single coat is colored in a merle or black/tan pattern. Some coats can be coarse, but most are short and tight. The colors of this breed are a striking feature in this herding dog. Eye color and coat color can often work in a very complementary and characterful way. The skull is broad and flat. The legs are solid and strong boned. The deep chest provides for good heart and lung capacity. This is altogether a very well built dog.

The temperament of the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog is independent, protective, and territorial. Loving with their family and all people they know well but can be reserved with strangers (this would include strange children).

Socialize them well preferably at a young age. They need to be allowed to come up and smell a person. They mature right around 2 years of age.

This breed is very affectionate with their owner and family, but nevertheless, The Catahoula is not recommended for an owner who does not take the way dogs can become disruptive if allowed to become the so called /pack leader/. With this breed you need to be aware and take this issue seriously.

For the right owner, who understands the importance of structure, leadership, and exercise the Catahoula can make a wonderful pet. The objective in training this dog is for the master of the dog to be just that. The owner must been seen by their dog as the pack leader. If the dog assumes that status it will lead to traouble!. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack.

A dog when pack leader will see his owner as a subordinate and thi can ead to times when he/she will communicate displeasure with growling and eventually biting, and also with this breed all other humans in contact with the dog must be higher up in the order than the dog.