Catahoula History
There are references to the Catahoula during the 1800's, it is said that the fomous Bowie brothers Jim and Rezin owned some of them, and that they would sleep with a Catahoula at their feet.
In the early 1900's President Theodore Roosevelt was introduced to a pair of Catahoulas while on a hunting trip to Louisiana.
Louisiana's Governor from 1948-1956, Earl K. Long, took an interest in Catahoulas and began collecting them. After Long's death the dogs were almost forgotten. Two gentlemen named Kline Rushing and Vernon Traxler Jr. along with other breeders had a vision to make the breed known and began keeping records of the matings.
At that time, the Red Wolf, which
then roamed Louisiana, was used by the Indians to
locate game, much in the same manner as hunters use
their dogs today. All these dogs
bred and interbred with each other along with the
Red Wolf. The offspring of the subsequent crosses between
the Red Wolf and these "war dogs" became known as the
"wolf-dog". The Wolf Dog, which is mentioned in Louisiana
History, as well as most history books covering this era, was the
name given to them by Henri Tonti during one of his visits
to Louisiana.
There are references to the Catahoula during the 1800's, it is said that the faomous Bowie brothers Jim and Rezin owned some of them, and that they would sleep with a Catahoula at their feet.
Daniel Boone is rumored to have had catahoulas, and pictures exist of him today in which cur dogs are present.
In the early 1900's President Theodore Roosevelt was introduced to a pair of Catahoulas while on a hunting trip to Louisiana.
As the years passed the Catahoula became a closely guarded secret among the Louisiana farmer's and hunter's, and then almost became extinct because so little was known about the breed.
Louisiana's Governor from 1948-1956, Earl K. Long, took an interest in Catahoulas and began collecting them. Govenor Long often gave a catahoula as a gift. In order to care for so many dog's, he sent them to the State Prison farm and the State Police Stock Patrol. After Long's death the dogs were almost forgotten. Two gentlemen named Kline Rushing (a former state trooper) and Vernon Traxler Jr. along with other breeders had a vision to make the breed known and began keeping records of the matings.
The NALC (National Assoication of Louisiana CaA Catahoula is hot-nosed (will only track a recent scent) where most hounds are cold-nosed (tracking a scent that is quite old.)
A Catahoula is short-ranged where many hounds will follow the trail for miles and miles.
While an excellent hunter, a Catahoula will also work or bay cattle, something that most hounds can not do.
A Catahoula is first a herding dog. Many of the same traits that make the catahoula an excellent herding dog can be seen in it's hunting style. Unlike "heeling" herding breeds, catahoulas are "headers" choosing to face thier quarry.
A Catahoula is protective of its family, while most hounds do not show this trait.