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. The breed is sometimes referred to as the "Catahoula Hound" or "Catahoula Leopard Hound", although it is not a true hound, but a cur. It is also called the "Catahoula Hog Dog", reflecting its traditional use in hunting wild boar.

History

Very little is known about the actual origins of the Catahoula. One theory posits that the Catahoula is the result of Native Americans having bred their own dogs withmolossers and greyhounds brought to Louisiana by Hernando de Soto in the 16th century. As for the aforementioned Native American dog breeds, for a time it was believed that they were bred with or from red wolves, but this idea is not supported by modern DNA analysis. Several recent studies have looked at the remains of prehistoric dogs from American archaeological sites and each has indicated that the genetics of prehistoric American dogs are similar to European and Asian domestic dogs rather than wild New World canids. In fact, these studies indicate that Native Americans brought several lines (breeds) of already domesticated dogs with them on their journeys from Asia to North America.

There are two theories regarding the origin of the word 'Catahoula.' One theory is that the word is a combination of two Choctaw words 'okhata', meaning lake, and 'hullo', meaning beloved. Another possibility is that the word is a French transformation of the Choctaw Indian word for their own nation, 'Couthaougoula' pronounced 'Coot-ha-oo-goo-la'.(Don Abney)Another theory suggests that the breed originated three centuries later, some time in the 19th century, after French settlers introduced the Beauceron to the North American continent. The French told of strange looking dogs with haunting glass eyes that were used by the Indians to hunt game in the swamp., and the theory states that the Beauceron and the Red Wolf/war dog were interbred to produce the Catahoula.

Jim Bowie and his brother Rezin Bowie, who spent much of their youth in Catahoula Parish are reported to have owned a pair of Catahoulas. It was said that they would sleep with a Catahoula at their feet. During the early 1900s, Teddy Roosevelt used the Catahoula when hunting. Louisiana Governor Earl K. Long had an interest in the breed and collected them. This interest was recognized by an annual competition known as Uncle Earl's Hog Dog Trials.

In 1979, Governor Edwin Edwards signed a bill making the Catahoula the official state dog of Louisiana in recognition of their importance in the history of the region.

In 2007, the Catahoula was voted to be the school mascot for Centenary College of Louisiana.

Appearance

Size

As a working dog, Catahoulas have been bred primarily for temperament and ability rather than for appearance. As a result, the physical characteristics of the Catahoula are somewhat varied.

Catahoulas may range greatly in size with males averaging slightly larger than females. Typical height ranges from 20–26" and weight between 40 and 90 lbs.

Plott Hound

Plott Hound

The Plott Hound is a large scent hound, specifically a coonhound, originally bred for hunting boar.

Description

The Plott Hound is one of the least known breeds of dog in the United States, even though they are the state dog of North Carolina.

Appearance

The Plott Hound should be athletic, muscular, and agile in appearance. It should be neither low-set and heavy, nor leggy and light: it has medium build. Its expression should be one of intelligence, confidence, and determination. Its skin should not be baggy like that of a Bloodhound. The Plott is a strongly built yet moderate hound, with a distinct brindle-colored coat. Their appearance suggests the capacity for speed, stamina and endurance. The Plott may have an identification mark on the hound used to identify the dog when out hunting. Such a mark is not penalized in conformation shows.

Coat and color

The Plott Hound's fur should be fine to medium in texture, short or medium in length, and with a smooth and glossy appearance. According to the National Plott Hound Association, the dog's fur should be brindled. Brindled: "Finely streaked or striped effect or pattern of black or tan hairs with hairs of a lighter or darker background color. Shades of colors accepted: yellow brindle, red brindle, tan brindle, brown brindle, black brindle, grey brindle, and maltese (slate grey, blue brindle)." Acceptable colors are any of the above mentioned brindles. Black with brindle trim in the alternative. The Association dictates that while some white on chest and/or feet is permissible, white anywhere else, except on chest and/or feet, is a fault.

