Der Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog ist eine in Europa eher seltene
Hunderasse. Er wird in seinem Ursprungsland, den USA, als Hüte- und
Rindertreibhund aber auch als Jagd- und Wachhund für die Farmen gehalten.
Der Catahoula wurde in den USA um das Jahr 1950 herum
erstmals offiziell als Rasse registriert.
Seit 1979 ist er „Staatshund“ des Bundesstaates Louisiana.
Er wird zur Drückjagd eingesetzt oder er stellt das Wild und verbellt dieses, bis der Jäger da ist. Er wird häufig für die Jagd auf Wildschweine eingesetzt. Der Catahoula besitzt die hierfür notwendige physische und mentale Härte. Er apportiert nicht!
Aufgrund seiner hervorragenden Nase wird er auch als Rettungshund (Hochwindsucher oder Mantrailer) oder Leichenspürhund ausgebildet.
Er ist ein sehr vielseitiger und robuster Gebrauchshund. Hervorragende Arbeitseigenschaften, sehr hohe Intelligenz, große Selbstsicherheit und ausgeprägte Willensstärke machen das Wesen des Catahoulas ebenso aus, wie Loyalität den „Seinen“ gegenüber und Zurückhaltung gegenüber Fremden. Der Catahoula legt in der Regel ein ausgeprägtes Territorialverhalten an den Tag und ist sehr wachsam.
Der Catahoula-Rüde verlangt Respekt von anderen Rüden!
Alle diese Eigenschaften sind natürlich bei jedem Hund unterschiedlich stark ausgeprägt und hängen von der Qualität der Prägung und Sozialisierung, von der Erziehung und den gemachten Erfahrungen des Hundes ab.
Der Catahoula Leopard Dog ist eine Kreuzung aus Hunden der native
americans, Hunden Europäischer Einwanderer und dem red wolf.
Genauer gesagt ist diese Rasse entstanden aus Indianerhunden,
Beauceron, Mastiff und Greyhound. Es wird davon ausgegangen, dass sich auch der
red wolf eingekreuzt hat.
(Übersetzung ins Deutsche folgt)
HISTORY
The origins of the
Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog are unknown but it is believed to be descended
from crosses between Native American dogs, Red Wolves (some of whom lived as
pariahs on the outskirts of Indian villages), and the dogs brought to the New
World by Spanish conquistadors, probably mastiff-types and sighthounds. Some
experts believe Beaucerons were added to the mix when the area was settled by
the French. White settlers in Louisiana found the Native Americans using these
unusual-looking dogs to hunt a variety of wild game, including deer, bobcat,
wild hog, and bear. The new arrivals soon came to appreciate this versatile
breed that was equally capable of scenting, trailing and treeing game, or
baying and herding feral hogs and cattle.
There are many stories regarding the origin of the breed’s exotic
name: Catahoula. The most likely is that it is a corruption of the Indian word
that meant “Choctaw,” the name of a local tribe.
The only thing certain is that the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog
is an all-American, multi-purpose working dog. On July 9, 1979, the governor of
Louisiana signed a bill making this breed the official State Dog of Louisiana.
The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog was recognized by the United
Kennel Club on January 1, 1995.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Louisiana Catahoula
Leopard Dog is a medium to medium-large, short-coated dog, with a broad head,
small-to-medium drop ears, and an undocked tail set on as a natural extension
of the topline. The Catahoula is well muscled and powerful, but not bulky,
giving the impression of agility and endurance. The Catahoula is a moderate
breed and should not resemble either a sighthound or a bulldog in appearance.
The body is just slightly longer than tall and the distance from the elbow to
the ground should equal 50-60 percent of the dog’s height from the withers to
the ground. Because of the breed’s name, many people assume that all Catahoulas
have the so-called “leopard” markings and blue eyes. In fact, the breed is
noted for its many and unusual coat colors and patterns, as well as varied eye
color. The Catahoula should be evaluated as a multi-purpose working dog, and
exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they
interfere with the dog’s ability to work.
CHARACTERISTICS
Catahoula temperament
ranges from serious and business-like when working to clownish at home, with
varying levels of energy. It is not uncommon for Catahoulas to be aloof with
strangers, which often results in a lack of animation when showing and may
cause some to draw away from judges when being examined. Catahoulas should
never be excessively aggressive or shy. They can be independent, protective and
territorial so they require firm guidance and a clear understanding of their
place in the family unit. Catahoulas are affectionate, gentle and loyal family
companions.
HEAD
The head is powerfully
built without appearing exaggerated. Viewed from the side, the length of skull
and muzzle are approximately equal in length, and joined by a well-defined stop
of moderate length. The planes of the topskull and the bridge of the muzzle are
roughly parallel to one another. There may be a slight median furrow between
the eyes and running back to the occipital bone. Gender differences should be
apparent in the characteristics of the head.
SKULL - The skull is broad and flat. The cheeks are well
developed.
Fault: Excessively broad skull; narrow
skull.
MUZZLE - The muzzle is strong and deep. Viewed from above, the
muzzle is moderately wide and tapering toward the nose. Lips may be tight or
slightly pendulous with pigment of any color or combination of colors.
Faults: Snipey muzzle.
TEETH - The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog has a complete set of
evenly spaced, white teeth. A scissors bite is preferred, but a level bite is
acceptable. Full dentition is greatly desired, but dogs are not to be penalized
for worn or broken teeth.
Serious Faults: Overshot or undershot bite.
NOSE - Nose pigment may be any color or combination of colors.
EYES - Eyes are set moderately well apart, medium in size, somewhat
rounded in appearance, and are set well into the skull. Eyes may be any color
or combination of colors without preference. Eye rims are tight and may be any
color or combination of colors.
