Catahoula Bulldog Dog Breed Information

Group

Unrecognized

Weight

25-45 kg

Height

50-60 cm

Lifespan

10-14 years

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About the Catahoula Bulldog

Reviewed by:

Dr. Charlotte Francesca Stiles

Veterinarian

The Catahoula Bulldog is a stalwart, popular breed across America for companionship or families alike. Originally bred as hunting dogs to catch bears in the American south, its gentle, fun-loving temperament has kept the Catahoula a highly sought after breed for over 100 years.

A medium to the large-sized dog, the Catahoula Bulldog has tight skin and a short, smooth coat. Expect this breed to display a wide variety of coat colours, including all-white, brown, black, or some mixture of colours. Catahoula dogs often have mesmerising ice blue or emerald green eyes, brown or gold… or even two different colours.

What is the history & origin of the Catahoula Bulldog?

The Catahoula Bulldog was initially bred from Catahoula Leopard Dogs and American Bulldogs more than 100 years ago. The Catahoula became a firm favourite in the American south for its herding skills; its, gutsy hunting instincts, and fiercely protective nature.

Considering the age of this mixed breed, there are no known records of any breeding programme. Interestingly, the name Catahoula is from a Native American word meaning “clear water”.

What is a Catahoula Bulldog breed?

The Catahoula Bulldog is actually a mixed breed or ‘hybrid’ bred from the Catahoula Leopard Dog and American Bulldog.

Both Leopard Dogs and American Bulldogs have a sturdy, muscular build making them ideal all-terrain dogs with good stamina and a lot of energy. Both breeds are also known to form close, protective bonds with their human families.

Designer hybrid dogs are always a bit of a shot in the dark since the majority are no longer a 50-50 split. However, for the most part, the characteristics of the parent breeds have been passed on to the Catahoula Bulldog, resulting in a loyal, dependable family dog with lots of energy.

Who is a Catahoula Bulldog best for?

This popular, all-American dog is the perfect choice for active families with a large backyard and a thirst for adventure.

A Catahoula Bulldog puppy can be a great addition to any family because it is loyal and loves to be around people. These guys love to play, and they love children… Their favourite thing? Playing with children.

If you do have younger children in the family, consider adopting a Catahoula puppy; socialising the pup from a young age will ensure it forms a close, unbreakable bond with your youngest family members.

Catahoula Bulldogs can be a good fit for homes with other pets, too, provided they are well trained or socialised from a young age, so they do not view small dogs or other animals as prey.

Catahoula Bulldog Grooming & Shedding

These guys are super low maintenance. The short, dense coat will only require brushing once a week. They are considered low-medium shedders; brushing weekly will remove loose hairs.

Like any other dog, your Catahoula Bulldog will require regular claw trimming (how often depends on how quickly they wear down) and semi-regular tooth brushing to prevent decay. The good news is that these dogs love attention, so most will happily sit and stare… glad of some quality time with you.

Do Catahoula Bulldogs bark a lot?

Yes, they bark… and yes, because they are part American Bulldog, the bark sounds loud and aggressive.

If you adopt a Catahoula Bulldog puppy, socialise it with other people and dogs, so it is less likely to bark when it sees someone new.

What you should definitely not do is shout at a barking Catahoula. It will think you are engaging in the conversation and just keep barking. Train your dog to understand the word “quiet” said calmly and without raising your voice.

A Catahoula Bulldog puppy, or adult, is an active dog. If they keep barking, the chances are they are not getting enough exercise.

What is the average weight & height of a Catahoula Bulldog?

The Catahoula Bulldog is classified as a medium-sized breed of dog.

A healthy weight for an adult Catahoula Bulldog is between 25kg and 45kg. An adult dog will stand just over half a metre in height.

Male Catahoula Bulldogs tend to grow slightly larger than females of the breed.

Are Catahoula Bulldogs easy to train?

The Catahoula Bulldog is easy to train if you are prepared to be patient. It is an intelligent dog and eager to please, with over-excitement and too much energy being the only real obstacle in its training.

These guys are seriously energetic and love nothing more than to spend the day playing with their human families. As they are quite large dogs, you must train your Catahoula properly so that it does not get over-excited and cause accidental damage… or hurt someone by mistake.

Adopting a Catahoula Bulldog puppy is a good idea if you have young children. This way, your new family member will learn to be careful indoors and around children from an early age, so it is more controlled when it reaches adulthood.

Often this breed ends up in a shelter because it is big and active and has not been trained properly but if you are willing to put in the effort, consider adopting a rescue Catahoula Bulldog; be consistent with training and reward good behaviour, and you will have a lifelong friend.

How do Catahoula Bulldogs behave? A look at their temperament and personality

The Catahoula Bulldog is loved for its upbeat, fun-loving personality. They are fiercely protective of their human herd, especially children, but they are often misread for their intimidating American Bulldog appearance.

If you are considering adopting a Catahoula Bulldog, decide in advance whether a male or female would be the best fit for your family. While bigger and stronger, the male has a more consistent temperament and is always up for some playtime.

The female Catahoula Bulldog can be a little more prone to moods. They will be affectionate and playful when they feel like it, but they might also want to be left alone. Having said that, a spayed or neutered Catahoula will almost certainly exhibit a more even temperament.

Does the Catahoula Bulldog have any common health issues?

Catahoula Bulldog pet parents ought to keep an eye out for some potential genetic problems. This breed can suffer from the elbow or hip dysplasia, partial or total deafness, blindness, or entropion.

What is the lifespan of a Catahoula Bulldog?

The average life expectancy for a Catahoula is between 10 and 14 years, though it is not uncommon for healthy members of the breed to live as long as 18 years.

Ask veterinary advice for how best to care for your canine chum to make sure it reaches the upper end of its life expectancy.

How much does a Catahoula Bulldog need to be fed?

Catahoula Bulldogs are high energy dogs that burn off a lot of calories every day, so they require more to eat than many other dogs who are less active. Most dogs require just 300 calories a day to maintain a healthy weight… A Catahoula Bulldog needs up to 3000. (That’s right, 3000 calories per day!)

Your Catahoula will benefit from a protein-rich diet but beware of feeding it a dry food with too much plant or soy-based protein, which this dog breed struggles to digest. Instead, make sure your chosen dry food contains high-quality meat ingredients.

How much can you expect to pay for a Catahoula Bulldog in Australia?

A Catahoula Bulldog puppy can cost between $500 and $1,000 dollars.

If you consider adopting a Catahoula Bulldog, try visiting a rescue centre, as these energetic dogs often need a good home.

Catahoula Bulldog FAQs

Are Catahoula Bulldogs good family dogs?

Yes, for the active family. They love the outdoors, and they have loads of energy. A family with a big garden who loves adventure will be the perfect fit for a Catahoula Bulldog.

They are very protective of their human family, especially children. This can be a double-edged sword; make sure your dog is socialised from an early age.

Are Catahoula Bulldogs good guard dogs?

They do make excellent guard dogs and have natural hunting, chasing and herding instincts. Like the American Bulldog, they look more aggressive then they typically are, with a deep, gravelly bark to match.

If you plan to use a Catahoula as a guard dog, make sure it is properly trained first, or its natural instincts and energetic disposition might prove difficult to handle later on.