Catahoula Bulldog, also known as American Mastahoula, is a cross between the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog and the American Bulldog that originated approximately some 100 years ago in the Southern States of the U.S.A. The ranchers wanted a canine with the size and power of an American Bulldog combined with the agility and endurance of a Catahoula Leopard Dog, thus making it the best of the intentional crossing. Although the Catahoula Bulldogs were used for catching bears traditionally, they are popular even today for their exemplary skills at herding and hunting. They have also scored high in health with excellence in training needs, temperament, and physical strength. That said, they are cherished for their longevity.
Breed recognition: ACA – American Canine Association Inc., DRA – Dog Registry of America, Inc., IDCR – International Designer Canine Registry®
Catahoula Vs. American Bulldog – A Comparison
Features
Catahoula Leopard
American Bulldog
Image
Origin
North Central Louisiana
The United States
Height
20-26 inches
20-28 inches
Weight
55 – 80 pounds
60-120 pounds
Size
Large and medium
Large
Group
Working Dogs
Working dogs
Children Compatibility
Medium
High
Family Compatibility
High
High
Pets Compatibility
Low
Low
Barking Level
Medium
Low
Shedding Level
Medium
Low
Hypoallergenic
No
No
Grooming Needs
Low
High
Overall Health
Medium
Medium
Complication in Breeding
No
High
Energy
High
High
Exercise Needs
High
Easy
Trainability
Low
Low
Activities
Agility Training and Obedience Training
Watchdogs, agility
Litter Size
8-12 puppies
3-4 puppies
Life Span
10-14 years
10-16 years
Other Names
Louisiana Catahoula, Leopard Dog, Catahoula Cur, and Catahoula hog dog
Southern WhiteWhite EnglishOld Southern White BulldogHill BulldogCountry BulldogEnglish White Bulldog
Catahoula Bulldog Personality
A cross of the Catahoula Dog and the American Bulldog will give the puppy a broad skull, stocky, muscular body measuring 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulders and weighing 75 to 100 pounds, and a naturally long or bobtail. These canines are known for the notable feature – a tightly knit skin enclosed by a single, short, glossy coat in myriad colors. The appearance of the coat is enhanced by some small and large blotches or patches of black, gray, and tan.
The Catahoula Bulldog’s look gives a deep impression in your mind with his marbled eyes, a trademark of this breed. Their eyes come in brown, gold, bright green, and clear blue or can be heterochromia. Their nose is black, brown, pink, or a combination of pink and black with strong jaws. Their ears are rosy, buttoned, or cropped to give the breed a regal appearance. Finally, a remarkable trait of this breed – it develops an undercoat only while living in a cold climate.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
Medium
Family-friendly
Medium to high
Kid-friendly
Medium
Pet-friendly
Low to medium
Stranger -friendly
Low
Adaptability Overview
Good for apartment living
Low
Good to new owners
Low
Sensitivity level
Low to medium
Tolerates being alone
Medium
Cold-tolerance
Low
Heat-tolerance
High
Catahoula Bulldog Temperament
Generally, it is difficult to reckon a mixed breed’s temperament, so one must consider all the parent breeds’ features. While defining Catahoula Bulldog’s temperament, one is sure to get a dog that has the following qualities:
Loyal
Calm
Protective
Fiercely strong
Intelligent
Sweet
Attentive
Energetic
Chill Demeanor
Apart from this, they have an unsurpassed ability to herd and hunt. They are passionate about work and get along with kids and other pets in the house. They are people pleasers and love their families. They use their ears to express back to you. In addition, Catahoula Bulldogs make excellent guard dogs and watch dogs owing to their loyal and protective nature.
