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I have to admit that I used a shock collar with my Catahoula. I only needed to make him understand that the highway is not a fun place to go. I have not yet pulled the trigger 5 times, but Levon knows that he is very free to travel the woods and river bottom up to the woods on the hill, but not the highway.
I agree with your assessment. I adopted mine 3 years ago when he was about a year old. I didn't know what the breed was when I did. I love him to death but I would never get another unless I can get enough money to get a lot of land. We still do a lot like hiking, camping and being outside but I can see how that is not enough. The reason why I am keeping mine and not find a farm is because he is epileptic and a lot of people who want working hunting dogs can't really have that. So I try to give him the best life I can for him. We also formed a close bond and doesn't like to be without me and my shepherd. But at the same time he can be independent where he has time he likes to look out the window on my bed and if me shep or I bother him he gives this look like what do you want can't you see I am busy? But after dinner we must cuddle otherwise he will let the whole world know with his hyena laughter that he is not happy about this. To keep him stimulated I hide a scented stuffed duck in a field that I drag around and he goes and finds it. It is also nice because my shepherd lab plays Frisbee while he is zig zagging all over the place until he finds it. They are great dogs but at their heart they are working dogs.
@@daviddawson1718 It's prob fine- better than getting hit by a car. When in my early twenties with a bunch of dogs and other things, my usually peaceful Afghan suddenly discovered she was a dog instead of a showgirl. She batted a jack rabbit around, then ate it. This dog had been given into a distinguished family by England. So later I ended up with her. And she went after my chickens. I took the horse corral top electric line with its breaker off, put her on one side and a chicken on the other, then said go get it. Kinda mean, but it only took once. After that she became guardian of chickens, listening for hawks, and jumping at them in the air while barking. It gave the rooster time to round up domestic hens, and the game hens time to hide in tall trees. My once fussy show dog even rounded up the neighbors 3 pigs one morning and put them in the horse corral, with no prior training. Dogs are awesome! We didnt use fencing except that horse corral. The goats hung out with wild deer- but close by. It was a huge ranch, in central Tx, but most who had bought there were out of state. I wish more young people could have this exp I had in late 70's! Afghans act a bit dumb like Irish shepherds...but are not. Just cat like. As my last dog was in part, too. Some cats are dog like too. Usually you must repeat till it drives you crazy with cats to teach them to avoid the road. One cat from back in 70's, one of the kittens the Dingo hunted for and fed, actually saved me from a dog attack when it got older. A friend had got a shelter Borzoi, and when putting down ham bones far apart, it decided it needed both and jumped my Afghan...so I needed to intervene. And the Borzoi was turning on me, when this calico blur ran by. She jumped on its side, clung there doggedly. And the Borzoi went nuts spinning in circles and running. The cat hung on. I had to grow a pair- and I'm female ha- or soon the cat would lose its grip and die. So it all worked out. I hate hearing people talk bad about cats ( or say animals are not aware of death), when I've watched wild things stand and grieve for 3 days at their kid or mates death. Cats can be amazing. Very large spectrum of differences in them. I think in your case the measured and judicial use of an electric collar was fine. - have seen too many lose their dogs to cars.
Pitbulls do not have a murder in them. What they do have is the tenacity to die just to please their owner. That's what makes them great or horrible depending on the owner. They definitely need a strong alpha leader. Then again the older I get I am feeling people should have to take a test to own a dog or even raise a child. Lol
Was living in northern Saskatchewan in Canada on a farm. We were given 2 Catahoulas by a close friend from Tennesse who was living near by. When they were only about8-9 months old when a large bear came into the farmyard. My brother was only 7 at the time and playing outside. In the time it took dad to grab a rifle and come back out. These two hit that bear head on. Bear did not make out well and the last I saw of it it was running for the bush. Numerous cuts and bites, the dogs then went back to playing like nothing had happened. Love this breed can’t say it enough
Raised 2 Catahoulas male and female and your description was spot on. So clownish with the family and goofy with anyone we bring in. but strangers beware. Both dogs would sit inside the fence together wagging their tails and strangers would come up to the fence thinking they were being friendly until the stranger stuck their arms through or over the fence and the dogs launched themselves at the stranger. Despite numerous warning signs telling strangers not to do it, stupid knows no limits. I even posted a sign saying, " The dogs are not wagging their tails because they like you, they do it because they want to eat you. Keep hands and body parts you value away from the fence." Not two days later some woman walking by sticks her hand through the fence in front of the sign and then yells at me because the dogs went for her. After that I ut up an electrified fence within my fence to protect the dogs because there are too many stupid people out there. Kids were ok, the dogs never bothered kids in or out of the yard. They never tolerated strangers who were not ok's by us.
The same advice your parents gave to you to not talk to strangers applies to dogs. Do not look, talk or touch strange dogs unless you want to risk getting bit.
Rescued a year old 70 lb. female not knowing what breed she was until a few days in found her 25 feet up in our tree. 11 years on and she’s been the most amazing animal I’ve ever seen. Her rescue sister, a Dutch Shepherd, is the perfect hunting partner for her-they are unstoppable and no fear.
As a person with Catahoula experience, I found your "non-expert" assessment to be quite astute! 💯 True Behaviorists are great for the formal Training industry at large. I also endorse the claim that many, many people do NOT need/want this cool, cool-looking, breed!
My catahoula was a stray in Los Angeles and I drove down 100 miles to go rescue him. He's been the best guard dog and most loyal friend I've ever had. Big boy is about 120lb
I had a Catahoula back in the 1980’s in West Texas, ( I’d never even heard of one before that) he was the friendliest, bravest dog I ever had. ( I have had German Shephards and Dobermans) but my Catahoula would charge whole packs of Javelinas and coyotes. Super smart dogs.
My wife’s grandfather who lived in Abeline got me onto Catahoulas. I had never heard of them either! He said you should get one. Well we got two and he got the biggest kick out of that. They are truly special!
I found mine in Hammond, LA, she was 3 months old, and she’s everything Stonnie described. In an open field she goes after a jackrabbit until it lays down flat on the ground, at that point she’ll bark to let me know where she is, and I can literally pick it up by the ears. She never bites them, but she loves the chase. I live in S TX, so when temperatures are quite high she has to get in the water to drop body temperature, since we travel a lot, I noticed her preferred temperature is from the 30’s to the 60’s, but we have hiked in CO at 10F and she does just fine. On leash while on city streets, once we hit the field she’s on her own. Owning a Catahoula puts you as an owner on that very thin line between being a “responsible” owner or not. When at home, she stays inside the house, she truly needs to be where the family is, and since I found her she has never damaged anything, even when she’s alone. Of all the breeds I have had Catahoulas are the best for me.
Long time viewer, first time caller. This was particularly helpful for me. I have a young cattle dog, so plenty of different tendencies. But just in the past week I realized I needed to back off on heavy obedience work and just hike with him off leash and dial down obedience to a few short sessions a week. This kind of articulated what I was groping towards by trial and error. Thanks.
@@C.Hawkshaw Yes, but it wasn't that so much as coming to realize that formal obedience was becoming a drag for him. He's 15 months, and I thought all the work was helping to tire him out. But it was just making him cranky - a lot of hanging out with me not so much fun. We're lucky to have a 5 mile hike nearby and I've just focused on that being the highlight of the day - doing some recall, down, stays whatever sprinkled through the hike. Seems to be really digging it and when he needs to be on the leash minding better.
Great video. I had a 90 lb Catahoula who lived to be 13. He was an AWESOME dog and was definitely everything Stonnie described. So well behaved, but independent athletic, and a squirrel hunting machine.
as a catahoula owner i enjoyed this. one thing also with the breed is that they were bred to think things out. i am on my second purebred catahoula - he is nalc. in between the two purebreds i had a catahoulaxaustralian shepherd cross. being in my mid-sixties getting the 2nd one [bleucat] i put a lot of thought into it. i know their energy level can be off the charts, plus if you are not actively hunting it is extremely hard to even find a breeder or even get one when you do find a breeder. and there are long waits for a puppy. bleucat is a grey leopard, little over 2 yrs old now. in fact 2 days ago made 2 yrs ago i brought him home at 8 weeks old and he was 16 lbs. i do not hunt anymore, but i have owned beef cattle and horses the majority of my life. what i have found also with this breed is that as long as you are the alpha, you do not need to be to physical in correcting this breed. i can hurt bleucat's feelings by raising my voice very loud. And there is a lot of repetitive work to reinforce what is expected of them. my motto also: not everyone needs a catahoula. his prey drive is also off the chain. again thank you for this video.
One of the best most fun dogs my family ever had was a catahoula/ Australian shepard. She was super smart and funny. She was great with people, but very alpha with the rest of the pack. All dogs trust came on the farm showed her their belly or bleed. They learned quick. She also was very protective of her pack and farm.
Your assessment is spot on. I had a red leopard catahoula from a breeder friend of mine here in South Louisiana. As a puppy she would heard my 3-year-old daughter back to me when she wandered in the front yard. These dogs can do ANY hunting/farmwork. But they need lots of room to roam. They want to work. And they belong on a large piece of property.
I rescued a Catahoula a couple years ago and I knew NOTHING about the breed. I live in a rural area in Colorado, have horses and a Red Heeler that needed a companion. My farrier came to shoe my horses and he knows he is welcome to bring his dog to play with mine. As he unloads his dog, I see an another spotted dog come out also. I maybe heard the “Catahoula” name and traits 40-50 times and that was when I lived in Northern Florida. I helped a rancher in Florida that would have to gather these ol’ swampy cattle. He’d let that dog loose and head run right into the cypress swamps and get to work. It was impressive and that was my first introduction to this breed. My farrier let him out after asking me and I said sure. The dog came out and my heart sank! I could see every bone in his body. My farrier then explained the reason he had him and it wasn’t a nice story but he was going to change that for him. He knew my Aussie/Heeler female that I lost and this dog grabbed my heart as he came up to me with these sad but intelligent eyes. I asked him if he was going to just keep him and he told me that he couldn’t leave him in the home he was in but he said he was going to have to give him to someone. I blurted out to him, “heck, I’ll take him”! I didn’t know his intelligence until I saddled up one day and took him to move cattle. WOW, he went about herding but also looking back to me to take commands. He knows his job, is kind to strangers, but will put himself between I and someone he’s never met. He is very protective, will do his job, load up into the truck and loves to see different areas and absolutely loves working. He’s a very good addition to the pack and I’d definitely get others.
We accidentally adopted our Catahoula back in December. She was originally adopted in Louisiana at about 4 months old and her owner brought her to Utah. He wasnt good with her, he didnt like her so we asked for her and spent a few month's trying to find her a home. 8 month's later I'm trying to dumb her down she can just be a house dog. This video gave me several ideas on ways I can improve my ownership to meet her needs ❤
I love this type of video! This isn't academic study of dogs, it's exposure to them, leading to real world dog knowledge and wisdom! Thank you for your content Stonnie!
