The Catahoula Bulldog is not a purebred dog but a cross between the American Bulldog and the Leopard dog.
The ideal percentage of crossing is 75%-25%, so the breeders get the desired mix. This medium to large size dog is distinctly broad in the shoulders, just like the bulldog.
It takes after the Bulldog with its muscular frame with tighter skin and also its short coat, which is smooth and silky.
These dogs do not normally have undercoats, but if the dog lives in cooler climates, they will often develop one to fit with the season.
Their ears can come in two different shapes, either rose or button-shaped, and sometimes owners choose to crop them for appearance sake.
Depending on how much content is taken from the parents will depend on the length of the tail, and it can either be long or bobtailed, and it is not uncommon for all puppies of the same litter to have completely different appearances.
Catahoula Bulldog temperament
These dogs are often misunderstood and regarded as aggressive animals because of their muscular appearance and their parents’ history.
If trained and socialized, these dogs make for great pets and can be very affectionate and loyal if given the right attention and treated correctly.
They are good with children if socialized but do not respond well to teasing and are known to get snappy.
Catahoula Bulldog size
This medium to big dog weighs anywhere between 60-100lbs (34-45.3kg) and measures 20-26 inches (55-66cm) in height.
Catahoula Bulldog health problems
The Catahoula Bulldog is known to be a hearty and healthy dog and does not have as many genetic problems as its parents due to its careful ratio of breeding.
A few reported more uncommon health issues that include: hip dysplasia, glaucoma, congenital heart defects, and entropian and ectropian (the folding inwards and outwards of the eyelid).
Living conditions
It is fine to keep this dog indoors, but the home must be big enough for it to wander about freely as these dogs can grow quite big.
It is essential that owners have an enclosed backyard for these dogs to run around and play in.
If the dog has a kennel, it is also fine for them to sleep outdoors as long as there is sufficient bedding inside.
Catahoula Bulldog Exercise
These are naturally muscular outdoor dogs that need constant running around and exercise to keep their bodies in shape and keep them out of trouble.
It is necessary to take them for two long walks or runs on a daily basis to keep them fit and out of mischief. When these dogs get bored, they have a tendency to destroy, including the home.
Catahoula Bulldog grooming
The Catahoula Bulldog is not much of a shedder, and it does not take much to look after this dog.
Its coat is strong and short, so it only needs to be brushed once a week to get rid of dead hair and skin.
This dog does not need to be bathed on a regular basis as it strips the natural oil from the coat.
It is recommended to bathe it approximately every two months with warm water and any kind of dog shampoo.
Catahoula Bulldog Feeding
This is a medium-sized breed, so your dog will need quite a lot of food each day.
You should feed your Catahoula Bulldog three cups of high-quality dog food. The food should be broken up into smaller meals such as breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
This dog breed is extremely active and also has a very fast-acting metabolism.
Make sure you get a food with a high-quality protein as the first ingredient. you can find a great dog food here.
Life Expectancy of a Catahoula Bulldog
Now, this mixed breed actually has quite a very long lifetime. This breed can live around 13-15 years of age.
This is a very long time for dogs. The Catahoula Leopard breed is actually known for its long life, and that is one of the parents of this breed.
So that is one of the reasons why this breed has such a long life.
Catahoula Bulldog Training
It can be actually quite challenging to train a Catahoula Bulldog. Both parents that make up this breed are quite different when it comes to training style.
You will need to keep your dog stimulated while finding a good balance that is not just all work nor play. Try to do a little of both.
This breed is very intelligent, so your dog should get down basic commands pretty easily.
This breed does have the natural ability to hunt so they can get distracted easily by other animals.
Remember to always use positive reinforcement when training your dog especially as a puppy because it helps teach them right from wrong.
What Colors Do They Come In?
These dogs come in a variety of different colors that include:
- White
- Black
- Brown
in solid colors or they can have spotted or merled coats with black, grey, or tan patches.
They also come with a number of different eye colors that can be dark brown, blue, amber, green, or even gold.
Catahoula Bulldog Puppies
This mixed dog breed is not very expensive as some other mixed breeds.
The Catahoula Bulldog puppies can cost around $500 and some around $800 on the higher end.
They don’t cost as much as other breeds because they are still not recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Each momma dog can have around 5 to 10 puppies in one litter.
Make sure you do your research and have all the costs budgeted for vet bills, food, etc.
Close Relatives of the Catahoula Bulldog
There are a few breeds that not only make up the Catahoula Bulldog breed but are also super similar; they are:
- Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog
- American Bulldog
- Mountain Cur
- Bull Terrier
Suitability
The Catahoula Bulldog is suitable for those families with land as it loves to run about and it does not mind spending time alone if it is outside doing its own thing as it can easily entertain itself.
This dog makes the perfect guard dog as it is fiercely loyal and will do almost anything to protect its human family.
It also has a natural hunting instinct, so it is also a popular breed among farmers and hunters too.