The Catahoula leopard dog is a prized working woof and a certified showstopper, thanks to her potential rainbow of coat and eye colors. Many folks love this gorgeous girl in her purebred form, but many Catahoula leopard dog mixes are in need of homes, too.
Below, we’ll share some of the coolest Catahoula leopard dog mixes, information about each combo canine to help you decide if they’re a good match for you, and facts about this beautiful breed.
Catahoula Leopard Dog Basics
Before exploring our favorite mixes, let’s meet the parent breed we’re focusing on today: the Catahoula leopard dog. After all, you must get to know this colorful cutie before bringing home any of these blended barkers.
History of the Catahoula Leopard Dog
Hailing from Louisiana, this unique-looking pup gets her name from the Choctaw word for “sacred lake.”. And if you’re stumped on how to say it, the word is pronounced: “cat-ah-who-lah.” Easy, right?
The Catahoula leopard dog dates back to the 1700s when she started as a multi-use farm dog responsible for everything from hunting boars to protecting the homestead. The breed’s exact lineage is a mystery, but most point to the Beauceron as a potential piece of the recipe.
Regardless of which woofs make her up, the result is a well-muscled, confident woofer capable of handling a variety of tasks. Today, she’s a favorite for hunting, herding, guarding, and more.
Other names for the breed include the Catahoula hog dog and Catahoula cur.
The Catahoula Leopard Dog’s Appearance
The Catahoula leopard dog ranges from 22 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder and can weigh between 50 and 95 pounds. This puts her in the medium to large-breed category.
Knowing the size of your pooch’s parents is helpful, as pups estimated to weigh more than 70 pounds in adulthood should be fed large-breed puppy food to ensure proper growth. If you’re unsure which food’s appropriate for your Catahoula puppy, ask your vet for a recommendation.
This woof has a solid, muscular frame, a deep chest, and a large head with dropped ears. Interestingly, she has webbed feet, a trait seen in water dogs like Newfoundlands and retrievers. She also has a long tail that can be whip-like when excited, so steer clear of her hind end when it’s wagging!
The Catahoula leopard dog’s short coat comes in a whopping ten colors, including red merle, brindle, and chocolate, plus two coat details: tan markings and white trim. It isn’t rare to see these incredible pups with a quilt-like coat made of splotches of white, gray, brown, and more!
The Catahoula Leopard Dog’s Temperament & Personality
The Catahoula is a hard-working girl at heart, carrying many farm dog characteristics to this day, including a knack for independent problem-solving, a strong prey drive, and lots of energy. This can work well with certain households, but the average Joe or Joanne may find this multi-talented mutt too much to handle. Daily physical and mental exercise are musts, preferably involving a job.
This beauty was tasked with watchdog duty around the farm, giving her an inherent aloofness with strangers. While this makes her an amazing alarm bell for suspicious activity, it also means your dog won’t welcome everyone with a tail wag. Special care is needed with socialization to ensure she doesn’t become anxious or aggressive around strangers.
Similar to her attitude about strangers, the Catahoula isn’t the social butterfly of the dog world. She can coexist with other pups in her family with a proper introduction, but she’s most likely not a good match for visiting the local dog park.
She’s not the best choice for households with small kids, either. While sometimes playful and affectionate, more often than not, she prefers time to herself, which doesn’t match up well with play-happy kiddos. That said, Catahoulas who grow up with children around are known to be protective.
Training a Catahoula Leopard Dog
The Catahoula is intelligent but independent, making training her a mixed bag. While she’s somewhat quick to pick up new commands, she needs an experienced pet parent with patience, perseverance, and, most importantly, creative methods, as she bores easily with repetition. She may occasionally push boundaries, too, deciding to do her own thing — even in the middle of training!
Never use aversive punishment with her. Not only will this damage her sensitive spirit, but it can also set you back in training as she loses trust in you. Instead, reward her with training treats and praise for a job well done, and strengthen your bond through dog training games.