He sounds like he knows a lot dog behavior and has the ability to talk like regular people which needs more knowledge because he doesn’t repeating things in books or schools.
Thank you for raising awareness. So many just pick this Dog to HAVE IT! but these people can not provide the Life style this Dog needs. Having a Dog is a Lifestyle choice.
It's taken awhile, but my Catahoula leopard dog has almost gotten me trained. This is fastest growing, fastest running dog I've ever seen, coyotes don't have a chance, he literally runs them to ground.
Absolutely !!! They listen....when they want to....but take charge when you are being what they perceive as an "idiot". LOL We had some freaking racoons being a total menace to our camp and our neighbors camp. The kids were crying because the audacity of these coons. So I had to unleash Wilson. He freaking went after them. My camping neighbors were freaked out. They were like "they will kill a dog". I may have been taking some chances, but this scenerio has played out many times in our camping adventures. Wilson takes care of the coons. Never a scratch. No more coon problems. I think they talk....LOL
Love me a curr dog. I bred NALC Catahoulas for a decade. Everyone involved with the breed agrees that they aren't for everyone. They won't stick around if you aren't working them. You see a lot of bully breeds down here with leopard spots. One of my bloodlines had some harlequin Dane in it. Catahoulas have great noses but are "hot nosed" hounds. They wind as much as they track. You can't hurt them enough to correct them. They want to please you and you don't need to use harsh correction on them. I quit on them just because I am too old to hunt hogs any more.
You mention not being an expert on the breed a couple of times but your genuine reverence and the space you hold for the dogs to be as they are has led to in depth observations regarding the breeds personality characteristics, temperament, inclinations, engagement etc. Youre spot on with everything you have noted. This is the most accurate, in depth, and insightful video on the breed that ive seen and anyone thinking about selecting this breed as a companion should watch this video. My boy is all of these things and hes taught me things like no other. Highly emotionally sensitive as you say with low tempermental resilience. Hard to keep motivated in regards to working in conjunction with handler. I can have great short obedience/work sessions with him, hes super intelligent and loves problem solving and the mental stimulation, but absolutely nothing is more rewarding than exploring the environment and tracking/hunting, in a very calculated way of course. So so nose driven and autonomy is certainly huge for him. The more i allowed him to be himself and do/show me the things he loved, the more he thrived and felt truly fulfilled. Our bond is like no other and a huge part of that is exactly due to what you mentioned- recognizing the lineage of the breed and what they were bred for and honoring that as well as the individuality of the dog in front of you. Much love and respect 🙏 🫶🏽 these dogs are truly seen by you
@stonnieDennis we loved the Catahoula episode…you nailed it. Little murder inside, independent, not for everyone, change is not your friend-this is ‘not normal’. Question: do you know about the catahoula lean?? Or unimpressed face? Very snuggly otherwise. And loves squirrels more than anything on the planet. Definitely not for everyone. They have a lot of energy and take a lot of work.
I got mine as a gift. Id never even heard of them. Ive always had German shepherds and Rottweilers. But the Catahoula beats them hands down. Easiest dog ive ever trained, highly intelligent, great with my grandchildren. And has literally saved my life on 2 occasions. Ill never own another breed again. I dont know about others Catahoula but mine does have a lot of wolves personality traits.you discribed my loki perfectly.
@@LooseBills you NEED to run this breed once a day or else it will not be good for either of you. so if you live near a big park or other fenced in area it's doable. but since it takes a while to train solid recall in this breed (they're very independent) would be challenging without a fenced yard. lots of other dog breeds tolerate apartments better.
The Catahoula is NOT a hound they are a bay dog. As a type of cur they are quiet on the trail and will bay and hold their livestock &/or wild game. Per the NALC standard: The Catahoula is independent, protective, and territorial. It may show aggressive behavior. Signs of timidity on a leash should not be taken as cowardice, but the intolerance for strangers.
@@marleri is it French? Or French Creole? Or have a meaning slightly different from just meaning dog? The way the OC is using the word they sound like it means something more than just dog.
My mom had a friend with a female pit. She was always friendly and loving except when she had puppies. Then she turned into "Touch my puppies and I will end you."
@@sixter4157 Kind of like I was when I had babies :) My dogs don’t leave the grandbabies side when they nap either. They lay on the floor by the door until they wake up, the were once known as the nanny dog for a reason :)
Thank you for this video. I learned a lot from it that I think is very applicable to my Black Mouth Cur, that I adopted. The breed was new to me but their behaviors are very similar to the Catahoula Leopard Dog. I've had other dog breeds, but this is my first scent hound, general farm dog breed. I'm learning that she's very smart, very aware and wants nothing more than to engage with the world around her. I think knowing about a breed and understanding its needs and motivations is critical to not only being able to train it, but also in giving it a good life and having a good relationship with it that is mutually beneficial. Thanks for doing what you do so well and sharing it freely here with others. Maggie & I appreciate it greatly!
I do trail maintenance and have always gone out with a dog. I bought a ‘Texas Heeler’ pup . And soon figured out she was ‘different.’ Not totally sure of her breed but she is excellent during trail work. Doesn’t chase deer or small animals but she has my back if we come across a bear. She usually runs around while I’m working. Once I got off trail and started to wander. She was 1 year old and got me back on the trail. Dogs are truly amazing animals.
My grandson has a catahoula my icon. Its been raised on a farmette. Shes 1 yr old but the property has 3 family homes on it. Last summer we sat on the porch watching trixie heard 1 cow at a time into the pond area. It was really amazing i fell in love with her too.
I have a Black Mouth Cur/catahoula mix and she's all of these things. Super athletic, no real off leash issues, very strong, but also VERY sensitive. She has a high prey drive and is very much a slave to her nose. I describe our relationship as "roommates"; sometimes. We like to be around each other but she kind of just orbits around me when I do things.
A good friend of mine bred them in the 90's on their family ranch in Florida. They used them for cattle dogs and were not to be approached if they didn't know you. Spooky intelligent yet 'primitive' in many ways if that makes any sense, loved them since then.
I have a 2 year old and your comment about them being "spooky intelligent" caught my eye. This dog doesn't miss much. We describe him to be like the Velociraptors depicted in Jurassic Park. He has figured out how to open most doors unless they have a traditional Knob handle. And when he looks at something, especially when he watches you, you can tell he is working it out. HA
This is totally off-topic, but very relevant to your training videos… Day before yesterday I took my little Feist dog for a walk. On the way home very large, solid white fully intact male pitbull came running at us. AGRESSIVELY. He didn’t seem friendly… So I became the leader and stepped in front of Riker, and yelled no at the dog. He stopped dead his tracks. My heart was pounding a mile a minute, and I had to reinforce with a very firm voice more than one time before he decided to move along. I have walked Riker daily and presented her with as many small dog adventures as I possibly could. From creating my own obstacle course in my neighborhood by jumping over large rocks and benches to simple leash manners. Your training paid off, my little dog sat there and let me handle the whole thing without making a peep when told to wait. She doesn’t rush the door, she knows all of your vocabulary… Some days better than others. She is only a year and a half old after all. lol. But I found myself thinking thank goodness for Stonnie Dennis and his training style. It worked for me and my dog and I cannot even imagine how that episode would’ve escalated if Riker had been a freak on the end of that leashwhile I was trying to fend off that large dog. I have raised a very confident well mannered little girl. Thank you so much for your free content as I cannot afford to bring Riker to Lexington L O L you are awesome and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I must agree with you wholeheartedly to pick the right breed and my expectations are being met as a result for us on a daily basis. Thank you from Marsha and Riker (my number one #iykyk) the Fiest mix.
Perfect, i do wish more people would think long and hard before selecting a particular breed, unfortunately so many pick a dog because of what it looks like, or how they think it makes them look. As a new dog owner with a Terrier I knew exactly what i was getting. I have had cats for many many years so having a dog who wasnt 100% subservient with a bit of attitude and a mind of his own wasnt an issue for me. Having a dog that was ball obsessed or stick obsessed would drive me bananas 🤪 so okay sometimes he will turn a deaf ear, and he is no velcro dog, but i can honestly say he is amazing. He is well mannered and not barky. I knew what i was getting, i made that choice and he suits me very well.
I just lost my Catahoula/Pit mix of 15 years. Most amazing dog I ever had. Immensely loyal, protective, emotional, intelligent, obedient, and lived to please her owner. Very much a one owner/family dog and she wouldn't dream of leaving my sight ever.I adopted her when she was about a year old after she had been used as a bait dog. We had a lot of amazing adventures together. Amazingly athletic and she actually loved playing in snow! Never once saw her bothered by cold weather and would have to nearly drag her inside. Hated farm animals though lol.
You are spot on with most of the things you have pointed out...I new nothing about catahoolas until I got my Ruby....she has been trained as my asistance dog...you guys call it a service dog....it has been a Chalange...but she has turned out to be perfect...she alerts to many thing ...some things we didn't expect....she is very protective of me and has changed my life for the better
Got to warn you when they reach full maturity, they become very protective. I knew of a lady who had one and she was in a wheel chair. The dog had been trained to pick up things for her (fetching isn't a catahoula trait generally) and to go get help if she fell down. I warned her the older her dog gets, the more protective he would get. The lady fell in a public space and for some reason her dog turned on and wouldn't let anyone approach her. The dog had to be put down by the police for safety reasons. The dog was either 5 or 6 years of age. Even the tribe who the catahoula came from will tell you they do not make good service dogs at all. What I suspect you may have is an Australian shepherd mix that came out with short hair.
The Catahoula’s temperment and size appears very similar to my Plott (hound). We did not do a good job of socializing him when he was young so he tends to be aggressive towards other dogs and strangers. Since I retired 8 months ago I’ve been taking him for long walks through wooded areas. When we first started the dog became agitated on encountering another walker but he was obedient in coming to my side and settling down. The exception was when we encountered another dog that showed aggression. I had to pull him away from that situation quickly. Now, after 7 months walking almost every day he show absolutely no aggression toward other people or docile dogs while we’re away from home. He’s still very territorial in our yard and barks or bays at other dogs or people who get too close. The dog is 5 years old now; is very sweet and obedient with my wife and me.
My terrier is the most inquisitive heartbeat on the planet, and I love that about her, but it means she is always under foot trying to understand and learn what i am doing. Everything takes 3x longer than necessary. My devotion to her has forced me to slow down and be aware of my own frustration levels. Dogs teach us that not all things are for all people. That Lab is amazing, but he would drive me insane. 😂 ... and a Lab saved me from drowning. The humans didn't realize I was drowning, but the yellow Lab did.
I’m from Louisiana and knew folk with these dogs. They were never fenced or indoors. Just a plain old yard dog that did their own thing. Us kids didn’t even pay them no mind.
