The Catahoula Cur or more often referred to as the Catahoula Leopard Dog or more appropriately called the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog, is the oldest known breed in America. Located primarily in the deep south in Louisiana, this dog breed was actually given the title as the official state dog in 1979 by then-Governor Edwin Edwards.
While the exact history of the breed's development is unclear, as is the case with many breeds, it is theorized that the breed was developed when native Americans bred their own dogs with various Molosser breeds brought over in the 16th century by Spanish explorer and conquistador Hernando de Soto.
Another theory holds that the breed was more formally developed three centuries later when French explorers bred their dogs with local canid. During this period, the French documented strange-looking dogs with glass eyes used by the Indians to hunt in the swamp. Given the timeline, it is even possible if both theories hold some weight.
It is believed that the name may have come from the Choctaw Indians.
This breed has been primarily bred for its work and not for appearance, so uniformity varies throughout the breed. One primary characteristic that helps make this breed unique is webbing located between its toes. While the dog is known for hunting, it rarely catches and holds its prey. Because of the nature and size of the breed, more often, it will trap its prey and hold them in place without touching them by using direct eye contact, lateral shifting, and its unique bark, much in the way herding breeds control their flock.
At one time, the breed was exported to Australia and New Zealand to help with control of the local wild pig population.
Another unique trait of the breed is they often maintain the Merle genetic trait. This same trait was historically expressed in the American Pit Bull Terrier, and as such, coupled with both breeds hunting nature, many thought it would be good to breed the two breeds together. This breeding later resulted in what is now known as the Catahoula Bulldog and is the subject of much confusion about the purity of Merle Pit Bulls by those ignorant of Merle's historical nature in the history of the Pit Bull breed. Many biased individuals have perpetuated this myth of impurity. Due to inside politics in 2005, the UKC and ADBA changed their standards for the Pit Bull breed. The attempted whitewash of history has hurt the Merle Pit Bull and has sought to rob the breed of an essential part of its history.
Deafness has been reported in the Catahoula as well as other breeds that contain the Merle gene. In most cases, this can be attributed to specimens that are primarily white, as this is an indication of a lack of melanin that also contributes to the auditory development of a dog. Another significant factor that leads to deafness is the lack of genetic diversity perpetuated by irresponsible inbreeding. It is important to understand the effects genetics have when breeding, especially when it comes to Merle genetics.
While the genetic trait has been reported to have been found, this has later proven to be false, and as of yet, there still remains no test that can accurately identify it. Because of the known links to deafness that high levels of white and inbreeding have, however, those who do choose to breed Merle should take precautions and breed in such a way the limits inbreeding effect and breed darker specimens helping to ensure higher levels of melanin. When properly bred, this and other breeds affected by Merle genetics have not proven to have any higher risk of deafness or negative health impacts than any other breed.
It is also often suggested that crossing merle with merle may cause an increased risk of adverse health effects. This theory has never honestly been explored where samples with high levels of white or inbreeding, which have a proven association with negative health outcomes, were removed from the test samples. Only by removing known health problems can an honest conclusion be made when examining simply suspicious ones.
In our own studies, when inbreeding was restricted and primary whites excluded from breeding programs, there was no increase in deafness or other negative health effects often suggested in merle breeding.
Some feel that such breeding is unethical, but others argue that they have made great strides in such breeding when they have controlled other factors such as ensuring proper genetic diversity and breeding only with darker colors.
While there has not been strong, well-researched evidence against merle-to-merle breeding, anyone considering it should exercise great caution and take their time at first to understand the merle trait in more detail. If one chooses to continue such breeding, one should strive to eliminate or reduce other risk factors as much as possible. In the end, this is a scenario that a breeder should look out for, as bad litters can lead to puppies needing to be culled, so they don't add to an unwanted pet population.
Height:
20-26 inches (50.8 – 66 cm)
Weight:
39-90lbs (18.1 – 40.8 kg)
Eyes:
ALL colors acceptable and may show the glass eye or cracked marble eye also related to Merle
Tail:
When full will often exhibit the appearance of a question mark. Bobtail is also natural to some in the breed and may vary from just missing one vertebrae all the way to everything beyond the first vertebrae missing.
Coat:
Short
Color:
ALL colors acceptable and often influenced by Merle genetics.
Feet:
The Catahoula is known for its webbed feet helping in its hunting tasks in the swamp and marshlands as well as adding to its swimming ability.
Yes, as long as your dog meets one of our accepted breed standards we can register it through the American Bully Association ( ABA ).
