The Catahoula bulldog is a crossbred (not a purebred

Purebred

Purebreds, also called purebreeds, are cultivated varieties or cultivars of an animal species, achieved through the process of selective breeding...

 dog); it is a cross between the Catahoula leopard dog

Catahoula Leopard Dog

The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog or Catahoula cur is an American dog breed. It is named after Catahoula Parish in the state of Louisiana in the United States. The Catahoula is believed to have occupied North America the next longest after the dogs descended from Native American-created breeds...

 and the American bulldog

American Bulldog

The American Bulldog is a breed of working dog that was developed in the United States. There are generally considered to be three types of American bulldog: the Bully or Classic type , the Standard or Performance type , and the Hybrid type...

 for a specific purpose.
(Al Walker of Animal Research Foundation states: The Catahoula bulldog is recognized as 50% Catahoula leopard and 50% American bulldog in the first generation cross. In succeeding generations it may be 75%-25% mix in either direction. The 75%-25% cross should not be exceeded to maintain the desirable characteristics of each breed.

Appearance

The Catahoula bulldog is a medium to large size dog weighing in at 34-45.3 Kg (75-100 lbs). The height is 55-66 cm (24-26 inches) at the shoulder

Shoulder

The human shoulder is made up of three bones: the clavicle , the scapula , and the humerus as well as associated muscles, ligaments and tendons. The articulations between the bones of the shoulder make up the shoulder joints. The major joint of the shoulder is the glenohumeral joint, which...

s.

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 usually develops one when living in seasonal or colder climate. Catahoula bulldogs come in a wide variety of colors due to the Catahoula leopard genes. Both pure white and merle

Merle

Merle may refer to:*A name for the Common Blackbird, or any of the varieties of Icterids of which the male is predominantly black*Merle , a pattern in dogs’ coats*MS Merle, a ferry formerly operated by Belfast Freight Ferries...

d coats

Fur

Fur is a synonym for hair, used more in reference to non-human animals, usually mammals; particularly those with extensives body hair coverage. The term is sometimes used to refer to the body hair of an animal as a complete coat, also known as the "pelage". Fur is also used to refer to animal...

 white with grey, black and tan patches and blotches; some have very large areas of color and smaller patches and spots are common.

The eyes can be a soft to dark brown, amber, ice blue, emerald green, gold or any combination of all of these including heterochromia

Heterochromia

In anatomy, heterochromia refers to a difference in coloration, usually of the iris but also of hair or skin. Heterochromia is a result of the relative excess or lack of melanin...

. Ears can be a rose type to button over and are sometimes cropped

Docking (animal)

Docking is a term for the intentional removal of part of an animal's tail or ears. The term cropping is also used, though more commonly in reference to the cropping of ears, while docking more commonly—but not exclusively—refers to the tail. The term tailing is also commonly used...

. The Catahoula bulldog tends to use the ears in a very expressive manner.

They can be white, black and white, black, brown, brown and white and sometimes even black and brown.

The tail can be long or a natural bobtail.

Temperament

Though utilized as a hunting, working, and guard dog

Guard dog

A guard dog, an attack dog or watch dog is a dog used to guard against, and watch for, unwanted or unexpected people or animals. The dog is discriminating so that it does not annoy or attack familiar people.-Barking:...

, the Catahoula bulldog makes an excellent companion. They are loyal and devoted to their people and have strong protective instincts; they are generally calm though also alert to its surroundings.

Herding and hunting

In herding the Catahoula bulldog has the natural abilities of the Catahoula leopard using intimidation to herd on ranch

Ranch

A ranch is an area of landscape, including various structures, given primarily to the practice of ranching, the practice of raising grazing livestock such as cattle or sheep for meat or wool. The word most often applies to livestock-raising operations in the western United States and Canada, though...

es and farm

Farm

A farm is an area of land, or, for aquaculture, lake, river or sea, including various structures, devoted primarily to the practice of producing and managing food , fibres and, increasingly, fuel. It is the basic production facility in food production. Farms may be owned and operated by a single...

s. In hog hunting, this hybrid is strong and intelligent for actual catching of hogs. As a bear dog, the Catahoula bulldog excels as it has the size and aggressiveness of the American bulldog as well as the aggressiveness, intelligence and hunting ability of the Catahoula leopard. From the American bulldog it acquired the great jaw strength, heavier torso

Torso

Trunk or torso is an anatomical term for the central part of the many animal bodies from which extend the neck and limbs. The trunk includes the thorax and abdomen.-Major organs:...

, and more robust leg

Leg

Łęg may refer to the following places in Poland:*A former name for the town of Ełk *Part of the Czyżyny district of Kraków*Łęg, Pleszew County in Greater Poland Voivodeship...

s.

History

The Catahoula bulldog has been around for over 100 years, for the most part in the southern United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. It is reported that ranchers wanted a dual purpose dog for herding

Herding

Herding is the act of bringing individual animals together into a group , maintaining the group and moving the group from place to place—or any combination of those. While the layperson uses the term "herding", most individuals involved in the process term it mustering, "working stock" or...

 and catching hog

Domestic pig

The domestic pig is a domesticated animal that traces its ancestry to the wild boar, and is considered a subspecies of the wild boar or a distinct species in its own right. It is likely the wild boar was domesticated as early as 13,000 BC in the Tigris River basin...

s as well as hunting Black bear

American black bear

The American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...

. While the Catahoula leopard was very skilled at luring a hog to a pen then escaping over the back of the pen, it was not large or rugged enough by itself to catch a hog. The American bulldog had the extra size, weight, and strong jaw as well as being an excellent catch dog while the Catahoula leopard had the intelligence, speed, endurance and the instincts of hunting

Hunting

Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...

 and herding.

The result in combining the two breeds was a large, more rugged, and more intelligent dog with increased skills in hunting and herding.

In 1951, Mr. Stodghill of the Animal Research Foundation began registration of Catahoula bulldogs. In 1960, Howard Carnathan contacted Mr. Stodghill writing, "I needed a dog that would be a companion and protector to my children and home
yet also was in need of a dog that would help with the farming duties. The mixture of the Catahoula bulldog fit my purpose exactly." In 1962 Bart Perry of Midlothian, Texas

Midlothian, Texas

Midlothian is a city in northwest Ellis County, Texas, United States. It is the hub for the cement industry in North Texas as it is the home to three separate cement production facilities, as well as a steel mill. Midlothian is also a fast growing community with a growth rate of 142% since 2000...

had been active in raising the American bulldog. In 1968 he became the first ARF Certified Breeder of Catahoula bulldogs.