First time watching, my mom's family is in Louisiana and I love dogs, and thought I'd settle in. I enjoyed this very much. The biggest point that people should understand is these serious working dogs are good at their jobs because they've been bred for independent thinking. But that means you have to be willing to call them and have them not come immediately. My husb was very frustrated by the Great Pyr we rescued and rehomed to a working environment. I was put in mind of a guy I saw once at a large, public, offleash park. He became enraged that his (large working type) dog wouldn't respond to his demands, and he obviously was embarrassed and ego hurt. Really having a tantrum. All I could feel was sadness for the dog who was just having fun being himself. So yes please these working dogs should never be held by city dwellers where the dogs have limited outdoor access, but even folks in the country who want a companion, I question. And honestly if they don't have appropriate outlets they'll make them up and you wont like their creative efforts. So i believe in your teaching and method, you seem super knowledgeable about shaping behaviors in the right windows. Great stuff!
I rescued a Catahoula/Pit at 9 months old 3 years ago from Dallas Animal Shelter, think Catahoula with short legs! He is the best dog I have ever had, but I make sure he gets lots of exercise and gets to sniff out the world on our walks and adventures, and I am mentally strong with him as he is a bit headstrong, but have never had to physically discipline him and when I have raised my voice to him , he is heartbroken so I always remember that. We have made multiple road trips from Texas to California and one night I stopped for gas and there was an issue with the gas pump. As the attendant was approaching the back side of my SUV, my boy started growling this deep throaty growl, (no bark) that I had not heard before. The attendant backed right up even though the window was only open a crack. In the three years I have had my boy, I have only heard this type of growl 5 times, and each time was when we were outside at night and it was an unknown man was approaching me, he never barked just the growl was always enough to voice the warning. Have had multiple unknown men come into the house, plumber, AC man etc and he is fine as long as I tell him it’s ok. His favorite thing to do when at home is sniff the fence line of the back yard and lie in wait for the squirrels to run along the fence snarking at him as they go, and lying on the front porch with his stuffed “lambchop” in the sun watching the world go by. He does go to doggy day care when I have to go into the office and will not stop playing long enough to be taken away from the play yard to eat. He comes home exhausted and hungry ❤He also has an obsession with cats, as all he really wants to do is clean them head to toe. One day I found him laying on his belly in the backyard with a rabbit between his front paws licking the poor thing to the point it had a Mohawk, not a scratch or puncture on the rabbit when I saved him from my boy’s extremely long tongue! He is by far the best dog I have ever had❤❤❤
I like this video so much I'm watching it again. I have a golden retriever, but he's not much like he's supposed to be! Definitely not a velcro dog! He's very nose driven like this guy. He runs ahead but always comes back on his own or when I Whistle .He instinctively points, even to go out of the house. , toys under the couch etc... He is very sensitive like a pointer. Chase's butterflies and blowing leaves like a German shorthaired. His parents are hunting dogs, not the "chubby" kind. So a lot of retriever literature doesn't seem to apply. I get nervous when I can't see or hear him for a few minutes in the woods so I have resolved to put a GPS tracker on him. Having said all that that, he's very well-behaved in restaurants , stores and in my house. I'm teaching him" go find" my phone, kong, squeaky.... hopefully this satisfies his need to hunt. This is definitely his area of expertise
Catahoula coat length or lack there of is of the most minimalist importance in all honesty. I live in Wisconsin and have a 2 year old Catahoula who I have wear a pretty heavy duty carhart jacket in winter. And with how high energy they are and non stop moving around and running they regulate their body temperature pretty well. Definitely does need a coat in the winter though.
Never heard of the breed till i rescued one, she is the biggest PIA, never listens,argues, stubborn. .love her to death, and been with her 24/7, on 4 years...my best running buddy, for service connected PTSD
My dad had one for some strange reason. I was in Denver because I moved away for awhile, and he was still in Shreveport living by himself. My pops pretty much only drinks Jim Bean watches TV, goes to the grocery once a week, and eats out sometimes. My dad had to crack the back door, throw his food dish out, and shut the door as quick as he could. The dog ate the ceiling fan on the back porch, and I asked him "What the hell did you think you are doing keeping that dog? He's so bored, he might actually explode or spontaneously combust! You're the most inoperative person I know and he will not motivate you to be active enough for him or even active at all. Find him somewhere else to live so he can live life!" Dad set him up with a guy who was in college with a lot of roommates and that dog fit right in. He checks on him every now and then and the dog is doing well.
It was very interesting listening to you explain a typical Catahoula’s disposition/behavior/tendencies as it caused me to think about my mixed breed rescue again…as far as how I try to explain him to others. Anyone who loves dogs loves him, because he’s very handsome and typically quite good with people. However, and this is why I am a very big proponent for the rare GOOD/ETHICAL purebred breeder: Yes, it is very rewarding to rescue/adopt and sometimes there are pure breeds available for adoption, but usually they are a mix, as is with my case. The mixed breed/mutts can be some of the best dogs, but many times, it’s a huge guessing game as far as how they are going to turn out/behave as it’s harder to know what breed(s) may manifest the most. According to Embark, my mix rescue is 35.3% American Staffordshire Terrier 28.0% American Pit Bull Terrier 20.2% Chow Chow 7.3% Pembroke Welsh Corgi 3.8% German Shepherd Dog 5.4% Supermutt He acts pretty much like a hound…nose always to the ground. Walks are “sniffs” more than walks as he has to smell everything. He is insanely stubborn, selfish, does not care one bit what I want him to do, will plant his feet and stand like a statue if there is something he wants to see/smell, and if he does not get what he wants when he wants it, he sulks. Very clearly sulks and does the exaggerated heavy sigh. Likes to feel sorry for himself even when he’s been naughty. Super high tolerance to pain. If he’s been in a scuffle with another dog, he has no idea if he’s been hurt or not. However, with that, he also shows No REMORSE if he harms another. He is very powerful and the lack of remorse and selfishness is a huge concern to me. With all that said, this is why I’m going back to my initial statement on the value of purebreds (ones bred very well….I do not support backyard/puppy mill/solely money hungry breeders with minimal experience, etc). I love my rescue dog very, very much, but I would never adopt any of his main breeds or particular mix again. I much prefer devoted, loyal, responsive, generally more predictable dogs, active - even high drive as you know what they need right off the bat. With mixes, you just have no idea what you’re getting. But with his mix especially, he makes a good social family dog (with supervision since he is strong/powerful and lacks empathy or quite frankly sense sometimes), but not a great “loyal best friend” who will show respect and devotion.
Like you, I like the idea of rescuing a dog but have not always had good experiences with it . I thought I'd hedge my bets by getting a purebred Golden Retriever. Whilel I wouldn't say he's nothing like the breed standard , he's definitely very high energy and has his own personality. His nose to the ground on walks and constantly running ahead in the woods. He is however trustworthy with my chickens, or more correctly his chickens! And he loves to retrieve, loves to swim.. . He's very obedient when he knows what I want. I think sometimes he's so focused on what he's doing he doesn't hear me. three toots on a referee whistle is better than shouting "come", which he knows perfectly well in less distracting environments. Even though all dogs have their own personality I would definitely agree a rescue of mixed breed and unknown history is much more challenging then getting a purebred puppy
I adopted one from a rescue in Florida January 31st 2024, he is the bestest boy I ever had, so gentle with my two Labradors. He is just over a year old and in training, he's stunning to look at, just look at my picture. Amazing dog 😻
I've been raising the breed for close to 30 years. They do not have pit bull in them at all or any hound in them either. What they do resemble is a muscular dog with drop ears. They have a tendency to be hot nosed which means they do air trailing instead of on the ground because they're so smart they don't wanna waste time sniffing the ground unless you got a pup from the old timers who bred their dogs to be cold nosed. I can only attest of maybe 2 guys who breed for the cold nose trait because of where they live, hogs are far and few in between. In Louisiana, hogs are pretty much everywhere so they really do not have to work so hard to track them. They come in solid colors and they work JUST THE SAME as the leopard ones which is irritating to me. People would often try to buy my leopard pups first and I would end up stuck with solid colored ones but one time I ended up selling all the solid colored ones and having leopard marked ones left over which was nice! I've not watched the whole video yet but I will. What I can tell you is catahoulas radically change upon full maturity which tends to be age 2 to 3 years of age with some turning on at age 4. What happens is they become very dog selective. Doesn't really mater if you heavily socialized the dog or not. Also doesn't matter if they're spayed/neutered...it's just a breed trait. I'm having to run 2 separate packs due to this and due to the fact my wife won't let me sell the ones that don't like the others. If I lived out in the country, it would be much more manageable due to more space. Lots of catahoula breeders will attempt to sell 2 pups together. Please don't buy from those breeders. City folks are guilty of this. The breed can be prone to Littermate Syndrome which means people will kennel them together, feed them together, play with them together etc.....that's the worse thing you could do to a catahoula. Rural folks tend to know that they need separate kennels, separate feeding areas, etc and it includes training them separately. With trying to train them on cattle or hogs, they're one of the few breeds who actively learn from each other. Get an experienced catahoula to show your pup what to do and then you can start adding commands what to do after the pup starts barking at the cow or hog. The experienced dog will bump the pup into position and go from there. Mothers are famous for teaching their pups how to hunt. What they will do is grab a pup's front leg and gently flip them over and gradually the pups start doing it to each other. That's how they stop feral hogs from running. Some breeders start them really young which I disagree with because it can cause the pup to burn out later on but I would trust only 1 or 2 breeders with turning on the pups properly. Too many get ruined for life. I tend to wait until my pups start barking at strangers or wild animals which tends to be around 8 to 10 months of age. I will mess around with your usual training commands like sit, stay, etc....before I start them on anything else. Some bloodlines are known to have pups produced that are extremely submissive to the point they're crawling on the ground and it makes other people think you beat your dog. No, it's a breed trait and yes, it can be bred away from! The good thing is if you've got a pup that's submissive, chances are very high they won't be stolen because they will bite strangers attempting to steal them. Oh one more thing! Many animal shelters are attempting to label merle short haired dogs as catahoulas in order to make them sound more exotic therefore they would get them new homes. If you didn't buy the pup/dog from a breeder or someone who has other catahoulas, chances are very high you were duped into buying/getting a dog that isn't behaviorally a catahoula.