Catahoula BulldogTraining
Catahoula Bulldogs are highly trainable dogs owing to their incredible intelligence. They respond well to training since they are brilliant and devoted to their owners. Training them on a leash is vital to keep their hunting instincts in check. Early socialization and training are essential for these dogs if the puppy shows the American Bulldog’s stubbornness. Without proper training, expect this breed to be challenging. Thus, formal training is very vital, and their training should include the following:
Catahoula Bulldog’s inherent energy and strength will make him the happiest dog to do any job. However, he would require a minimum of forty to sixty minutes of daily exercise. Catahoula Bulldogs were bred for hunting and working outdoors; hence they can endure long walks, running miles, fun play, and sports like catching the ball, fetching frisbee, and agility. Remember, this adorable puppy would need a house with a large area or a strongly fenced backyard to play. If you live in an apartment, ensure that you take them outdoors to exert their energy.
Exercising Catahoula Bulldog is essential mainly for three reasons:
To express their pent-up energy physically.
Avoid boredom, restlessness, and unwanted behavior like nipping the furniture or any other destructive behavior.
To keep them away from obesity.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy level
High
Exercise needs
High
Intensity
High
Playfulness
Medium to high
Catahoula Bulldog Grooming
The Catahoula Bulldog will need minimum grooming requirements owing to their thick, short, and straight coats that shed less. Your Catahoula Bulldogs extensively shed if they are excited or stressed. So, make his grooming needs accordingly. You must brush them weekly once. Chances of matting are relatively low in these dogs. Although outdoorsy, he barely has any odor issues. It is enough to bathe him once or twice annually with a mild bath shampoo for dogs. Remember that excessive bathing can remove the natural oils from your canine’s skin. Trim their nails, check and clean their eyes and ears, and maintain their dental hygiene as a part of regular grooming. Some grooming product suggestions for your pet:
Along with the above grooming routines, ensure you examine your dog’s feet for any injury like tearing of nails, cuts or cracks on footpads owing to Catahoula Bulldog’s hyperactive nature. If you are allergic to dogs, extra precaution should be taken as Catahoula Bulldogs are not hypoallergenic breeds. As far as drooling is concerned, they don’t drool. If your dog inherits his Bulldog parent, ensure his wrinkles and folds are kept clean as dirt and bacteria may accumulate in these areas and cause infection. Being a southern-bred dog, he thrives in warm climates and would not survive much in severely cold temperatures.
Catahoula Bulldogs are susceptible to sensitivities like dryness, damaged dog nose, or flaking. It is best to use all-natural, organic dog products to keep them away from further irritations. Snout Soother can help heal the rough, crusty nose. Some soother suggestions for your pet:
Catahoula Bulldogs are relatively healthy breeds. However, like any other breeds, they are prone to health conditions stemming from their lineage. Thus, to keep them healthy, it is vital to take your dog to the veterinarian for regular health checkups and ensure that he is updated with vaccinations. The lifespan of Catahoula Bulldogs is 13-16 years. Some inherited health problems are listed below:
Hip Dysplasia: A disorder that affects canines in their growing phase. It leads the hip joint to relax, resulting in discomfort and dysfunction. In addition, the cartilage and bones in the dog’s hip start to wear away as he develops. This leads to arthritis, muscular atrophy, and decreased mobility over time.
Elbow Dysplasia: This disorder occurs when the elbow joint bones don’t fit appropriately. This condition generates abnormal pressure at the joint, leading to chronic rubbing and painful osteoarthritis.
Symptoms
Mild to moderate pain
Lameness in the forelimbs
Heart Disease: There are several heart diseases like stroke, congenital heart defects, Mitral Valve Disease, cardiomyopathy, etc. It causes irregular heart murmurs and heartbeat. It can be identified through an X-ray or ECG, and dental care, medications, and weight control can aid in controlling this disease.
Allergies: Some mixed breeds can be allergic to various substances, ranging from food to pollen. If your dog licks his paws or rubs his face a great deal, get him checked by your veterinarian.
Dry Nose: Inheriting Bulldog’s trait, the Catahoula Bulldogs may be prone to dry nose syndrome, making them irritable. It causes the nose to be flaky and rough. It is genetic and can be treated with some soothing balms.
Eye Problems
Deformed Eyes (Small Microphthalmia): Animals suffering from this deformation develop smaller eyes as the nictitating membranes cover their eye or sockets. For this reason, they may be confined to an eye or both.
