Catahoula bulldog

Catahoula bulldog
A fawn Catahoula bulldog displaying "ice blue" eye and amber eye.
Foundation stock Catahoula Leopard Dog, American Bulldog
Variety status Not recognized as a standardized breed by any major kennel club.
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Catahoula bulldog is a crossbreed dog created by crossing the Catahoula Cur and the American Bulldog.

Currently, they are not considered a breed by any major fancier and breeder organization.

Appearance

The Catahoula bulldog is a medium to large sized dog weighing in at 34-45.3 kg (75-100 lb). The height is 55–66 cm (20-26 inches) at the shoulders.[1]

The dog has the American Bulldog's muscular build with tight skin and a very short, smooth coat. Normally it does not have an undercoat but in seasonal or colder climates one may develop.[2] Catahoula bulldogs come in a wide variety of colors—white, black and white, black, sable brown, brown and white and sometimes even black and brown, with or without merle.[1]

The eyes can be a soft to dark brown, amber, ice blue, emerald green, gold or a combination of these in cases of heterochromia. Ears can be a rose type to button over and are sometimes cropped. The Catahoula bulldog tends to use the ears in a very expressive manner. Their tails are also sometimes docked.


A female red/tan 75/25-type Catahoula bulldog.

Temperament

Though utilized as a hunting, working, and guard dog, Catahoula bulldogs are often companion animals. They are said to be loyal and protective of its people, yet very calm and observant of its environment.[2]

Herding and hunting

The result of combining the two breeds was a large, rugged, and intelligent dog, with increased utility in both hunting and herding.

In herding, Catahoula bulldogs have the natural abilities of the Catahoula Leopard Dog, using intimidation to herd on ranches and farms. In hog-catching, this crossbreed is strong and intelligent for actual catching of hogs. As an bear-hunting dog, Catahoula bulldogs excel as it, having the size and aggressiveness of the American Bulldog as well as the intelligence and hunting ability of the Catahoula Leopard Dog. From the American Bulldog, the crossbreed acquired the great jaw strength, heavier torso, and more-robust legs.[1]

History

Catahoula bulldogs have been in existence for over 100 years, found mainly in the southern United States. It is reported that ranchers wanted a dual-purpose dog for herding and catching hogs as well as hunting bears. While the Catahoula Leopard Dog was very skilled at luring a hog to a pen then escaping over the back of the pen, it was not large or robust enough to catch a hog by itself. The American Bulldog had the extra size and weight as well as being an excellent catch dog with a strong jaw, while the Catahoula Leopard had the intelligence, speed, endurance and the instincts of hunting and herding.[3]

Catahoula bulldogs are one example among many of niche working crossbreeds (as opposed to "designer dogs" crossbred for appearance) that are in development. Others (often with pseudo-archaic names) have been dubbed the Olde English Bulldogge (recognized as a breed by UKC) and Ca de Bou ("saved" from extinction by extensive crossbreeding), among more experimental crosses.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Marlene Zwettler (2013). The Great Book of Bulldogs, Bull Terrier and Molosser: Part I Bulldogs & Bull Terrier. epubli. p. 54. ISBN 978-3-8442-3922-5.
  2. 1 2 "Catahoula Bulldog Dog Breed Information and Pictures". www.dogbreedinfo.com. Retrieved 2017-04-23.
  3. ↑ "Catahoula Bulldog by Bulldog Information". Bulldoginformation.com. Retrieved 2016-04-07.
  4. ↑ Dog World: And the Humans Who Live There, Alfred Gingold, 2005, 228 pages, p. 174, Google Books webpage: BGoogle-IL.
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