My Catahoula is the same age as Hank. She's just as independent yet reliably attached to me. Her recall is brilliant but her on leash walking is a work in progress. Nose always on the ground! 😅
Love this! Agree with the guy who commented on your 100% "non-expertise." You totally are an expert. I have a half catahoula and half Aussie. She was 7 months old when I got her 3 years ago. She was basically crated because they couldn't handle her. She was socialized with 2 other dogs and cats during that time so I am glad about that. She is fine with all my cats. I live on 2 acres and also have access to several acres of timber behind me. We go on lots of hikes and adventures. I take her camping and hiking a lot. One thing not mentioned is how much this breed loves water and their webbed feet. Mine has never climbed up a tree, but I do say how she is like a goat. She LOVES the wood pile. And yes they will do commands but they do act put out and too good for things not on their list to do. We live on a busy road and I trained her with a GPS collar and now I only put it on her when I leave. She is 100% outside dog but does great in the camper. Mine is not territorial, but as soon as dusk hits and we are not home or a ysual place she is on guard. Mine is in the middle of everything I do as if she is studdying and learning how to do it if I am not around. She is really good about abandoning her interests to come when I call. The more familiar the area the farther she will go on her own but is never too far and always comes and finds me or is watching me. She just wants to be wherever I am. Oh and she is a forager and cd survive on her own. I love how you sd people don't get it anymore and panic about what dogs eat. There are still "real" dogs and a catahoula is one of them. She never eats stupid things like plastic or toys, but she will eat any bone she finds, nuts, seeds, corn, snails... I cd go on and on about how good your video was. Thank you. My family says she is me in dog form hyper, doesn't like to be bossed and a bit stubborn and wants lots of attention 😂
You’re absolutely right about the autonomy. Mine will play and hangout with me but when he’s done that’s it. He goes off and nothing I can do will lure him back. He hits the woods and he’s gone to do his own thing.
Beautiful intro to this unique breed. Our Alapaha bulldogs have a little Catahoula in them and you can see how it's affected their sensory ability - amazing tracking. They are tough...but sensitive - how they are treated and trained by owner. Great general purpose farm/ranch dogs - natural property protector, livestock protection, hog hunting and just having fun - going fly fishing, hiking and hanging out as you are doing work on the property etc. They are very interested in what you are doing. And you hit it in the target - they are so intuitive.
I love your breed reviews! All the other reviews cover their origins, colours, temperment, and grooming needs but rarely talk about what to actually expect to experience in real life day-in day-out. Hank is one lucky dog to get to hang out with Stonie all day 🥳 Can you review the Jack Russell and the Corgi. City folks seriously underestimate those breeds and get them at condo dogs.
man you aren't kidding when you said a Catahoula cur can be a little hard to live with but they are extremely intelligent and ready to please their person . my 2yr. old male never leaves my side and doesn't go more than 30ft. from me he is my trail buddy /lapdog .
We have a 2yr old female. She notices everything! Ceiling fan on or off, new plants, anything being moved. She is very protective of our grandchildren. Let them holler or cry and she is checking on them.
I live in Iowa and mine is outide, but she does have a heated house. She does just fine in the winter and if I am out in the cold so is she. She shivers a bit at first, but then she is fine and running about having a great time. She loves playing in the snow. I do have to feed her a ton to put any weight on her for the winter.
I had a catahoula and Rhodesian mix that I spent everyday with for a year. Bruno was the best dog I ever had. He would even try to talk to me by making sounds that mimiced human sounds.
I have a 8 month old catahoula leaped as my first dog at 22 and I was very scared. I put a lot of thought into what I wanted though so I wasn’t going to back down. After working with a trainer I’ve gotten her recall down and sit and lay down, just to calm her down from the over stimulation. I’ve also worked very hard to get the first command to be the command she responds too and she does great. That’s about the only thing I would say I need. I take her everywhere off leash and she has been trained to stay in front of me on walks and not go too far. She is also my truck dog and she goes literally everywhere with me
I just had (mom)catahoula pitbull miniature husky (dad)Belgian malinois shepherd mixed puppies their almost 15 weeks way bigger than I expected but we’re so in love when them. Full of energy and very smart. Very loving and loyal from birth. But they definitely need their space to be alone when they want to. Best dogs ever. Very over protective and I feel so safe walking them alone. Even the puppies are over protective with their little barks. Thanks for your video
I never knew what a Catahoula was until I rescued my dog as a puppy. Had no idea her breed until someone mentioned “catahoula.” And she matches your breed description so well... very independent, intelligent, curious. She’s the best❤
You're description is spot on, my catahoula loves his people, doesnt love obedience training, but is the best dog he does his own thing during the day and is my shadow during the evening. One night someone broke into our shed i didnt realize this was happening and let the dog outside 30 seconds later i heard screaming so i ran out and he had the guy up the privacy fence clamped on his foot until the cops came.
I've owned two pit bulls, trained dozens, to the point of your questioning if they have some in them. They're extremely boisterous dogs, the terrier in them really brings out a prey drive and depending on the animal it's one that can be managed, but never controlled. Incredibly stoic animals, but if you've not owned one past the age of about 4 - 6 years you'll think they're absolutely finicky animals. They really calm down with age (like all dogs.) The terrier in them, again, makes them stubborn dogs. Definitely not a good first time dog if this dog has any pit bull in it. They require a highly experienced handler with at least some education in animal behavior and obedience. Fantastic companion dogs when they're appropriately socialized and trained, though.
I adopted a dog listed as a boxer mix 9 days ago. She has some pretty unique features and I just realized that catahoula breed might be what she's mixed with, and this video is convincing me even more. Her ears fall back. She has a white nose and spotted paws but her coat is brindle. I find her much harder to train than my cattle dog. She's also the only dog I've seen jump 5ft and climb on the counter tops. She can also bully/tease my cattle dogs despite being leaner and 10lbs lighter. On the flip side she's a bit more affectionate than my cattledog.
Great video,Thank you! My husband and I thought we were adopting a huskie pit mix, but he definitely seems more and more every day like a Catahoula mix breed. Every description of his character you have noted to the T. We have also separated, and my husband has not been able to re-home him so I am taking him to my new mountain home with lots of hiking and trails for his curiosity and activity level. This puts my mind at ease a great deal knowing how I can negotiate with him in his new home with me.
I had 2 Catahohla mixed breeds for 15 years each. When I got my first one I learned much. But both were dedicated family dogs and each lived 15 years. I also had a Norwegian Elkhound in college for years
Thanks for the video. The dog you are walking through the obstacle coarse has such a loving demeanor, it was licking (kissing) your hand as you talked. It does not look like a breed that would be vicious. I am 74 and have always had dogs. When I was three years old my father was transferred to Elmendorf AFB Alaska. While there, he brought home a pup that was half Wolf and half husky, we called Wolf. The mother was killed at the base. We had Wolf for two years until my father was transferred to Sacramento California. I played with him all the time and he got along with our family and our other dog a small Boston Bull. Wolf was very large and could put his paws on my 6" tall fathers shoulders and look at him face to face. When we left Alaska we left Wolf with a lady that wanted him for her 3 dog sled racing team. We went to visit him right before we left Alaska and he was in a very large fenced in area with a bunch of other sled dogs. People go nuts once in a while so it is only reasonable to think that a dog could go nuts too. If a dog goes nuts, they could be dangerous and would have to be helped or put down. It is one thing to train an aggressive dog and another thing to try to train a dog that has gone nuts. Check out some of the dog trainers that take dogs that are acting aggressive and trying to bite people. Some of them can take a dog that is trying to bite them and bring the dog into control. One of them that amazes me is the "Dog Daddy".
My dad's Catahoula would crawl through the electric fence yipping the whole time. Then he'd run the hills for a while and a few hours later come back crawl back through the electric fence yipping again.
I had a horse that had a registered name of "Catahoula Creek". Never knew that was a breed until 10 years later when I met a rancher with a few Catahoulas. From that point on I was intrigued. It wasn't until about 15 years later I acquired my first Catahoula blue leopard that was 5 mos old. I still have her 12 years later. I also own another purebred Catahoula female that is deaf, and two male Catahoula crosses. They are amazing dogs, but they ARE NOT for the average dog owner. I stress that to many people that comment about them or become intrigued simply by the name. They are FEROCIOUS guard dogs which I love, but not easy to handle. The word I always use for them is "primitive". They are so smart that it seems daily you have to establish who is in charge. They are very head strong. And agreed...they are very tough and yes...they do get their feelings hurt. My older female Catahoula and I go toe to toe many times, and then she will just dismiss me until we "make up". I swear she understands every word I am saying! Thank you for this video, and showcasing the characteristics of this truly unique breed.
45 years ago I bought a pit bull from Ft Myers’s and its family was used to hunt wild boar he was a wonderful dog and I sold many pups from him I also ran across the Catahoula leopard dog that was used in conjunction with the pit bull to hunt these wild boar they were known for there loud bark. I think I saw where your in Kentucky I live in Lexington.
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I have to admit that I used a shock collar with my Catahoula. I only needed to make him understand that the highway is not a fun place to go. I have not yet pulled the trigger 5 times, but Levon knows that he is very free to travel the woods and river bottom up to the woods on the hill, but not the highway.
I agree with your assessment. I adopted mine 3 years ago when he was about a year old. I didn't know what the breed was when I did. I love him to death but I would never get another unless I can get enough money to get a lot of land. We still do a lot like hiking, camping and being outside but I can see how that is not enough. The reason why I am keeping mine and not find a farm is because he is epileptic and a lot of people who want working hunting dogs can't really have that. So I try to give him the best life I can for him. We also formed a close bond and doesn't like to be without me and my shepherd. But at the same time he can be independent where he has time he likes to look out the window on my bed and if me shep or I bother him he gives this look like what do you want can't you see I am busy? But after dinner we must cuddle otherwise he will let the whole world know with his hyena laughter that he is not happy about this.
To keep him stimulated I hide a scented stuffed duck in a field that I drag around and he goes and finds it. It is also nice because my shepherd lab plays Frisbee while he is zig zagging all over the place until he finds it. They are great dogs but at their heart they are working dogs.
@@daviddawson1718
It's prob fine- better than getting hit by a car. When in my early twenties with a bunch of dogs and other things, my usually peaceful Afghan suddenly discovered she was a dog instead of a showgirl. She batted a jack rabbit around, then ate it. This dog had been given into a distinguished family by England.
So later I ended up with her.
And she went after my chickens. I took the horse corral top electric line with its breaker off, put her on one side and a chicken on the other, then said go get it.
Kinda mean, but it only took once. After that she became guardian of chickens, listening for hawks, and jumping at them in the air while barking. It gave the rooster time to round up domestic hens, and the game hens time to hide in tall trees.
My once fussy show dog even rounded up the neighbors 3 pigs one morning and put them in the horse corral, with no prior training. Dogs are awesome!
We didnt use fencing except that horse corral. The goats hung out with wild deer- but close by.
It was a huge ranch, in central Tx, but most who had bought there were out of state. I wish more young people could have this exp I had in late 70's!
Afghans act a bit dumb like Irish shepherds...but are not. Just cat like. As my last dog was in part, too. Some cats are dog like too. Usually you must repeat till it drives you crazy with cats to teach them to avoid the road.
One cat from back in 70's, one of the kittens the Dingo hunted for and fed, actually saved me from a dog attack when it got older.