Catahoula Leopard Dog Grooming Needs
Maintaining your Catahoula’s natural good looks is a breeze, as this short-coated cutie only needs occasional brushing to remove loose hair and debris from romping around through the brush. While she sheds a moderate amount, it’s not as overwhelming as an onslaught of Rottie or Lab fuzz around the house.
Bathe this pretty pup as needed and regularly trim her nails, clean her ears, and brush her teeth to keep her looking and feeling her best. We also recommend checking for brambles between her toes if she frequents wooded areas.
Health Concerns of Catahoula Leopard Dogs
The Catahoula is a relatively healthy pooch, but there are things to watch for, including the standard joint issues seen in large-size Rovers, like hip dysplasia. The breed is also predisposed to deafness and eye problems, including blindness, cataracts, and microphthalmia (a condition in which the eyes are abnormally small).
As a potential carrier of the merle gene, double merle Catahoulas are a possibility. Double merle pups often have severe eye issues and may even be deaf. Double merle dogs can be more at risk of sunburn on white patches of fur and the nose as well, requiring special care during high sun hours, including dog-safe sunscreen.
Purchasing your pup from an ethical, good dog breeder is the best way to ensure you have a happy, healthy Catahoula puppy.
19 Great Catahoula Leopard Dog Mixes!
Now that we’ve met the star of these cute combinations, we can dig into popular (and not-so-popular) Catahoula leopard dog mixes. Let’s see what cool canines we’ve uncovered.
1. Catahoula Leopard Dog x German Shepherd
This pup will likely be a medium to large-sized beauty, as shepherds come in over 65 pounds and Catahoulas north of 50. You’ll want to start obedience training early to get her started on the right paw at this size. Switch up your routines and keep things fun with dog training toys, too, as she has the potential to be one smart cookie with her pupper pedigree. While the Catahoula is usually an independent pooch, the German shepherd is the opposite, preferring a spot at her favorite person’s side over anywhere else. This shadow-like behavior can be nice if you work from home, but if you’re away for long hours and your dog is alone, separation anxiety may creep in, possibly leading to destructive chewing or excessive barking.
Want more GSD combos? Check out our complete guide to German shepherd mixes!
2. Catahoula Leopard Dog x Rottweiler
What a good-looking doggo! This ruffer is potentially one of the most loyal pups on our list since Rotties and Catahoulas are legendary for their devotion to their people. Watchdog abilities are a good probability with this pupper, too, so expect her to alert you to perceived intruders – even squirrels. Now that’s a hardworking woof!
Considering the size of her parents, this will be a large, powerful pooch, making early training in obedience and skills like loose leash walking vital for controlling her once she’s fully grown. Positive reinforcement dog training works best, as this big beauty is surprisingly sensitive despite her tough girl look.
3. Catahoula Leopard Dog x Labrador Retriever
Did you say ball? This pooch’sretriever side may leave her obsessed with fetch toys. If that’s the case, a ball launcher can lend a helping hand; otherwise, your throwing arm might turn into a spaghetti noodle. Even if this floof isn’t a fetch fiend, she needs daily physical and mental exercise, as both breeds are smart and energetic.
Personality-wise, this cute canine can be on the clingy side if she takes after her Lab parent since Labs are a Velcro dog breed. On the other hand, she might be more independent, as Catahoulas don’t mind doing their own thing. Either way, start her training early and use treats as motivation, just in case she’s on the stubborn side.
Love Labrador retrievers? Check out some more adorable Lab mixes!
4. Catahoula Leopard Dog x Bluetick Coonhound
Stubborn² should be the name of this mixed mutt, as both the Catahoula and coonhound are known to be hardheaded. That doesn’t mean this pooch won’t be smart, but rather that she’s more likely to follow her itinerary than yours. Fun, reward-based training is a must with her. You shouldn’t trust her off-leash beyond the yard, either, as she’s prone to following her nose.
