A Beginner's Guide To The Catahoula Leopard
by Linda McKay

Forward

• This book was written to help answer the multitude of questions people seem to
  have concerning the CATAHOULA LEOPARD dog.

  It is not meant to present the author as an expert on this breed, as there is so little
  documented information available on these unique dogs it would be difficult for any
  of us to validate such an attitude.

  My intention is simply to chronicle my own experiences with the CATAHOULA
  and to share the things these dogs have taught me about training and handling them
  since they entered my life in 1971, and to list the associations which register the
  CATAHOULA LEOPARD.

  While attending CATAHOULA field trials and gatherings in the Southwest, I have
  met many fine folks that I'm proud to call friends. Some of them have had
  CATAHOULA LEOPARD dogs in their families for several decades, in many
  cases more than a hundred years, and the consensus of opinion matches my
  experience with these grand dogs. Control them... but allow the dogs to decide
  how to work on their own.

  For those interested in organized competitions, the NALC sponsors a well run slate
  of field trials with points and championships awarded. The WCA is a relatively new
  group organized to sponsor cattle trials for working cowdogs and curs.

  Future plans include a CATAHOULA CALENDAR, a video which will showcase
  the working abilities of the CATAHOULA LEOPARD, and another book to record
  the stories and experiences of CATAHOULA breeders from all parts of the nation.

Introduction

• The CATAHOULA LEOPARD has been my constant companion since 1971.
  My husband was a professional calf roper when we married in 1969, and I was
  showing pleasure and halter horses and raising and showing Dalmatian dogs,
  including CH. Crown Jewel's Diamond Cameo. Our activities expanded into
  a stud farm, and we stood stallions to the public for many years. Heeding a change
  in public interest, in 1980 we switched our emphasis of operations to a public race
  training stable, and achieved success in breeding and training a number of stakes
  winners and track record-setters in three different breeds; running Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds, and Appaloosas.

  Through good times and bad, the changes in emphasis and livestock,
  CATAHOULA LEOPARD dogs have continually proven their worth and made
  themselves indispensable.

  The only information available on this breed comes from the people who raise
  and use them, those of us who have been educated and helped by these wonderful
  dogs. I am proud to pass along what I have learned in my association with this
  unique breed in hopes it will help others to assess whether they have a need for the
  CATAHOULA LEOPARD in their lives.

  Not everyone needs them...
  not everyone can handle them...
  and not everyone should have them.

  In the early years I came home from work, loaded sour practice calves in the
  chute and tried to haze them as they came out, so they would run straight... giving
  my roper husband a chance to polish his loop-throwing style. Without much luck.
  More than once my 115 lb. frame was flattened by a calf which viewed me as much
  less threatening than a swinging rope.

  Ropers must practice roping and tying down on at least 15 or 20 head every night
  they are not entered in a rodeo. (Usually many more than that.) Once a set of calves
  has been roped several times, they get bad about ducking back to the left into the
  corner of the arena, away from the rope that snatches them head over heels and
  slams them to the dirt. Part of my job was to stand left of the chute and try to keep
  the calf out of that corner and spook him straight down the arena. Believe me, I got
  really tired of being run over by rope-soured calves.

  The summer of 1971 saw several burglaries in our rural area, and we decided we
  needed a watch dog. Thinking that one of the stock dog breeds could also help with
  the calves and horses, we tried a Border Collie, a Blue Heeler, and an Australian
  Shepherd. The collie slashed the nosy yearlings' nostrils, the shepherd ran and hid
  every time I corrected him, and the heeler was totally uncontrollable. None showed
  any protective instincts.

  While visiting a rancher friend, one of several awkward looking half-grown pups
  attached itself to me, yellow eyes fixed and unwavering. Our friend said it was a CATAHOULA, and insisted it would be the answer to our needs. He also said it
  was very unusual for this breed to take up with a stranger, so obviously that dog
  was meant to belong to me. Quite a sales pitch, except that the pup was a gift! So
  into the pickup he came, and upon the seat he decided to ride. "Spud" leaned a full
  80 lbs. into his decision, and I conceded the shoving contest.

  This ten month old pup had never worn a collar, and taught me right away that any CATAHOULA more than a few months old must be broken to tie and lead just
  like a horse, with respect. These dogs fight restraint, and will hang themselves or
  bite their handler if not leashbroken very carefully.

  For three days I took Spud to the arena and tied him near the calf chute where he
  could observe the action. The fourth day I forgot to tie him. We started the calves
  up the lane toward the chute, and Spud loaded them. We let the first calf out, and
  Spud broke with the calf and hazed it down the arena until it was roped, running
  alongside the calf's left shoulder. The same with the second, the third, and all the
  rest. Finally, we had a stock dog with a brain!

  As a watch dog, Spud understood after one introduction the neighbors were good
  guys, but no stranger was allowed to leave a vehicle unless we gave the word. His
  deep baying bark and heavy rumbling growl, reinforced by unblinking yellow eyes,
  were seldom challenged.

  So began my fascination with the CATAHOULA, and these dogs have been one
  of the passions of my life ever since.

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