A friend had got a shelter Borzoi, and when putting down ham bones far apart, it decided it needed both and jumped my Afghan...so I needed to intervene. And the Borzoi was turning on me, when this calico blur ran by. She jumped on its side, clung there doggedly. And the Borzoi went nuts spinning in circles and running.
The cat hung on. I had to grow a pair- and I'm female ha- or soon the cat would lose its grip and die.
So it all worked out. I hate hearing people talk bad about cats ( or say animals are not aware of death), when I've watched wild things stand and grieve for 3 days at their kid or mates death. Cats can be amazing. Very large spectrum of differences in them.
I think in your case the measured and judicial use of an electric collar was fine. - have seen too many lose their dogs to cars.
Pitbulls do not have a murder in them. What they do have is the tenacity to die just to please their owner. That's what makes them great or horrible depending on the owner. They definitely need a strong alpha leader. Then again the older I get I am feeling people should have to take a test to own a dog or even raise a child. Lol
Was living in northern Saskatchewan in Canada on a farm. We were given 2 Catahoulas by a close friend from Tennesse who was living near by. When they were only about8-9 months old when a large bear came into the farmyard. My brother was only 7 at the time and playing outside. In the time it took dad to grab a rifle and come back out. These two hit that bear head on. Bear did not make out well and the last I saw of it it was running for the bush. Numerous cuts and bites, the dogs then went back to playing like nothing had happened. Love this breed can’t say it enough
Exactly right!
Raised 2 Catahoulas male and female and your description was spot on. So clownish with the family and goofy with anyone we bring in. but strangers beware. Both dogs would sit inside the fence together wagging their tails and strangers would come up to the fence thinking they were being friendly until the stranger stuck their arms through or over the fence and the dogs launched themselves at the stranger. Despite numerous warning signs telling strangers not to do it, stupid knows no limits. I even posted a sign saying, " The dogs are not wagging their tails because they like you, they do it because they want to eat you. Keep hands and body parts you value away from the fence." Not two days later some woman walking by sticks her hand through the fence in front of the sign and then yells at me because the dogs went for her. After that I ut up an electrified fence within my fence to protect the dogs because there are too many stupid people out there. Kids were ok, the dogs never bothered kids in or out of the yard. They never tolerated strangers who were not ok's by us.
The same advice your parents gave to you to not talk to strangers applies to dogs. Do not look, talk or touch strange dogs unless you want to risk getting bit.
Can we just take a moment to appreciate how fun "Catahoula" is to say? Is it just me?
Are you Buddy the Elf? 🙂
Sacred Lake is the meaning of the word its Choctaw
Perfect!!! Made me laugh😅
@anthonyelwick3600, that makes perfect sense. Thank you for the information.
It means clear water not sacred lake . Catahoula lake itself is sacred to "Chata" people @@anthonyelwick3600
Rescued a year old 70 lb. female not knowing what breed she was until a few days in found her 25 feet up in our tree. 11 years on and she’s been the most amazing animal I’ve ever seen. Her rescue sister, a Dutch Shepherd, is the perfect hunting partner for her-they are unstoppable and no fear.
As a person with Catahoula experience, I found your "non-expert" assessment to be quite astute! 💯
True Behaviorists are great for the formal Training industry at large.
I also endorse the claim that many, many people do NOT need/want this cool, cool-looking, breed!
Thank you!
I just got my first Catahoula she is working out to be the best farm dog I have ever had!!!
Very well said! I just found this video, he has me watching more!
My catahoula was a stray in Los Angeles and I drove down 100 miles to go rescue him. He's been the best guard dog and most loyal friend I've ever had. Big boy is about 120lb
I had a Catahoula back in the 1980’s in West Texas, ( I’d never even heard of one before that) he was the friendliest, bravest dog I ever had. ( I have had German Shephards and Dobermans) but my Catahoula would charge whole packs of Javelinas and coyotes. Super smart dogs.
My wife’s grandfather who lived in Abeline got me onto Catahoulas. I had never heard of them either! He said you should get one. Well we got two and he got the biggest kick out of that. They are truly special!
I found mine in Hammond, LA, she was 3 months old, and she’s everything Stonnie described. In an open field she goes after a jackrabbit until it lays down flat on the ground, at that point she’ll bark to let me know where she is, and I can literally pick it up by the ears. She never bites them, but she loves the chase. I live in S TX, so when temperatures are quite high she has to get in the water to drop body temperature, since we travel a lot, I noticed her preferred temperature is from the 30’s to the 60’s, but we have hiked in CO at 10F and she does just fine. On leash while on city streets, once we hit the field she’s on her own. Owning a Catahoula puts you as an owner on that very thin line between being a “responsible” owner or not. When at home, she stays inside the house, she truly needs to be where the family is, and since I found her she has never damaged anything, even when she’s alone. Of all the breeds I have had Catahoulas are the best for me.
Long time viewer, first time caller. This was particularly helpful for me. I have a young cattle dog, so plenty of different tendencies. But just in the past week I realized I needed to back off on heavy obedience work and just hike with him off leash and dial down obedience to a few short sessions a week. This kind of articulated what I was groping towards by trial and error. Thanks.
Ain’t it nice when Stonnie gives the OK to just enjoy your dogs?
@@C.Hawkshaw Yes, but it wasn't that so much as coming to realize that formal obedience was becoming a drag for him. He's 15 months, and I thought all the work was helping to tire him out. But it was just making him cranky - a lot of hanging out with me not so much fun. We're lucky to have a 5 mile hike nearby and I've just focused on that being the highlight of the day - doing some recall, down, stays whatever sprinkled through the hike. Seems to be really digging it and when he needs to be on the leash minding better.
Great video. I had a 90 lb Catahoula who lived to be 13. He was an AWESOME dog and was definitely everything Stonnie described. So well behaved, but independent athletic, and a squirrel hunting machine.
as a catahoula owner i enjoyed this. one thing also with the breed is that they were bred to think things out. i am on my second purebred catahoula - he is nalc. in between the two purebreds i had a catahoulaxaustralian shepherd cross. being in my mid-sixties getting the 2nd one [bleucat] i put a lot of thought into it. i know their energy level can be off the charts, plus if you are not actively hunting it is extremely hard to even find a breeder or even get one when you do find a breeder. and there are long waits for a puppy. bleucat is a grey leopard, little over 2 yrs old now. in fact 2 days ago made 2 yrs ago i brought him home at 8 weeks old and he was 16 lbs. i do not hunt anymore, but i have owned beef cattle and horses the majority of my life. what i have found also with this breed is that as long as you are the alpha, you do not need to be to physical in correcting this breed. i can hurt bleucat's feelings by raising my voice very loud. And there is a lot of repetitive work to reinforce what is expected of them. my motto also: not everyone needs a catahoula. his prey drive is also off the chain. again thank you for this video.
One of the best most fun dogs my family ever had was a catahoula/ Australian shepard. She was super smart and funny. She was great with people, but very alpha with the rest of the pack. All dogs trust came on the farm showed her their belly or bleed. They learned quick. She also was very protective of her pack and farm.
Love these breed specific videos! I value Stonnies opinions and perspectives. He confirms what I already know, plus so much more!
Your assessment is spot on. I had a red leopard catahoula from a breeder friend of mine here in South Louisiana. As a puppy she would heard my 3-year-old daughter back to me when she wandered in the front yard.
These dogs can do ANY hunting/farmwork. But they need lots of room to roam. They want to work. And they belong on a large piece of property.
I rescued a Catahoula a couple years ago and I knew NOTHING about the breed. I live in a rural area in Colorado, have horses and a Red Heeler that needed a companion. My farrier came to shoe my horses and he knows he is welcome to bring his dog to play with mine. As he unloads his dog, I see an another spotted dog come out also.
I maybe heard the “Catahoula” name and traits 40-50 times and that was when I lived in Northern Florida. I helped a rancher in Florida that would have to gather these ol’ swampy cattle. He’d let that dog loose and head run right into the cypress swamps and get to work. It was impressive and that was my first introduction to this breed.
My farrier let him out after asking me and I said sure. The dog came out and my heart sank! I could see every bone in his body. My farrier then explained the reason he had him and it wasn’t a nice story but he was going to change that for him. He knew my Aussie/Heeler female that I lost and this dog grabbed my heart as he came up to me with these sad but intelligent eyes. I asked him if he was going to just keep him and he told me that he couldn’t leave him in the home he was in but he said he was going to have to give him to someone. I blurted out to him, “heck, I’ll take him”!
I didn’t know his intelligence until I saddled up one day and took him to move cattle. WOW, he went about herding but also looking back to me to take commands. He knows his job, is kind to strangers, but will put himself between I and someone he’s never met. He is very protective, will do his job, load up into the truck and loves to see different areas and absolutely loves working.
He’s a very good addition to the pack and I’d definitely get others.
We accidentally adopted our Catahoula back in December. She was originally adopted in Louisiana at about 4 months old and her owner brought her to Utah. He wasnt good with her, he didnt like her so we asked for her and spent a few month's trying to find her a home. 8 month's later I'm trying to dumb her down she can just be a house dog. This video gave me several ideas on ways I can improve my ownership to meet her needs ❤
I love this type of video!
This isn't academic study of dogs, it's exposure to them, leading to real world dog knowledge and wisdom!
Thank you for your content Stonnie!
He sounds like he knows a lot dog behavior and has the ability to talk like regular people which needs more knowledge because he doesn’t repeating things in books or schools.
Thank you for raising awareness. So many just pick this Dog to HAVE IT! but these people can not provide the Life style this Dog needs. Having a Dog is a Lifestyle choice.
It's taken awhile, but my Catahoula leopard dog has almost gotten me trained. This is fastest growing, fastest running dog I've ever seen, coyotes don't have a chance, he literally runs them to ground.
I agree, They train us. haha Absolutely love this comment
Absolutely !!! They listen....when they want to....but take charge when you are being what they perceive as an "idiot". LOL We had some freaking racoons being a total menace to our camp and our neighbors camp. The kids were crying because the audacity of these coons. So I had to unleash Wilson. He freaking went after them. My camping neighbors were freaked out. They were like "they will kill a dog". I may have been taking some chances, but this scenerio has played out many times in our camping adventures. Wilson takes care of the coons. Never a scratch. No more coon problems. I think they talk....LOL
Love me a curr dog. I bred NALC Catahoulas for a decade. Everyone involved with the breed agrees that they aren't for everyone. They won't stick around if you aren't working them. You see a lot of bully breeds down here with leopard spots. One of my bloodlines had some harlequin Dane in it. Catahoulas have great noses but are "hot nosed" hounds. They wind as much as they track. You can't hurt them enough to correct them. They want to please you and you don't need to use harsh correction on them. I quit on them just because I am too old to hunt hogs any more.
