Catahoula Leopard Dog
An education resource for the breed standard.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
A dog of medium to medium-large size with a short coat, wide head, small-to-medium droopy ears, and a natural undocked tail that aligns with its back.
CHARACTERISTICS
The temperament of these dogs varies from focused and professional during work to playful and lively at home, with energy levels that differ among individuals.
HEAD & NECK
The head of the dog is well-developed and robust without appearing excessively large. The neck is muscular and proportionate in length, without any excessive exaggeration.
BODY & QUARTERS
A correctly proportioned Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog is slightly longer than its height. The shoulders are muscular and well-defined, while the hindquarters are also muscular and smooth in appearance.
GAIT, HEIGHT & WEIGHT
Catahoulas showcase an extensive range of coat colors and patterns. Their trotting gait is characterized by its smoothness, fluidity, and ease, displaying a commendable reach in the front and strong drive in the rear. The preferred height for adult males is around 24 inches, while for females, it is about 22 inches, with a permissible two-inch variation in either direction.
FEET, TAIL, AND COAT
A working dog requires well-formed feet. The tail seamlessly extends from the back. Natural bobtails are allowed. The Catahoula possesses a single coat that is short to medium in length, lying smoothly and tightly against the body.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Disqualifications include conditions like one or both undescended testicles, extreme aggression or shyness, one or both deaf ears, cropped ears, a long or fuzzy coat that hides the dog’s outline, coat color that is 90% or more white, solid white head, albinism, and complete absence of a tail (without external coccygeal vertebrae visible). Catahoula Leopard Dogs with disqualifications shall not be evaluated for conformation events and must be reported to the event’s governing body.