This pup is a poor choice for apartment life, as coonhounds are among the most vocal dog breeds, and they’re famous for baying up a storm when excited, scared, mad, or, well, just because. While noisy, this is a natural behavior for coonhounds and coonhound mixes, so let her sing when appropriate. This is her way of expressing herself!
5. Catahoula Leopard Dog x Doberman Pinscher
Double the working woof means this pup’s likely to be driven and focused, whether on fun, doggy duties, or chasing down perceived prey. All that energy needs an outlet, so challenge this cutie regularly to prevent destructive behaviors from creeping up. Long, daily walks or hikes can help, with canine sports like Schutzhund and agility also right up her alley.
Early obedience training and socialization are paramount in helping this pupper put her best paw forward. While she can be brainy, she can also be bossy, sometimes deciding it’s her way or the highway regarding your commands. For this reason, she’s not recommended for newbie dog parents.
Check out some more adorable Dobie mixes!
6. Catahoula Leopard Dog x Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Muscles aren’t likely to be lacking in this powerful princess, nor is tenacity. Combined, this could make for a great sport or working dog. Just be sure this cutie gets enough daily exercise. This mutt will be tough on her playthings, too, so dog toys for aggressive chewers are essential in having anything last for more than five minutes of fun.
Like other bully breeds, the Staffy can be dog-selective, a trait that also occurs in Catahoulas. Early, ongoing, positive socialization and obedience work are key in building this queen’s confidence and ensuring she’s a well-adjusted woofer.
7. Catahoula Leopard Dog x Dachshund
No, we don’t know how this crazy combo came to be, nor do we want to know. That said, it’s here, so let’s love on her cuteness, shall we? Everything from this pup’s looks to her personality is a wacky mix, making it hard to predict much of anything. Will she be as feisty yet friendly as the dachshund, or will she go rogue and be reserved like the Catahoula? We can’t say for sure, but we know she’s the most unexpected cutie of Catahoula mixes.
Watch this woofer’s weight, especially if she has the long, low build of a dachshund, as extra pounds can put too much stress on her delicate frame. Limit treats or swap to lower-calorie options, like fresh, crunchy vegetables.
Want more weird wiener combos? Check out some other great dachshund mixes!
8. Catahoula Leopard Dog x Australian Cattle Dog
Smart, swift-footed, and perhaps a little sassy, this combo critter has loads of potential in everything from herding to obedience since her parent breeds are both prized working dogs. Teaching her new commands can be easier than most mutts, though you’ll need to keep her interested with rewards and fun lessons. If not, she’ll suddenly develop selective hearing.
Families with small kiddos aren’t likely to be a good match for this go-go-go doggo, but active households with older children can potentially handle her high-octane ways. Daily play and challenges are vital for her happiness, with tools like interactive dog toys helping with the task. Daily hikes or jogs are also top-notch choices.
9. Catahoula Leopard Dog x Pit Bull
Fit, fierce, and fabulous, this breed blend has a ton of athletic potential. While not a guarantee, this terrier mix could be a terrific hiking or jogging buddy, especially if she inherits the stamina of either parenting breed. Mixing dog walking games into either activity is a great way to test this beauty’s brain and up the fun, too!
Obedience training and socializing this sweet girl early on are vital in preventing dog aggression and helping her become the confident canine she’s meant to be. This is key with every woofer, but especially pit bulls and pit bull mixes, who are often the target of breed bans and pupper prejudice.
Psst: We’ve got more pit bull mixes for your viewing pleasure!
10. Catahoula Leopard Dog x Bloodhound
This droopy doll can inherit a personality-packed expression that’ll melt your heart, but don’t let those soulful eyes fool you: This pooch has the potential to be one of the most stubborn Catahoula mixes on our list! Patience and humor are musts when training this lovely lady, along with a good bit of experience. She could walk all over a beginner!
The bloodhound is the queen of dogs with the best sense of smell, so this pup is primed to be a super sniffer. Let her flex this instinct by indulging her senses in a sniffari walk. Secure her on a long leash, as this curious canine will follow her nose wherever it leads her.
