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Catahoula bulldog
A male 75/25-type Catahoula bulldog
Foundation stock	Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog, American Bulldog
Variety status	Not recognized as a breed by any major kennel club.
Dog (domestic dog)

The Catahoula bulldog is a crossbreed dog created by crossing the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog and the American Bulldog, either as a first generation cross, or subsequent generations with no less than 25% nor more than 75% of each breed. The Catahoula bulldog is a medium- to large-sized dog utilized as a hunting, working and guard dog. It is also used in feral hog hunting and pest control. Catahoula bulldogs have been in existence for over 100 years, found mainly in the southern United States. They are not currently recognized by any of the major kennel clubs.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.They have the ability to be great companions and have a good temperament to children.

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 Louisiana 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 a bear-hunting dog, Catahoula bulldogs excel at it, having the size and aggressiveness of the American Bulldog as well as the intelligence and hunting ability of the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog. From the American Bulldog, the crossbreed acquired the great jaw strength, heavier torso and more robust legs.

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 for hunting bears. While the Louisiana 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 Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog had the intelligence, speed, endurance and the instincts of hunting and herding.

In the 1960's, and for several decades until it went out of business, a registry named Animal Research Foundation (ARF) kept records of pedigrees.

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) are the Olde English Bulldogge (recognized as a breed by the UKC) and the Perro de Presa Mallorquin ("saved" from extinction by extensive crossbreeding), among other, more experimental crosses.

Gallery

• A male blue merle 50/50-type Catahoula bulldog
• Fawn
• A male 11-week old "red leopard" Catahoula bulldog
• A male 50/50-type Catahoula bulldog

References

1. Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
2. "Catahoula Bulldog by Bulldog Information". Bulldoginformation.com. Retrieved 2016-04-07.
3. "CATAHOULA BULLDOG". Archived from the original on March 14, 2005.
4. Dog World: And the Humans Who Live There, Alfred Gingold, 2005, 228 pages, p. 174, Google Books webpage: BGoogle-IL.

• Articles with unsourced statements from August 13, 2019
• Bulldog breeds
• Molossers
• Herding dogs
• Hunting dogs
• Catch dog breeds
• Dog breeds originating in the United States