If you have children and seek a pet or dog with a distinctive design and exhibit weird but entertaining behavior, a Catahoula heller mix is your dog. As responsible parents, we must conduct thorough research before adopting any hybridized dog.
The Catahoula Heeler is a mixed breed. It is referred to as the Australian Cattle Dog, which is a hybrid between the blue or red heeler and the Catahoula leopard dog. This dog breed is intelligent, fun, energetic, and alert; they also need special care, frequent exercise, and intense exercise.
Numerous aspects will influence how effective maintaining a Catahoula heeler in your household will be for your lifestyle and your family. These dogs are fragile; therefore, they need special care to stay alive and enjoy a long and happy life.
Catahoula Heeler Dog Breed
The Catahoula dog is a very rare breed today. The dog’s history could be traced back to Louisiana, near Catahoula Lake, where it was said to have originated from. According to history, the Catahoula is a result of the mix that occurred due to breeding some native dogs with some other dogs brought by the Spanish explorers. The dog breeds include Mastiff, Greyhounds, Bloodhounds, and Hound dogs.
The resulting mix became the Catahoula dog breed and was later named the official state dog of Louisiana in 1979. The dog then became a working dog and was useful in herding cattle and hunting deer and feral hogs. The first national dog registry to recognize the dog breed was the United Kennel Club in 1995.
However, due to the lack of meeting the American Kennel Club (AKC) requirements, the Catahoula is yet to be recognized by the AKC. So, the dogs cannot perform in any AKC event or shows. However, the dog is listed as a rare breed in the AKC foundation stock service.
Due to their temperament, people with no former knowledge or experience with dogs are not advised to breed Catahoula. Although, with proper training and socialization from puppyhood, you could help them know how to get along with other dogs and people. They always show aggression when around strangers or other dogs, especially the males, so you are often advised to always keep them on a leash when in public.
Catahoula is very intelligent and can learn things quickly, but they require a firm, strong, patient, and consistent owner. The positive training method is very effective for them. Rewarding your dog with some nice treats whenever it behaves well would go a long way. However, whenever your dog misbehaves, ensure you do not scold or act harshly towards it. Doing so could affect the dog’s confidence.
Catahoula are very energetic dogs and would require daily physical and mental stimulation to release built-up energy. They should be engaged in exercises and other fun activities for at least two hours daily. Failure to do so would make them bored, channel the energy into the wrong things, and even become destructive.
Due to their instinct of being quite good at hunting and herding, they make a good guard and protective dogs. These dogs are not meant to be bred in homes without solid fences or very low barriers, as they would not hesitate to engage any stranger or other animals they find around their territory.
A fully grown male Catahoula would have an average height of about 22 to 26 inches with a weight of about 65 to 90 pounds. For females, the average height is about 20 to 24 inches, with a weight of about 50 to 65 pounds. They could live up to about 10 to 14 years when properly cared for.
Catahoula comes in the liver, white, chocolate, red, buff, and blue colors. Sometimes, they could have some of these colors combined or be either spotted or patched. They have a single coat that could be short or medium-length, with a medium shedding rate. They do not require a high grooming need. Brushing their coat once a week is enough to help keep their coat clean and reduce shedding.
Also read: Are Dogs Color Blind? How Do We Know? [ANSWERED]
Cattle Dog Catahoula
The cattle dog Catahoula is also known as the Catahoula leopard dog. A Catahoula, the biggest breed of stock dog, weighs approximately 60 to 90 pounds and is about 20 to 26 inches tall, with floppy ears and webbed paws. Their eyes are usually light in color, though marbling or maybe even two distinct colors are not uncommon.
The short-haired hides are patterned, with hair colors varying from tan to black to red and blue. Some would even appear in patchwork, a combination of colors that form huge, blotchy regions. They often come in white, yellow, and brindle colors, albeit white ones are frequently deaf due to the double merle trait.
The stamina and attitude of cattle, on the other hand, are unique. They have been bred to circle and hold bears, wild boars, and cattle, and they will dive into marshes or thickets to catch their prey. We might not know what Catahoula is comprised of because of their unusual genetic origin.
This breed of dogs is intelligent and bright; they are among the most adaptable working dogs. They are very smart, which allows them to complete their tasks with ease; they can also appraise situations quickly, making them excellent security dogs.
They are said to be forerunners of the war dogs, a combination of Bloodhounds, Mastiffs, and Greyhounds brought to the United States by Spanish explorers in the late 1500s. They have also been linked to Indian dogs in the Carolinas, connected to Jackals, and Dingoes.
According to researchers, Plott hounds, Irish wolfhounds, red wolves, and English shepherds may be involved. Another progenitor is the Beauceron, a leopard-spotted breed introduced from France in the 16th century and found largely in Louisiana, Georgia, and Alabama.
The word “Catahoula” comes from the Choctaw Indians and means “holy lake.” This animal is so revered in the Southern States for its hunting abilities that Louisiana has made it their state’s official dog. The Catahoula is a truly unusual animal due to the range of color that emerges from several crosses and the innate tendency to form a “canine fence” around cattle.
Catahoula Cow Dog
Catahoula are superb hunters; they have an active instinct and a distinctive appearance. Catahoula has several desirable characteristics that are typical in hunting dogs. They require much exercise to maintain their body shape and hunting instincts; they are, nonetheless, quite affectionate towards people.
Catahoula are cow dogs; cow dogs are excellent at cattle herding or keeping an eye on the cows. Catahoula can guard or keep an eye on something; strangers and odd things are well-known. Catahoula are also adept at herding cattle; they notify their owners whenever they notice anything unusual about their cows.
The Catahoula is an excellent herder because of this trait; furthermore, Catahoula strives to impress and be devoted to their masters. As a result, they make every effort to satisfy the owners and complete their allotted tasks. Catahoula have a natural inclination to herd; as a result, they are adept at herding and are known as Catahoula cow dogs.
They prefer to follow a herding territory in their herding procedure. For instance, when you give the Catahoula a circular space to herd in, he will do so within that circle. You do not have to watch your cattle most times because of the Catahoula’s distinctive and superb herding.
Final Thoughts
A Catahoula heeler dog is a unique dog breed; however, there are some procedures that you have to follow when taking care of these dogs. You have to ensure you groom them properly and make sure the dogs take their baths more often. Catahoula heeler dogs are not the best watch dogs as they tend to be unfriendly towards strangers.
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Shawn Manaher is a serial entrepreneur but when he isn’t working, he loves dogs. He’s owned different pets over the years, and always gives a part of his heart to each pet.