Missing Eye or Eyes (Anophthalmia): This congenital disability occurs when one or both eyes are missing. The eyes may have been formed at times but exist so deep inside the eye socket that the nictitating membrane covers them.
Wandering Eye: This condition is characterized by eye degeneration which causes the lens to be liquefied.
Cataracts: The condition causes cloudiness on the eye lens, leading to blindness.
Starburst Pupil (Coloboma): This deformation may be associated with deafness and blindness. It is similar to an eye cleft. This condition may also lead to cataracts in dogs.
Jagged Pupils: Dogs suffering from this defect are sensitive to light as their pupils have irregular edges.
Blindness: Lack of eyesight in one or both the eyes
Corectopia: This condition doesn’t affect the dogs severely but may get associated with other issues. In this condition, the pupils of the eye droop below their normal position.
Cherry Eye: When the glands under your canine’s eyelid protrude, it appears like cherry and has to be removed surgically.
Dry Eye: This painful condition dries the affected eye or creates a blue haze due to the insufficient production of tears. You can treat it with proper medication or teardrops.
Entropion: Entropion is caused when the eyelid rolls inward, irritating the eyeball from eyelashes rubbing on the surface. In critical cases, entropion can cause a corneal ulcer. The treatment for this disease is surgical.
Ectropion: Ectropion is when the eyelid rolls outward, causing irritation, dryness, and damage to the eyeball and conjunctiva (the tissues surrounding the eye). The treatment for this disease is surgical.
Kidney Disorder: Bladder stones or kidney stones are the most familiar problems with these mixes caused by hormonal changes, dehydration, kidney infections, and diet changes. Signs include fever, abdominal pain, blood, and pus in the urine.
Thyroid Dysfunction is a condition where the thyroid hormone levels are abnormal, leading to hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is when a dog’s metabolism is slowed due to the lack of thyroid hormone production. Symptoms are:
Lethargy
Gaining weight
Reluctance to work out
Hair Loss
Hyperthyroidism: When there’s excessive thyroid hormone secretion, it results in hyperthyroidism. Symptoms include anxiety, weight loss, and diarrhea. It can be inherited from the parent breeds.
Cancer: Although rare in Catahoula Bulldogs, dogs with a higher life expectancy are prone to cancer as they grow older. You can cure cancer by removing tumors surgically by chemotherapy. However, it is essential not to ignore the symptoms and diagnose them earlier. Bone Cancer or Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone cancer common in large and giant breeds.
Deafness: Dogs, like people, can develop hearing loss as they age. As this is usually a slow process, it might be challenging to observe. The eardrums become less flexible, and sounds are less efficiently transferred. In addition, chronic ear infections cause some dogs to lose their hearing.
Health Overview
Overall health
Medium to high
Weight gain tendencies
Medium
Size
Medium to high
Catahoula Bulldog Diet and Nutrition
Catahoula Bulldogs are high-energy dogs. Therefore, they would require a diet rich in protein. Several commercial kibbles are high in proteins, but consider supplementing the kibbles with rich quality lean meat and canned dog food. Depending on his size, age, weight, and activities, consult your veterinarian and feed him the amount of food he will need. You can divide his meal time into two or three per his veterinarian’s suggestions.
Pedigree Choice Cuts In Gravy Adult Canned Wet Dog Food
The Catahoula Bulldog will require the following living conditions to lead a happy and healthy life.
A fenced yard or an ample space to run around.
A family that dedicates time.
A climate that is not too cold.
If you live in an apartment, you must ensure that you provide time for his physical exertion.
Experienced pet owners.
A devoted pet owner who spends on grooming and dietary requirements.
Adding Catahoula Bulldog
Things to Remember Before Adding a Catahoula Bulldog
Adding Catahoula Bulldogs to your family will need proper research about their parent breed, cost, breeders, health, and certificates. Then, get your Catahoula Bulldogs from a reputable breeder who will provide you with vaccination and gene testing certificates. Also, ensure the health of the puppy’s parent breeds.
Cost of a Catahoula Bulldog Puppy
Catahoula Bulldogs will cost anywhere between $400 – $700.