You mention not being an expert on the breed a couple of times but your genuine reverence and the space you hold for the dogs to be as they are has led to in depth observations regarding the breeds personality characteristics, temperament, inclinations, engagement etc. Youre spot on with everything you have noted. This is the most accurate, in depth, and insightful video on the breed that ive seen and anyone thinking about selecting this breed as a companion should watch this video.
My boy is all of these things and hes taught me things like no other. Highly emotionally sensitive as you say with low tempermental resilience. Hard to keep motivated in regards to working in conjunction with handler. I can have great short obedience/work sessions with him, hes super intelligent and loves problem solving and the mental stimulation, but absolutely nothing is more rewarding than exploring the environment and tracking/hunting, in a very calculated way of course. So so nose driven and autonomy is certainly huge for him. The more i allowed him to be himself and do/show me the things he loved, the more he thrived and felt truly fulfilled. Our bond is like no other and a huge part of that is exactly due to what you mentioned- recognizing the lineage of the breed and what they were bred for and honoring that as well as the individuality of the dog in front of you. Much love and respect 🙏 🫶🏽 these dogs are truly seen by you
@stonnieDennis we loved the Catahoula episode…you nailed it. Little murder inside, independent, not for everyone, change is not your friend-this is ‘not normal’. Question: do you know about the catahoula lean?? Or unimpressed face? Very snuggly otherwise. And loves squirrels more than anything on the planet.
Definitely not for everyone. They have a lot of energy and take a lot of work.
You mean the lean of love? My girl does this. Her mother did the same thing but not the dad.
I got mine as a gift. Id never even heard of them. Ive always had German shepherds and Rottweilers. But the Catahoula beats them hands down. Easiest dog ive ever trained, highly intelligent, great with my grandchildren. And has literally saved my life on 2 occasions. Ill never own another breed again.
I dont know about others Catahoula but mine does have a lot of wolves personality traits.you discribed my loki perfectly.
Very Pack oriented....I have noticed that with mine. He wants to be with us ALL the time.
Yeah sometimes mine is TOO easy to train.. I'm running out of tricks to teach her!!
Are they good for apartments or do you need a house and big yard?
@@LooseBills you NEED to run this breed once a day or else it will not be good for either of you. so if you live near a big park or other fenced in area it's doable. but since it takes a while to train solid recall in this breed (they're very independent) would be challenging without a fenced yard. lots of other dog breeds tolerate apartments better.
The Catahoula is NOT a hound they are a bay dog. As a type of cur they are quiet on the trail and will bay and hold their livestock &/or wild game. Per the NALC standard: The Catahoula is independent, protective, and territorial. It may show aggressive behavior. Signs of timidity on a leash should not be taken as cowardice, but the intolerance for strangers.
Thank you!
What exactly does "cur" mean?
Trying to Google it, they pretty much just say it means mutt.
@@LifeLostSoul cur means dog.
@@marleri is it French? Or French Creole? Or have a meaning slightly different from just meaning dog? The way the OC is using the word they sound like it means something more than just dog.
Love it when dog trainers are honest about pits and pit adjacent breeds.
You just spoke my mind :)
4:50 facts
My mom had a friend with a female pit. She was always friendly and loving except when she had puppies. Then she turned into "Touch my puppies and I will end you."
@@sixter4157 Kind of like I was when I had babies :) My dogs don’t leave the grandbabies side when they nap either. They lay on the floor by the door until they wake up, the were once known as the nanny dog for a reason :)
@@SueTay. the nanny dog thing is a myth.
Thank you for this video. I learned a lot from it that I think is very applicable to my Black Mouth Cur, that I adopted. The breed was new to me but their behaviors are very similar to the Catahoula Leopard Dog. I've had other dog breeds, but this is my first scent hound, general farm dog breed. I'm learning that she's very smart, very aware and wants nothing more than to engage with the world around her. I think knowing about a breed and understanding its needs and motivations is critical to not only being able to train it, but also in giving it a good life and having a good relationship with it that is mutually beneficial. Thanks for doing what you do so well and sharing it freely here with others. Maggie & I appreciate it greatly!
Essentially the same breed. Solid colored Catahoulas are often sold as black mouth currs.
I do trail maintenance and have always gone out with a dog. I bought a ‘Texas Heeler’ pup . And soon figured out she was ‘different.’ Not totally sure of her breed but she is excellent during trail work. Doesn’t chase deer or small animals but she has my back if we come across a bear. She usually runs around while I’m working. Once I got off trail and started to wander. She was 1 year old and got me back on the trail. Dogs are truly amazing animals.
My grandson has a catahoula my icon. Its been raised on a farmette. Shes 1 yr old but the property has 3 family homes on it. Last summer we sat on the porch watching trixie heard 1 cow at a time into the pond area. It was really amazing i fell in love with her too.
I have a Black Mouth Cur/catahoula mix and she's all of these things. Super athletic, no real off leash issues, very strong, but also VERY sensitive. She has a high prey drive and is very much a slave to her nose. I describe our relationship as "roommates"; sometimes. We like to be around each other but she kind of just orbits around me when I do things.
my boy Tobi is similar. I always say we are in a 'relationship' rather than 'ownership' situation
A good friend of mine bred them in the 90's on their family ranch in Florida. They used them for cattle dogs and were not to be approached if they didn't know you. Spooky intelligent yet 'primitive' in many ways if that makes any sense, loved them since then.
I have a 2 year old and your comment about them being "spooky intelligent" caught my eye. This dog doesn't miss much. We describe him to be like the Velociraptors depicted in Jurassic Park. He has figured out how to open most doors unless they have a traditional Knob handle. And when he looks at something, especially when he watches you, you can tell he is working it out. HA
This is totally off-topic, but very relevant to your training videos… Day before yesterday I took my little Feist dog for a walk. On the way home very large, solid white fully intact male pitbull came running at us. AGRESSIVELY. He didn’t seem friendly… So I became the leader and stepped in front of Riker, and yelled no at the dog. He stopped dead his tracks. My heart was pounding a mile a minute, and I had to reinforce with a very firm voice more than one time before he decided to move along. I have walked Riker daily and presented her with as many small dog adventures as I possibly could. From creating my own obstacle course in my neighborhood by jumping over large rocks and benches to simple leash manners. Your training paid off, my little dog sat there and let me handle the whole thing without making a peep when told to wait. She doesn’t rush the door, she knows all of your vocabulary… Some days better than others. She is only a year and a half old after all. lol. But I found myself thinking thank goodness for Stonnie Dennis and his training style. It worked for me and my dog and I cannot even imagine how that episode would’ve escalated if Riker had been a freak on the end of that leashwhile I was trying to fend off that large dog. I have raised a very confident well mannered little girl. Thank you so much for your free content as I cannot afford to bring Riker to Lexington L O L you are awesome and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I must agree with you wholeheartedly to pick the right breed and my expectations are being met as a result for us on a daily basis. Thank you from Marsha and Riker (my number one #iykyk) the Fiest mix.
Perfect, i do wish more people would think long and hard before selecting a particular breed, unfortunately so many pick a dog because of what it looks like, or how they think it makes them look. As a new dog owner with a Terrier I knew exactly what i was getting. I have had cats for many many years so having a dog who wasnt 100% subservient with a bit of attitude and a mind of his own wasnt an issue for me. Having a dog that was ball obsessed or stick obsessed would drive me bananas 🤪 so okay sometimes he will turn a deaf ear, and he is no velcro dog, but i can honestly say he is amazing. He is well mannered and not barky. I knew what i was getting, i made that choice and he suits me very well.
I just lost my Catahoula/Pit mix of 15 years. Most amazing dog I ever had. Immensely loyal, protective, emotional, intelligent, obedient, and lived to please her owner. Very much a one owner/family dog and she wouldn't dream of leaving my sight ever.I adopted her when she was about a year old after she had been used as a bait dog. We had a lot of amazing adventures together. Amazingly athletic and she actually loved playing in snow! Never once saw her bothered by cold weather and would have to nearly drag her inside. Hated farm animals though lol.
You are spot on with most of the things you have pointed out...I new nothing about catahoolas until I got my Ruby....she has been trained as my asistance dog...you guys call it a service dog....it has been a Chalange...but she has turned out to be perfect...she alerts to many thing ...some things we didn't expect....she is very protective of me and has changed my life for the better
Got to warn you when they reach full maturity, they become very protective. I knew of a lady who had one and she was in a wheel chair. The dog had been trained to pick up things for her (fetching isn't a catahoula trait generally) and to go get help if she fell down. I warned her the older her dog gets, the more protective he would get. The lady fell in a public space and for some reason her dog turned on and wouldn't let anyone approach her. The dog had to be put down by the police for safety reasons. The dog was either 5 or 6 years of age. Even the tribe who the catahoula came from will tell you they do not make good service dogs at all. What I suspect you may have is an Australian shepherd mix that came out with short hair.
You should make “That’s a fine animal” merch! Id buy that!
As always, your breed insights are invaluable Stonnie.
Great video, as an owner of several Catahoulas you did very well describing them. I adore mine .
I just adopted a 4 month pup ..your opinion is solid! Really appreciate the time you explained everything. !
The Catahoula’s temperment and size appears very similar to my Plott (hound). We did not do a good job of socializing him when he was young so he tends to be aggressive towards other dogs and strangers. Since I retired 8 months ago I’ve been taking him for long walks through wooded areas. When we first started the dog became agitated on encountering another walker but he was obedient in coming to my side and settling down. The exception was when we encountered another dog that showed aggression. I had to pull him away from that situation quickly.
Now, after 7 months walking almost every day he show absolutely no aggression toward other people or docile dogs while we’re away from home. He’s still very territorial in our yard and barks or bays at other dogs or people who get too close. The dog is 5 years old now; is very sweet and obedient with my wife and me.
My terrier is the most inquisitive heartbeat on the planet, and I love that about her, but it means she is always under foot trying to understand and learn what i am doing. Everything takes 3x longer than necessary. My devotion to her has forced me to slow down and be aware of my own frustration levels. Dogs teach us that not all things are for all people. That Lab is amazing, but he would drive me insane. 😂 ... and a Lab saved me from drowning. The humans didn't realize I was drowning, but the yellow Lab did.
I’m from Louisiana and knew folk with these dogs. They were never fenced or indoors. Just a plain old yard dog that did their own thing. Us kids didn’t even pay them no mind.
Oui , verite mes ami .
That is some wisdom right there at 23 minutes, thanks Stonnie.
My dad had a Catahoula leopard dog named Hank also. Great dog.