No, providing genealogy / pedigree information (such as your dog’s parents) is not required. However, if such genealogy / pedigree information is known it should be submitted for inclusion and research. The level of pedigree that you receive with registration is based on a combination of what you submit and what our research reveals based on your initial input.
The single dog registration fess is $37.
The following discounts are available when registration of more than one dog is needed.
* 2 Dogs’ Registration = $67
* 3 Dogs’ registration = $87
* 4 = $97
* 5+ = $105
+ Litter registration is based on litter size.
+ Each individual pup for the first 10 pups = $10 per pup.
+ For litters larger than 10 pups each pup after the 10th is free.
+ No. In order to register a litter both parents must however meet one of our accepted breed class standards.
+ While it is not required both parents be ABA registered during litter registration it is highly encouraged.
+ Only having one parent registered can significantly impact how well the dog Family is tracked over time.
+ This link will take you to the single dog registration options.
Single Registration
+ On the provided link you will have the option to submit from 1-5 single dog registrations at a time.
+ All forms have the option of convenient online submission or if preferred print and mailable forms.
+ All forms come with complete, easy to follow instructions.
+ This link will take you to the litter registration options.
Litter Registration
+ All forms have the option of convenient online submission or if preferred print and mailable forms.
+ All forms come with complete, easy to follow instructions.
+ This link will take you to the family registration options.
Family Registration
+ All forms have the option of convenient online submission or if preferred print and mailable forms.
+ All forms come with complete, easy to follow instructions.
+ This link will take you to the parent plus litter plus 1 parent registration options. Litter Plus 1 Parent
+ All forms have the option of convenient online submission or if preferred print and mailable forms.
+ All forms come with complete, easy to follow instructions.
+ If a pup is pre-registered by your breeder through litter registration that breeder will receive an individual certificate per pup.
+ Each pre-registered litter pup certificate comes with the proper transfer completion form listed on the back of the certificate.
+The transfer certificate can only be found on the back of a pre-registered litter pup’s certificate and I NOT available directly to the public via the website.
+ The transfer form instructions reveal how you can properly finalize your pup’s registration to include ownership information, any desired name change, listing and access to your dogs’ LIVE Family tracking profile, upgraded access to member benefits and creation of an enhanced dedicated account through our social network ImSocialBull.com.
+The transfer process including postage is FREE for all ABA transfers.
+ Litter related registrations receive the highest priority and are typically processed in 2-4 weeks.
+ The standard registration process including transfers for an individual dog registration is typically 6-8 weeks.
+ At the ABA we provide FREE print quality pedigrees up to 7 generations.
+ If qualified Platinum Pedigrees are available of 8-11 Generations.
+ If a dog qualifies for Platinum Pedigree status the owner will be notified and provided upgrade options.
+ The Platinum Pedigree is the world’s largest print quality pedigree with up to 2,054 relationships.
+ The Platinum Pedigree is based on proprietary technology and exclusive to the American Bully Association
+ Comparisons are:
* ADBA 7 generation showing a maximum of 255 relationships
* UKC 6 generation showing a maximum of 127 relationships
* AKC and ABKC’s 5 generation pedigrees showing a maximum of 31 relationships.
+ When submitting a pedigree or genealogy for inclusion and research the following are the best options:
* When an official pedigree from another registry is available it should be submitted either by taking and providing high quality digital pictures or if mailing by photocopy. The largest ones available should be submitted as the more you provide the more we can research on your behalf.
* When official pedigrees are not available but genealogy is known it can be provided to us in the form of a link to your online resource if available or by printing and completing our free available template located here: MS Word Print And Editable Template or PDF Print Template
+ Yes, as a registered member you are encouraged to provide additional information as learned and available.
+ All added information will be made available both online in your dogs Family tracking profile as well as print quality options available.
+ All information will be researched for additional relationships used to further enhance your dogs’ Family knowledge absolutely FREE.
+ Nothing, anytime reasonable replacements of material is needed this is provided as a FREE member benefit.
+ All we need is you to request which specific material needs to be replaced and to verify you current mailing and email addresses to ensure proper receipt.
+ Pride of registration
+ Access to unprecedented genealogy and Family tracking
+ Added and Improved value in breed stock
+ Greater profits in breeding arrangements
+ FREE Kennel Certification for breeders
+ Exclusive access to unique promotional opportunities
+ Access to thousands of members world wide
+ Social media account with free enhancements
+ Access to place unlimited FREE marketing/classified adds including with pictures
+ Extended benefits only available through the American Bully Association
+ MUCH, MUCH, more...
Members can login to their account through our social network HERE.
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