Serious Faults: Malformed pupils; pupils not
centered; sagging eyelids making haw visible; functional abnormality of eyelids
or eyelashes.
EARS - Ears are drop, short to medium in length, moderate in size,
and proportionally wide at the base, gradually tapering to the slightly rounded
tip. They should fold over and be generally triangular in shape. The top of the
ear fold is level or just slightly below the top line of the skull. When the
dog is at attention, the inner edge of the ear lies close to the cheek.
Laid-back ears are acceptable but not preferred.
Faults: Any ear type other than described
above.
Disqualification: Cropped ears.
NECK
The neck is muscular and
of good length, without being overdone. The circumference of the neck widens
from the nape to where the neck blends smoothly into the shoulders.
Faults: Neck too short and thick or too
thin and weak; excess skin forming dewlap.
FOREQUARTERS
The shoulders are strong
and smoothly muscled. The shoulder blades are long, wide, flat and well laid
back. The upper arm is roughly equal in length to the shoulder blade and joins
it at an angle sufficient to ensure that the foot falls under the withers. The
elbows are close to the body and do not turn out.
FORELEGS - The forelegs are straight, and of medium bone,
indicating strength without excessive thickness. Pasterns are strong, short,
and slightly sloping. The length of the forelegs should roughly equal 50-60% of
the dog’s height at the withers. A dog with legs shorter than the ideal is to
be more heavily penalized than a dog with longer legs.
Faults: Forequarters significantly
heavier than hindquarters; bone too heavy or too fine; straight shoulders; out
at elbows; weak pasterns.
BODY
A properly proportioned
Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog is slightly longer than tall. The topline
inclines very slightly downward from well-developed withers to a level back.
The back is broad and well muscled with a short, strong, slightly arched loin.
A slightly longer loin is acceptable in females. The ribs extend well back and
are well sprung out from the spine. The chest is deep, reaching at least to the
elbows, and moderately broad. When viewed from the side, the forechest extends
in a shallow oval shape in front of the forelegs. Tuck-up is apparent, but not
exaggerated. Croup is medium to long and slightly sloping. A slightly elevated
rear resulting from slightly straighter rear angulation should not be penalized
too severely.
Faults: Chest too broad, too narrow or
too shallow; soft topline; exaggerated or absent tuck-up; loin too long.
HINDQUARTERS
Hindquarters are strong
and smoothly muscled. Width and angulation of hindquarters are in balance with
the forequarters. HIND LEGS - The stifles are well bent, and the hocks are well
let down. When the dog is standing, the short, strong rear pasterns are
perpendicular to the ground and, viewed from the rear, parallel to one another.
Faults: Thin, weak hindquarters;
cow-hocked; open-hocked.
FEET
Good feet are essential
for a working dog. Feet are well knit and oval in shape. Toes are long, webbed
and well arched. Pads are thick and hard. Nails are strong. Dewclaws may be
removed.
Fault: Cat foot.
TAIL
The tail is a natural
extension of the topline. It is thicker at the base, and tapers to the tip.
Natural bob tails are permitted, but not preferred. The natural bob tail,
regardless of length, will taper in width from base to tip. A full length tail
may be carried upright with the tip curving forward when the dog is moving or
alert. When the dog is relaxed, the tail hangs naturally, reaching to the hock
joint. Catahoulas should be allowed to carry their tails naturally when being
shown. Exhibitors should not hold tails upright.
Faults: Ring tail; docked tail.
Disqualification: Complete absence of a tail (no
external coccygeal vertebrae evident.)
COAT
The Catahoula has a single
coat, short to medium in length that lies flat and close to the body. Texture
ranges from smooth to coarse, without preference.
Disqualifications: Long coat; fuzzy coat that
obscures the outline of the dog.
COLOR
Catahoulas come in an
endless variety of coat colors and patterns. All color combinations and
patterns can have color points or trim, which may be located on the chest,
cheeks, above the eyes, on the legs, underbody or under the tail. The Leopard
pattern has a base color, with contrasting spots of one or more other colors.
Solids have a single coat color. Brindles may have a light or dark base coat
color with contrasting stripes. The Patchwork pattern may or may not have one
predominant solid color with one or more different size patches of different
colors and shades placed randomly on the body. In dogs of equal quality, rich,
deep colors are preferable to the lighter colors. However, in evaluating the
Catahoula as a true, multi-purpose working dog, coat color is not a primary
consideration. No coat color or pattern is preferred.
Serious Fault: 70 percent or more white.
Disqualifications: 90 percent or more white coat
color; solid white head; albinism.
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT
Ideal height at maturity
for males is 24 inches, and for females, 22 inches, with a variation of two
inches either way acceptable. Weight may range from 50 to 95 pounds, in
proportion to the dog’s height. The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog must be
both powerful and agile so actual weight and height are less important than the
correct proportion of weight to height. Catahoulas should always be presented
in hard, working condition. Any deviation from the ideal must be judged by the
extent of the deviation, and the effect it has on the dog’s ability to work.
GAIT
When trotting, the gait is
smooth, fluid and effortless, showing good but not exaggerated reach in front
and powerful drive behind. The topline remains level with only a slight flexing
to indicate suppleness. Viewed from any position, legs turn neither in nor out,
nor do feet cross or interfere with each other. As speed increases, feet tend
to converge toward center line of balance. Poor movement should be penalized to
the degree to which it reduces the Catahoula’s ability to perform the tasks it
was bred to do.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Unilateral or bilateral deafness. Cropped ears. Long coat. Fuzzy coat that obscures the outline of the dog. 90 percent or more white coat color. Solid white head. Albinism. Complete absence of a tail (no external coccygeal vertebrae evident.)