First time watching, my mom's family is in Louisiana and I love dogs, and thought I'd settle in. I enjoyed this very much. The biggest point that people should understand is these serious working dogs are good at their jobs because they've been bred for independent thinking. But that means you have to be willing to call them and have them not come immediately. My husb was very frustrated by the Great Pyr we rescued and rehomed to a working environment. I was put in mind of a guy I saw once at a large, public, offleash park. He became enraged that his (large working type) dog wouldn't respond to his demands, and he obviously was embarrassed and ego hurt. Really having a tantrum. All I could feel was sadness for the dog who was just having fun being himself. So yes please these working dogs should never be held by city dwellers where the dogs have limited outdoor access, but even folks in the country who want a companion, I question. And honestly if they don't have appropriate outlets they'll make them up and you wont like their creative efforts. So i believe in your teaching and method, you seem super knowledgeable about shaping behaviors in the right windows. Great stuff!
I rescued a Catahoula/Pit at 9 months old 3 years ago from Dallas Animal Shelter, think Catahoula with short legs! He is the best dog I have ever had, but I make sure he gets lots of exercise and gets to sniff out the world on our walks and adventures, and I am mentally strong with him as he is a bit headstrong, but have never had to physically discipline him and when I have raised my voice to him , he is heartbroken so I always remember that. We have made multiple road trips from Texas to California and one night I stopped for gas and there was an issue with the gas pump. As the attendant was approaching the back side of my SUV, my boy started growling this deep throaty growl, (no bark) that I had not heard before. The attendant backed right up even though the window was only open a crack. In the three years I have had my boy, I have only heard this type of growl 5 times, and each time was when we were outside at night and it was an unknown man was approaching me, he never barked just the growl was always enough to voice the warning. Have had multiple unknown men come into the house, plumber, AC man etc and he is fine as long as I tell him it’s ok. His favorite thing to do when at home is sniff the fence line of the back yard and lie in wait for the squirrels to run along the fence snarking at him as they go, and lying on the front porch with his stuffed “lambchop” in the sun watching the world go by. He does go to doggy day care when I have to go into the office and will not stop playing long enough to be taken away from the play yard to eat. He comes home exhausted and hungry ❤He also has an obsession with cats, as all he really wants to do is clean them head to toe. One day I found him laying on his belly in the backyard with a rabbit between his front paws licking the poor thing to the point it had a Mohawk, not a scratch or puncture on the rabbit when I saved him from my boy’s extremely long tongue! He is by far the best dog I have ever had❤❤❤
I live in TN, and a 12 week old male Catahoula just walked onto my property 2 days ago. He is so sweet!!!
Had one…best dog ever! ( yes, very sensitive)….VERY SMART! Independent. Miss her terribly….still on my phone 5 years later.
I like this video so much I'm watching it again. I have a golden retriever, but he's not much like he's supposed to be! Definitely not a velcro dog! He's very nose driven like this guy. He runs ahead but always comes back on his own or when I Whistle .He instinctively points, even to go out of the house. , toys under the couch etc... He is very sensitive like a pointer. Chase's butterflies and blowing leaves like a German shorthaired. His parents are hunting dogs, not the "chubby" kind. So a lot of retriever literature doesn't seem to apply. I get nervous when I can't see or hear him for a few minutes in the woods so I have resolved to put a GPS tracker on him.
Having said all that that, he's very well-behaved in restaurants , stores and in my house.
I'm teaching him" go find" my phone, kong, squeaky.... hopefully this satisfies his need to hunt. This is definitely his area of expertise
I have two just got my second one in June. I'm service training the pup. She's amazing.
Catahoula coat length or lack there of is of the most minimalist importance in all honesty. I live in Wisconsin and have a 2 year old Catahoula who I have wear a pretty heavy duty carhart jacket in winter. And with how high energy they are and non stop moving around and running they regulate their body temperature pretty well. Definitely does need a coat in the winter though.
Never heard of the breed till i rescued one, she is the biggest PIA, never listens,argues, stubborn. .love her to death, and been with her 24/7, on 4 years...my best running buddy, for service connected PTSD
My dad had one for some strange reason. I was in Denver because I moved away for awhile, and he was still in Shreveport living by himself. My pops pretty much only drinks Jim Bean watches TV, goes to the grocery once a week, and eats out sometimes. My dad had to crack the back door, throw his food dish out, and shut the door as quick as he could. The dog ate the ceiling fan on the back porch, and I asked him "What the hell did you think you are doing keeping that dog? He's so bored, he might actually explode or spontaneously combust! You're the most inoperative person I know and he will not motivate you to be active enough for him or even active at all. Find him somewhere else to live so he can live life!" Dad set him up with a guy who was in college with a lot of roommates and that dog fit right in. He checks on him every now and then and the dog is doing well.
Hank recognized that you called him and chose to do something else. But no name ❤ he comes immediately
It was very interesting listening to you explain a typical Catahoula’s disposition/behavior/tendencies as it caused me to think about my mixed breed rescue again…as far as how I try to explain him to others. Anyone who loves dogs loves him, because he’s very handsome and typically quite good with people. However, and this is why I am a very big proponent for the rare GOOD/ETHICAL purebred breeder:
Yes, it is very rewarding to rescue/adopt and sometimes there are pure breeds available for adoption, but usually they are a mix, as is with my case. The mixed breed/mutts can be some of the best dogs, but many times, it’s a huge guessing game as far as how they are going to turn out/behave as it’s harder to know what breed(s) may manifest the most. According to Embark, my mix rescue is
35.3% American Staffordshire Terrier
28.0% American Pit Bull Terrier
20.2% Chow Chow
7.3% Pembroke Welsh Corgi
3.8% German Shepherd Dog
5.4% Supermutt
He acts pretty much like a hound…nose always to the ground. Walks are “sniffs” more than walks as he has to smell everything. He is insanely stubborn, selfish, does not care one bit what I want him to do, will plant his feet and stand like a statue if there is something he wants to see/smell, and if he does not get what he wants when he wants it, he sulks. Very clearly sulks and does the exaggerated heavy sigh. Likes to feel sorry for himself even when he’s been naughty. Super high tolerance to pain. If he’s been in a scuffle with another dog, he has no idea if he’s been hurt or not. However, with that, he also shows No REMORSE if he harms another. He is very powerful and the lack of remorse and selfishness is a huge concern to me. With all that said, this is why I’m going back to my initial statement on the value of purebreds (ones bred very well….I do not support backyard/puppy mill/solely money hungry breeders with minimal experience, etc). I love my rescue dog very, very much, but I would never adopt any of his main breeds or particular mix again. I much prefer devoted, loyal, responsive, generally more predictable dogs, active - even high drive as you know what they need right off the bat. With mixes, you just have no idea what you’re getting. But with his mix especially, he makes a good social family dog (with supervision since he is strong/powerful and lacks empathy or quite frankly sense sometimes), but not a great “loyal best friend” who will show respect and devotion.
Like you, I like the idea of rescuing a dog but have not always had good experiences with it . I thought I'd hedge my bets by getting a purebred Golden Retriever. Whilel I wouldn't say he's nothing like the breed standard , he's definitely very high energy and has his own personality. His nose to the ground on walks and constantly running ahead in the woods. He is however trustworthy with my chickens, or more correctly his chickens! And he loves to retrieve, loves to swim.. .
He's very obedient when he knows what I want. I think sometimes he's so focused on what he's doing he doesn't hear me. three toots on a referee whistle is better than shouting "come", which he knows perfectly well in less distracting environments.
Even though all dogs have their own personality I would definitely agree a rescue of mixed breed and unknown history is much more challenging then getting a purebred puppy
I'm learning a whole lot from this video and I appreciate it. Pure gold.
𝗜 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁
Agree 100%. The happiest my dogs ever were was on our farm (South Africa), & I loved seeing them so happy .
Thank you for your time and your honesty.
Minnie from Casabelle Catahoulas will be on the way to my Kansas farm April 5th!!!!!
I just got a 9 wk old female catahoula lab mix. She’s blue silver brindle absolutely gorgeous and SMART!
I feel blessed
🐾🐾❤️👣
I have a 5 month old Catahoula and I’m trying to train him it isn’t easy but very much enjoying the challenge
I adopted one from a rescue in Florida January 31st 2024, he is the bestest boy I ever had, so gentle with my two Labradors. He is just over a year old and in training, he's stunning to look at, just look at my picture. Amazing dog 😻
I've been raising the breed for close to 30 years. They do not have pit bull in them at all or any hound in them either. What they do resemble is a muscular dog with drop ears. They have a tendency to be hot nosed which means they do air trailing instead of on the ground because they're so smart they don't wanna waste time sniffing the ground unless you got a pup from the old timers who bred their dogs to be cold nosed. I can only attest of maybe 2 guys who breed for the cold nose trait because of where they live, hogs are far and few in between. In Louisiana, hogs are pretty much everywhere so they really do not have to work so hard to track them. They come in solid colors and they work JUST THE SAME as the leopard ones which is irritating to me. People would often try to buy my leopard pups first and I would end up stuck with solid colored ones but one time I ended up selling all the solid colored ones and having leopard marked ones left over which was nice!
I've not watched the whole video yet but I will. What I can tell you is catahoulas radically change upon full maturity which tends to be age 2 to 3 years of age with some turning on at age 4. What happens is they become very dog selective. Doesn't really mater if you heavily socialized the dog or not. Also doesn't matter if they're spayed/neutered...it's just a breed trait. I'm having to run 2 separate packs due to this and due to the fact my wife won't let me sell the ones that don't like the others. If I lived out in the country, it would be much more manageable due to more space. Lots of catahoula breeders will attempt to sell 2 pups together. Please don't buy from those breeders. City folks are guilty of this. The breed can be prone to Littermate Syndrome which means people will kennel them together, feed them together, play with them together etc.....that's the worse thing you could do to a catahoula. Rural folks tend to know that they need separate kennels, separate feeding areas, etc and it includes training them separately.
With trying to train them on cattle or hogs, they're one of the few breeds who actively learn from each other. Get an experienced catahoula to show your pup what to do and then you can start adding commands what to do after the pup starts barking at the cow or hog. The experienced dog will bump the pup into position and go from there. Mothers are famous for teaching their pups how to hunt. What they will do is grab a pup's front leg and gently flip them over and gradually the pups start doing it to each other. That's how they stop feral hogs from running. Some breeders start them really young which I disagree with because it can cause the pup to burn out later on but I would trust only 1 or 2 breeders with turning on the pups properly. Too many get ruined for life. I tend to wait until my pups start barking at strangers or wild animals which tends to be around 8 to 10 months of age. I will mess around with your usual training commands like sit, stay, etc....before I start them on anything else.
Some bloodlines are known to have pups produced that are extremely submissive to the point they're crawling on the ground and it makes other people think you beat your dog. No, it's a breed trait and yes, it can be bred away from! The good thing is if you've got a pup that's submissive, chances are very high they won't be stolen because they will bite strangers attempting to steal them.
Oh one more thing! Many animal shelters are attempting to label merle short haired dogs as catahoulas in order to make them sound more exotic therefore they would get them new homes. If you didn't buy the pup/dog from a breeder or someone who has other catahoulas, chances are very high you were duped into buying/getting a dog that isn't behaviorally a catahoula.