Size

Plott Hounds are approximately 22 to 27 in (55 to 71 cm) at the withers for males, 21 to 25 in (53 to 63 cm) for females. Males should weigh 50 to 75 lb (23 to 27 kg). Females should weigh 40 to 65 lb (18 to 25 kg).

Temperament

This breed is active. They have a superb treeing instinct, take readily to water and are quick to learn. They are often indifferent to other dogs but seek the attention of humans. Voice is open trailing, bawl and chop. They have a clear voice that carries well.

Akbash Dog

Akbash Dog

The Akbash Dog (from Turkish: Akbaş, literally "white head" ) is native to western Turkey in the region known as the Akbaş, and it is primarily used as a livestock guardian dog.

History

The Akbash Dog is thought to be a Turkish version of white livestock guardian breed similar to those found in and around the northern Mediterranean Basin. The Akbash Dog has its unique combination of molosser and sighthound qualities.

This breed was developed at least 3,000 years ago. Their white color distinguishes them from predators.

Archeological evidence suggests that the earliest civilizations arose in the parts of the world currently occupied by Turkey 10,000 years ago and began to domesticate animals and cultivate (or domesticate) plants. In short order there would have been a need for livestock protection dogs to care for the livestock.

The other white breeds of livestock protection dogs from around the world include, but may not be limited to:

• Aidi or Chien De L'Atlas, originally from North Africa (preferred color white, but other colors appear)
• Great Pyrenees, of the Pyrenees Mountain area in France and Spain (may have light/med. spots)
• Greek Sheepdog, from Greece
• Komondor from Hungary
• Kuvasz from Hungary (white or ivory)
• Maremma-Abruzzese Sheepdog, from the Maremma plains and from the Abruzzi mountainous region of Italy (may have light yellow/orange on ears)
• Polish Tatra Sheepdog or Owczarek Podhalanski, from Poland
• Romanian Sheepdog or Carpathian Sheepdog, from Romania (usually white with pied brown)
• Slovak Cuvac or Slovensky Tchouvatch, from Slovakia
• South Russian Ovtcharka or South Russian Sheepdog

Appearance

The Akbash is a large dog, weighing from 75 to 140 pounds (34 to 64 kg), averaging 90 pounds for the female, and 120 pounds for the male. Akbash dogs range from about 27 to 34 inches (69 to 86 cm) tall. The Akbash is leaner than other Turkish livestock guardian dog breeds (i.e.: Kangal, and Anatolian Shepherd), and some Akbash dogs may also be taller.

The Akbash has a smooth-short to medium-full white double coat (sometimes with some light biscuit coloring at the ears). It has long legs, a tail that curls and is frequently feathered, and pink skin blotched with black or blackish-brown under its white coat. Eye rims, nose and lips should be completely black or blackish-brown for the show ring, but commonly they may have some pink.

It is believed the ancient genetics of the Akbash dog were founded on a combination of molosser and sighthound breeds. The Akbash possesses characteristics of both. Although there is a lot of variation in size and height in the Akbash breed, Akbash dogs have a reputation for being tall with long strong bodies. Most appear statuesque and are quite flexible for dogs their size. They have loose skin around their necks to help protect them from predators. Heads range from medium to heavy for working breed dogs. Purebred Akbash dogs may or may not be born with rear double dewclaws. Lack of, or possession of rear double dewclaws in an Akbash is no indication of recent interbreeding with other livestock guardian breeds nor any other breeds.

It is supposed by some that the Akbash and the Kangal Dog were originally distinct, pure Turkish breeds, and they were combined to create the Anatolian Shepherd Dog. There still exists controversy on this subject. Akbash should be easy to recognize next to Kangals and Anatolian Shepherds because of their white appearance, although some Anatolian Shepherds may resemble Akbash or Kangals.

It is legal to export Akbash dogs from Turkey. It is illegal to export Kangal dogs from Turkey. Kangals are the national dog breed of Turkey.

The Akbash breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) but is recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC). Akbash dogs may be shown in American Rare Breed Association (ARBA) shows, and in International All Breed Canine Association (IABCA) shows.