11. Catahoula Leopard Dog x Beagle
Now that’s a cute critter! Pairing the sweet-as-honey spirit of the beagle with the Catahoula might take the edge off her tendency to give new faces the cold shoulder, but you’ll still want to work on socializing her to build her confidence. Obedience training is another must with a side of patience, as this gorgeous gal may do her own things from time to time mid-lesson.
With the beagle being a certified super sniffer, this doggo will likely follow her nose instead of your commands when something catches her fancy. This makes leashing her outside closed spaces essential in preventing her from running off after a scent. Letting her natural abilities shine with canine enrichment activities like nose work games is important.
Little Known Scientific Fact #73: You need more beagle mixes in your life!
12. Catahoula Leopard Dog x Bulldog
Mighty meets meatball in this mutt mashup. Jowls, drool, and a smooshed face are all possibilities when you combine our favorite farming floof with a brachycephalic British barker. This can mean monitoring her closely in warm weather, as short muzzles fare poorly in high temperatures. Personality-wise, the friendly nature of a bulldog might soften the aloofness of the Catahoula, but this isn’t a guarantee. She’ll still need plenty of socialization work with strange people and dogs!
The potential courage this canine can inherit from both parents is commendable, though she may bite off more than she can chew at times, so be sure to keep her leashed outside of enclosed spaces. She may not hesitate to investigate if she sees or hears something off!
13. Catahoula Leopard Dog x Australian Shepherd
Pairing one of the sportiest shepherd types with a doggo as dedicated to work as the Catahoula may make one heck of a farm or sport dog. This likely won’t be a couch potato canine, instead needing a great deal of daily exercise to stay content, preferably through jogging, bikejoring, or hiking. Canine sports like agility or dock diving are always an option, too.
This mutt may be too much of a high-flying four-footer for families with small kids, but her potential playfulness and energy may match up nicely with an active group of older children ready to take on an adventure with a floof at their side. Just be sure to keep this pretty pupperino leashed outside the yard. She’ll likely chase squirrels as she sees fit!
We’ve got more Australian shepherd mix photos you can enjoy!
14. Catahoula Leopard Dog x Boxer
This mashup might be one of our list’s bounciest and most boisterous if she has the perennially playful boxer spirit. Considering that, we wouldn’t recommend her to anyone looking for a laidback pooch. Instead, she’d likely thrive if you love hitting the trails or working out your woofer with serious backyard play.
Mouthiness may be an issue for this mutt, with the boxer one of the most gnaw-happy canines in the dog world. We recommend keeping a variety of good chews on hand for occupying her chompers; otherwise, your furniture might be sporting teeth marks in no time.
15. Catahoula Leopard Dog x Chinese Shar-Pei
Now that’s a happy-looking hippo! Ever expressive, the Chinese shar-pei looks as unique as the Catahoula’s many coat combinations, making this woofer potentially one of the wackiest on our list. Will she have wrinkles, little Shrek ears, or that mighty muzzle? Who knows! Just be sure to keep her ears and eyes clean, plus any Rover rolls, as this girl might be prone to problems.
Experienced dog owners are best for this mutt, with the Catahould and shar-pei both famously tricky to train. Early and ongoing obedience lessons and socialization are critical in molding her into her best self.
Check out some other incredible shar-pei mixes!
16. Catahoula Leopard Dog x Border Collie
What farm phenom potential! The herding all-star collie and Renaissance Rover Catahoula may make one heck of a hard worker, happy to tackle new tasks, like learning obedience commands, moving sheep, and acing agility courses. If you’re after a sporty sniffer, she might be your match made in Catahoula mix heaven!
Brains may be this pooch’s strong point, as the border collie is the smartest dog breed. If so, training this cutie can be a delight, provided you regularly mix up your lessons and challenge her mind. If not, she may tune you out. This smarty pants side can be a real handful when paired with the possible energy levels in this pup, making her one of the highest maintenance mutts on this list.