My Catahoula is the same age as Hank. She's just as independent yet reliably attached to me. Her recall is brilliant but her on leash walking is a work in progress. Nose always on the ground! 😅
do they ever walk without a nose on the ground?? mine is 2 yrs old. and is the same!
Love this! Agree with the guy who commented on your 100% "non-expertise." You totally are an expert. I have a half catahoula and half Aussie. She was 7 months old when I got her 3 years ago. She was basically crated because they couldn't handle her. She was socialized with 2 other dogs and cats during that time so I am glad about that. She is fine with all my cats. I live on 2 acres and also have access to several acres of timber behind me. We go on lots of hikes and adventures. I take her camping and hiking a lot. One thing not mentioned is how much this breed loves water and their webbed feet. Mine has never climbed up a tree, but I do say how she is like a goat. She LOVES the wood pile. And yes they will do commands but they do act put out and too good for things not on their list to do. We live on a busy road and I trained her with a GPS collar and now I only put it on her when I leave. She is 100% outside dog but does great in the camper. Mine is not territorial, but as soon as dusk hits and we are not home or a ysual place she is on guard. Mine is in the middle of everything I do as if she is studdying and learning how to do it if I am not around. She is really good about abandoning her interests to come when I call. The more familiar the area the farther she will go on her own but is never too far and always comes and finds me or is watching me. She just wants to be wherever I am. Oh and she is a forager and cd survive on her own. I love how you sd people don't get it anymore and panic about what dogs eat. There are still "real" dogs and a catahoula is one of them. She never eats stupid things like plastic or toys, but she will eat any bone she finds, nuts, seeds, corn, snails...
I cd go on and on about how good your video was. Thank you. My family says she is me in dog form hyper, doesn't like to be bossed and a bit stubborn and wants lots of attention 😂
You’re absolutely right about the autonomy.
Mine will play and hangout with me but when he’s done that’s it.
He goes off and nothing I can do will lure him back.
He hits the woods and he’s gone to do his own thing.
My 12 year old female is like that but my 9 month old puppy lives in my pocket lol
Nice pup and wonderful play/training area! Thanks
I grew up raising and hunting catahoulas. Converted to Labrador shadow worshipers. Thanks for making me miss my catahoulas!
Beautiful intro to this unique breed. Our Alapaha bulldogs have a little Catahoula in them and you can see how it's affected their sensory ability - amazing tracking. They are tough...but sensitive - how they are treated and trained by owner. Great general purpose farm/ranch dogs - natural property protector, livestock protection, hog hunting and just having fun - going fly fishing, hiking and hanging out as you are doing work on the property etc. They are very interested in what you are doing. And you hit it in the target - they are so intuitive.
I love your breed reviews! All the other reviews cover their origins, colours, temperment, and grooming needs but rarely talk about what to actually expect to experience in real life day-in day-out. Hank is one lucky dog to get to hang out with Stonie all day 🥳
Can you review the Jack Russell and the Corgi. City folks seriously underestimate those breeds and get them at condo dogs.
man you aren't kidding when you said a Catahoula cur can be a little hard to live with but they are extremely intelligent and ready to please their person . my 2yr. old male never leaves my side and doesn't go more than 30ft. from me he is my trail buddy /lapdog .
We have a 2yr old female. She notices everything! Ceiling fan on or off, new plants, anything being moved. She is very protective of our grandchildren. Let them holler or cry and she is checking on them.
Best dog I ever had
I flat out laughed at that big stick hank thought was a good idea 😂
I live in Iowa and mine is outide, but she does have a heated house. She does just fine in the winter and if I am out in the cold so is she. She shivers a bit at first, but then she is fine and running about having a great time. She loves playing in the snow. I do have to feed her a ton to put any weight on her for the winter.
Great insight to the breed, a real asset to those who want the best suited dog for their actual activities.
Reminds me of my Springer
I had a catahoula and Rhodesian mix that I spent everyday with for a year. Bruno was the best dog I ever had. He would even try to talk to me by making sounds that mimiced human sounds.
I rescued mine when he was a puppy, he is great with kids and he was great with my cat too. He is very sweet. I’ve never ever had a dog like him. ❤
Love this, thank you.
Just adopted a catahoula rescue, last dog was a pit with a very different personality. Gearing up for the adjustment!
I have a 8 month old catahoula leaped as my first dog at 22 and I was very scared. I put a lot of thought into what I wanted though so I wasn’t going to back down. After working with a trainer I’ve gotten her recall down and sit and lay down, just to calm her down from the over stimulation. I’ve also worked very hard to get the first command to be the command she responds too and she does great. That’s about the only thing I would say I need. I take her everywhere off leash and she has been trained to stay in front of me on walks and not go too far. She is also my truck dog and she goes literally everywhere with me
outstanding video so much knowledge . You are a great dog owner and a dog's best friend. Thanks for keeping it real.
As if I didn't like Uncle Stonnie enough already, he went and pulled out the Milwaukee!
He catalogues the day to day and understands what’s a dangerous situation
I've been watching the judging of UKC most the day. Catahoula Leopard Dogs are so lovely.
I brought mine to work at a rehab facility last week and she did amazing with all my patients at 2 years old! Only issue was getting into the garbage!
My favourite Alaskan homesteaders have got an elderly one. 1st time I'd ever seen one. Beautiful.
I just had (mom)catahoula pitbull miniature husky (dad)Belgian malinois shepherd mixed puppies their almost 15 weeks way bigger than I expected but we’re so in love when them. Full of energy and very smart. Very loving and loyal from birth. But they definitely need their space to be alone when they want to. Best dogs ever. Very over protective and I feel so safe walking them alone. Even the puppies are over protective with their little barks. Thanks for your video
I never knew what a Catahoula was until I rescued my dog as a puppy. Had no idea her breed until someone mentioned “catahoula.” And she matches your breed description so well... very independent, intelligent, curious. She’s the best❤
You're description is spot on, my catahoula loves his people, doesnt love obedience training, but is the best dog he does his own thing during the day and is my shadow during the evening. One night someone broke into our shed i didnt realize this was happening and let the dog outside 30 seconds later i heard screaming so i ran out and he had the guy up the privacy fence clamped on his foot until the cops came.
I've owned two pit bulls, trained dozens, to the point of your questioning if they have some in them. They're extremely boisterous dogs, the terrier in them really brings out a prey drive and depending on the animal it's one that can be managed, but never controlled. Incredibly stoic animals, but if you've not owned one past the age of about 4 - 6 years you'll think they're absolutely finicky animals. They really calm down with age (like all dogs.) The terrier in them, again, makes them stubborn dogs. Definitely not a good first time dog if this dog has any pit bull in it. They require a highly experienced handler with at least some education in animal behavior and obedience. Fantastic companion dogs when they're appropriately socialized and trained, though.
I adopted a dog listed as a boxer mix 9 days ago. She has some pretty unique features and I just realized that catahoula breed might be what she's mixed with, and this video is convincing me even more. Her ears fall back. She has a white nose and spotted paws but her coat is brindle. I find her much harder to train than my cattle dog. She's also the only dog I've seen jump 5ft and climb on the counter tops. She can also bully/tease my cattle dogs despite being leaner and 10lbs lighter. On the flip side she's a bit more affectionate than my cattledog.
Great video,Thank you! My husband and I thought we were adopting a huskie pit mix, but he definitely seems more and more every day like a Catahoula mix breed. Every description of his character you have noted to the T. We have also separated, and my husband has not been able to re-home him so I am taking him to my new mountain home with lots of hiking and trails for his curiosity and activity level. This puts my mind at ease a great deal knowing how I can negotiate with him in his new home with me.
I think I’m in love with No Name
I had 2 Catahohla mixed breeds for 15 years each. When I got my first one I learned much. But both were dedicated family dogs and each lived
15 years.
I also had a Norwegian Elkhound in college for years
Thanks for the video. The dog you are walking through the obstacle coarse has such a loving demeanor, it was licking (kissing) your hand as you talked. It does not look like a breed that would be vicious.
I am 74 and have always had dogs. When I was three years old my father was transferred to Elmendorf AFB Alaska. While there, he brought home a pup that was half Wolf and half husky, we called Wolf. The mother was killed at the base. We had Wolf for two years until my father was transferred to Sacramento California. I played with him all the time and he got along with our family and our other dog a small Boston Bull. Wolf was very large and could put his paws on my 6" tall fathers shoulders and look at him face to face. When we left Alaska we left Wolf with a lady that wanted him for her 3 dog sled racing team. We went to visit him right before we left Alaska and he was in a very large fenced in area with a bunch of other sled dogs.
People go nuts once in a while so it is only reasonable to think that a dog could go nuts too. If a dog goes nuts, they could be dangerous and would have to be helped or put down.
It is one thing to train an aggressive dog and another thing to try to train a dog that has gone nuts. Check out some of the dog trainers that take dogs that are acting aggressive and trying to bite people. Some of them can take a dog that is trying to bite them and bring the dog into control. One of them that amazes me is the "Dog Daddy".
Very rarely do I see information of a dog that I do not know user I’ve just in lightened me today. Thank you.
My dad's Catahoula would crawl through the electric fence yipping the whole time. Then he'd run the hills for a while and a few hours later come back crawl back through the electric fence yipping again.
I had one in the 90's, smartest dog, well trained and very protective.
I had a horse that had a registered name of "Catahoula Creek". Never knew that was a breed until 10 years later when I met a rancher with a few Catahoulas. From that point on I was intrigued. It wasn't until about 15 years later I acquired my first Catahoula blue leopard that was 5 mos old. I still have her 12 years later. I also own another purebred Catahoula female that is deaf, and two male Catahoula crosses. They are amazing dogs, but they ARE NOT for the average dog owner. I stress that to many people that comment about them or become intrigued simply by the name. They are FEROCIOUS guard dogs which I love, but not easy to handle. The word I always use for them is "primitive". They are so smart that it seems daily you have to establish who is in charge. They are very head strong. And agreed...they are very tough and yes...they do get their feelings hurt. My older female Catahoula and I go toe to toe many times, and then she will just dismiss me until we "make up". I swear she understands every word I am saying! Thank you for this video, and showcasing the characteristics of this truly unique breed.
“If you’re actually doing anything interesting in your life” 😂😂😂 thanks for the great laugh and another great video Stonnie!
45 years ago I bought a pit bull from Ft Myers’s and its family was used to hunt wild boar he was a wonderful dog and I sold many pups from him I also ran across the Catahoula leopard dog that was used in conjunction with the pit bull to hunt these wild boar they were known for there loud bark. I think I saw where your in Kentucky I live in Lexington.
Again, no they do not have pit bull in them. Full stop.
I wish they were for me. They are beautiful, smart and so soft.