How tall do catahoula dogs get

It will save you money in the long run. Disreputable breeders and facilities that deal with puppy mills can be hard to distinguish from reliable operations. Puppies should be temperament tested, vetted, dewormed, and socialized to give them a healthy, confident start in life.

If you put as much effort into researching your puppy as you would when buying a new car, it will save you money in the long run. Before you decide to buy a puppy, consider whether an adult Catahoula Leopard Dog may better suit your lifestyle. Puppies are loads of fun, but they require a good deal of time and effort before they grow up to be the dog of your dreams. If you are interested in acquiring an older dog through breeders, ask them about purchasing a retired show dog or if they know of an adult dog who needs a new home.

If you want to adopt a dog, read the advice below on how to do that. There are many great options available if you want to adopt a dog from an animal shelter or breed rescue organization. Here is how to get started. Sites like Petfinder. The site allows you to be very specific in your requests housetraining status, for example or very general all the Catahoulas available on Petfinder across the country.

AnimalShelter can help you find animal rescue groups in your area. Social media is another great way to find a dog. Post on your Facebook page that you are looking for a specific breed so that your entire community can be your eyes and ears. Start talking with all the pet pros in your area about your desire for a Catahoula. That includes vets, dog walkers, and groomers. When someone has to make the tough decision to give up a dog, that person will often ask her own trusted network for recommendations.

Most people who love Catahoulas love all Catahoulas. You can also search online for other Bulldog rescues in your area. The great thing about breed rescue groups is that they tend to be very upfront about any health conditions the dogs may have and are a valuable resource for advice. They also often offer fostering opportunities so, with training, you could bring a Catahoula Leopard Dog home with you to see what the experience is like.

You now know the things to discuss with a breeder, but there are also questions you should discuss with shelter or rescue group staff or volunteers before you bring home a dog. These include:. Wherever you acquire your Catahoula Leopard Dog, make sure you have a good contract with the seller, shelter or rescue group that spells out responsibilities on both sides.

Petfinder offers an Adopters Bill of Rights that helps you understand what you can consider normal and appropriate when you get a dog from a shelter. Puppy or adult, take your Catahoula Leopard Dog to your veterinarian soon after adoption. Your veterinarian will be able to spot problems, and will work with you to set up a preventive regimen that will help you avoid many health issues.

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Check out our collection of more than videos about pet training, animal behavior, dog and cat breeds and more. Wonder which dog or cat best fits your lifestyle? Our new tool will narrow down more than breeds for you. If the video doesn't start playing momentarily, please install the latest version of Flash.

Catahoula Leopard Dog. Eva Maria Kramer, Animal Photography. Breed Group: Herding Height: 20 to 26 inches at the shoulder Weight: 50 to 95 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years The hard-working Catahoula Leopard Dog, the official canine of Louisiana, was developed to catch and drive wild hogs and cattle to market.

Breed Characteristics Adaptability How easily a dog deals with change. Tendency to enjoy or tolerate other dogs. Amount and frequency of dog hair shedding. Amount of warmth or friendliness displayed. Level of daily activity needed. About Catahoula Puppies One of the first things you'll notice when looking at Catahoula puppies is that they vary widely in appearance.

What Is a Catahoula Mix? Catahoula Common Features Since there is so much variability within the Catahoula breed, it's important to be aware of the common characteristics that exist among these types of dogs.

Catahoula Leopard Dog temperament Catahoulas also have consistent personality and temperament characteristics. Catahoula Breed Coloring Variations Coloring is one of the areas where these dogs exhibit the most variability.

Different Ear Shapes While you can identify some breeds by distinctive ear shapes, this is not true of Catahoulas. Catahoula Size Catahoulas are big-boned, stocky canines, but they are not a giant breed. Where to Find Catahoula Puppies for Sale People who love this breed focus on continuing bloodlines of healthy, intelligent dogs that are representative of the full spectrum of Catahoula characteristics. A list of member breeders is available on the website.

How Much Is a Catahoula Dog? Bringing a Catahoula Into Your Home Catahoulas are true working dogs that are fiercely loyal and extremely smart. Catahoula Leopard Dog. How to Socialize a Dog. By Mychelle Blake. Overcoming Common Housebreaking Problems.

By Mary Gormandy White. Cheap Whelping Box Ideas and Plans. Canine False Pregnancy. Canine Companions for Independence Interview. Therapy Dog Training Interview. Do It Yourself Pet Urn. Cute Dog Pictures. A Puppy at Christmas Time. Length : Short to medium Characteristics : Single-coated, smooth to course Colors : Blue, gray, black, tan, liver, red, white, chocolate, buff.

May be multicolored, spotted, merle, patched or solid Overall Grooming Needs : Low. 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. 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.

Possible coat colors include black, white, gray, silver, blue, buff, tan and red. The Catahoula dog's eyes are just as striking. Although some have brown eyes, it's more common to see "glass" eyes that are a very pale blue, almost white in appearance. Blue, green and amber are also common, and it's not unusual for this breed to have different colored eyes. 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.

This is a medium-large breed, ranging from 50 to 95 pounds ca. Though their bodies are muscular, they're streamlined and agile rather than stocky. The head has a broad skull with defined cheekbones and a long snout housing a mouth with a normal bite. 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 long, tapered tail is often carried high and should be left undocked. 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.

If properly socialized from puppyhood, Catahoulas aren't aggressive toward people, but they do tend to be wary and aloof around strangers. 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.

Their intense prey drive also makes them unsafe around cats and other small pets, cautions The Spruce Pets. Their tendency to bark at strangers, combined with their strong protective instincts, make them excellent watchdogs.

Catahoulas 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. But they should be closely supervised around small children and infants. This breed is best suited for families with older children or teens who can participate in training and take a firm but gentle hand.

It's important for all members of the family to deal fairly with these dogs, who won't hesitate to defend themselves if they perceive they're being mistreated, says Dogtime. Catahoula Leopard Dogs feel most at home on a farm or ranch with livestock to herd and plenty of space to run and play.

Barring that, they need a home with a large, fenced-in yard, and they need to be provided with an outlet for their herding and tracking instincts. This breed excels in hunting and tracking sports, as well as in agility and obedience training. Your Catahoula will need at least an hour of physical exercise a day. They make a great companion for an active pet parent who enjoys running, hiking or long walks.

But because of their aggression toward other dogs and their tendency to chase small animals, they may not be the best candidates for dog parks, and they should never be allowed off leash. In addition to physical exercise, Catahoulas need mental stimulation through sports, interactive games or training activities. Without it, they'll become bored, which could lead to destructive behavior.

Despite their love for the outdoors, this isn't a breed who can be left outside. Catahoulas hate to be left alone for long; they need to spend plenty of quality time with their human pack.

Crate training from an early age, combined with treat-dispensing puzzle toys to keep them occupied, can help keep them calm and contained when it's necessary to leave them alone for a few hours. Catahoulas are highly intelligent and fairly easy to train. They do possess an independent streak that can make them stubborn at times, so it's important to be firm and patient as well as fair and gentle.

Clear expectations and consistency will go a long way toward earning your Catahoula's respect and obedience. Overall, these pups are eager to please and tend to be motivated by praise. This is a hardy breed that generally has very few health problems.