Catahoula Temperament
I completely agree with the NALC statement that Not Everyone Needs a Catahoula.
These dogs will push your patience to the breaking point, and they will regularly outsmart you. You have to be willing to put the time in to train these dogs or they will take over your lives.
The late Don Abney's description of the Catahoulas' temperament is pretty much bang on, so the reprinted information is being presented with the permission of Don: website
These dogs will push your patience to the breaking point, and they will regularly outsmart you. You have to be willing to put the time in to train these dogs or they will take over your lives.
The late Don Abney's description of the Catahoulas' temperament is pretty much bang on, so the reprinted information is being presented with the permission of Don: website
The Catahoula is very wary of strangers but is at home with children. If a child and pup are allowed to grow together, you will not have to worry about your child. You will have a built in baby-sitter. As with any dog, you must be cautious when introducing him to new people. Catahoulas know what and whom they like, and I've found them to be an excellent judge of character. You will not be able to force this dog to like someone if his instincts tell him otherwise. His family comes first and that's who will receive his loyalty.
The Catahoula is not an aggressive dog, but it is assertive. This dog will not tolerate being mishandled, mistreated, or attacked. It will defend itself to whatever means necessary. There are some breeders that refer to their dogs as aggressive dogs, but I have found that this is a reference to the manner in which they work. It is more likely meant that the dogs are very enthusiastic about doing their job. There are some dogs that are aggressive and will seek to bite, but the owner or breeder should be able to explain those actions, and the reason for breeding such dogs. The Catahoula is a dog that will take charge when it is necessary. It is naturally protective of what and whom it thinks it owns. My home is located 200 feet off of the main road with a gravel drive leading to the home. The kennel is located 100 feet behind my home. If you were to park your car on the road and walk on the gravel, I would know you were coming before you could get halfway up the driveway. If you were to drive into the driveway, I would know you were coming before you reached the house. Every dog in the kennel will alert me to the fact that something or someone that does not belong here has arrived. Each dog knows this property, and there isn't any way to approach my home without my knowing of your presence.
A Catahoula requires a minimum of one hour of running exercise each day, rain or shine. If the dog is kept outdoors, this is not a problem, but, if he is an indoor dog, he must get this exercise. Daily walks or runs in a yard are sufficient, but they are necessary. Since this dog has the inherent nature to herd and track game, he needs the exercise to release some of that pent up energy.
You must be ready to teach and exercise a Catahoula. If not, he will eat your house. The Catahoula will not let you forget that you own a dog. If you do not have the time and energy it takes to train and exercise an active dog, then the Catahoula is not the dog for you. To describe what a Catahoula is like is almost impossible. You really have to own one to understand these dogs. Once you own one, you will be amazed that this dog already knows what you want, and what you are going to do. You will swear that the dog can read your mind, and he will out-think you, if given the chance.
~Don Abney