17. Catahoula Leopard Dog x Golden Retriever
What a beautiful barker! The sweet sniffer’s coat might be long or short, depending on whose ‘do she inherits. Either way, moderate shedding is a real possibility, requiring regular brushing to remove loose hair and keep her looking her best. You’ll also want to monitor and clean her ears as needed, as goldens can be prone to ear infections.
Golden retrievers are among the best breeds dogs for kids, so this pup may fit in well with family life, provided your kiddos treat her with kindness and respect. Paired with her propensity toward being playful, this gorgeous girl may be the perfect pooch for active families looking for a hiking buddy. Just be sure you have plenty of time and energy to devote to this stunner!
Need more golden retriever mixes? Of course you do!
18. Catahoula Leopard Dog x Bull Terrier
This mutt has the potential to be one mischievous meatball with her poochy pedigree, as bull terriers are famously clownish. This can be a handful when paired with the Catahoula’s propensity for doing her own thing. We’d recommend crate training this cutie to prevent Rover redecorating when you’re not around.
Since this pup’s probably going to be on the playful side, we recommend a well-stocked dog toy basket with a variety of playthings, like treat-dispensing balls and tug toys. Toys are ideal for entertaining your woofer and for letting her natural instincts flourish, including foraging.
19. Catahoula Leopard Dog x Greyhound
With the greyhound being one of the most independent dog breeds and the Catahoula being nearly as self-sufficient sometimes, this pup may be one free-thinking floof. While ideal if you work long hours or don’t want a Velcro dog, independence can be a challenge in training and when getting your dog to respond to commands. A stacked training treat pouch is a must!
Off-leash running in an enclosed space is an excellent exercise for this sniffer, as she’s likely to be quite the sprinter. Ensuring the area is fully fenced is critical since she’ll probably have a strong urge to chase small animals or cyclists with her strong sighthound and hunting roots.
Catch up to some more greyhound mixes!
Catahoula Leopard Dog Mixes: FAQ
Still interested in all things Catahoula? We’ve answered the most commonly asked questions about Catahoula leopard dogs and their mixes. Let’s check ‘em out!
What are Catahoula leopard dog mixed with?
The exact background of the Catahoula is unknown (and downright disputed), but most people agree a French farm dog called the Beauceron is a relative. Others feel that the bloodhound, Spanish mastiff, and greyhound were vital in the breed’s formation.
Are Catahoulas good family dogs?
The Catahoula isn’t the best dog for families with small kiddos, but she can fit in well with active families with older children. The breed is big, strong, and sometimes rowdy, potentially knocking little ones down when excited. This pup also isn’t the most playful, preferring bouts of solo time between play sessions – something small kids may not understand.
Are there different types of Catahoulas?
No, there’s just one type of Catahoula, though this good-lookin’ gal comes in various coat patterns and colors, like brindle, merle, and solid chocolate. One Catahoula look isn’t calmer, smarter, or a better worker than another, though some may be slightly rarer than others. Even so, don’t be tricked into paying a premium price for a puppy based on coat color alone.
Are Catahoula leopard dogs rare?
Catahoulas aren’t as common as dog breeds like Labs, German shepherds, or huskies, especially outside the Southern United States. They’re familiar faces around their home turf of Louisiana and nearby states, but you may be hard-pressed to find one in other regions, like Alaska, Hawaii, or even midtown Manhattan.
Just be careful if a breeder is advertising “rare” Catahoulas, as they’re potentially looking to make more money on a pup’s novelty versus breeding for quality.
Do Catahoulas have wolf in them?
No, Catahoula leopard dogs are not part wolf. She’s all doggo! That’s a good thing, as wolf hybrids usually make poor pets and wouldn’t excel as farm Fidos like the Catahoula.
Do you have any of the Catahoula leopard dog mixes we shared today? Is your pooch a different combo cutie? Tell us about her in the comments. We’d love to hear!
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