Tom D. Stodghill was the first to write the history of the Catahoula Leopard Cowdog in 1983, entitled "History Of Catahoula Leopard Cowdogs". The American Kennel Club (AKC) purchased his book March 20, 1984, for their library. We, too, urge you to purchase your copy for your library collection as well, if you haven’t done so already.

In the early 1970’s, Mr. Kline Rushing, owner of "Tophand Kennels", Denham, Springs, Louisiana, contacted Mr. Stodghill in order to register his "non-registered" Catahoulas that he had acquired, and/or bred. By having ARF-registered Catahoulas, he was able to extract a higher price for them, and, as a result of ARF’s promotion of "Tophand Kennels", Mr. Rushing was able to get the Louisiana State Legislature to recognize the Catahoula as its State’s dog. On October 10, 1977, Mrs. J. S. [Betty Ann] Eaves, Kline Rushing’s daughter, founded the National Association of Louisiana Catahoulas [NALC]. However, prior to that date, ARF registered approximately 500 Catahoulas for "Tophand Kennels" and their customers, the foundation stock for the NALC , from January 2, 1971 through May 18, 1977.

A sad footnote of history: Mrs. Betty Ann Eaves, Founder of the National Association of Louisiana Catahoulas [NALC], to this day, refuses to recognize Mr. Tom D. Stodghill, Founder of the Animal Research Foundation [ARF], and his work in recognizing and promoting the first Catahoula registry, etc. Further, Mrs. Betty Ann Eaves’ "Association" is not "National", as they declare, but they are exclusive to those Catahoulas that have a pedigree in Louisiana. Therefore, if your Catahoula(s) pedigree originated in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, etc., your Catahoula(s) is not recognized by her organization. On the other hand, ARF is inclusive; we recognize all legitimate Catahoula registries and all Catahoulas, regardless of their "state" origin.

PURPOSE: Working dog for livestock, catch and herd wild cattle, catch wild sows and boars, hunting, protection, guardian and companionship.

OVERALL IMPRESSION: The Catahoula varies from a medium-to-large dog, is athletic for its size and very alert and agile.

SIZE: Males should measure between 22 to 26 inches at the withers (56 cm. to 66 cm.); 1 inch variation in height is allowed. Weight should be 75 to 95 pounds (34 kg. to 43 kg.). Plus or minus 5 to 10 pounds variation is acceptable.

Females should measure between 20 to 24 inches at the withers (51 cm. to 61 cm.); 1 inch variation in height allowed. Weight should be between 55 to 70 pounds (25 Kg. To 32 kg.). Plus or minus 5 to 10 pounds variation is acceptable.

COAT: Short to medium hair length; long or feathering hair is a disqualification.

COLORS: Solid Blue.

Solid Black.

Solid Yellow.

Solid Red.

Solid Brindle.

Solid Chocolate.

Blue with Tan trim.

Black with Tan trim.

All shades of Red, Blue, Yellow, and White with Black markings are acceptable. Four-tone "Leopard-spotted" color is preferred by most people, with Blue or Red background with Black spots, Tan trim, White markings and Blue eyes.

Notice: Solid colored strains are valuable for breeding to "Leopard-spotted" Catahoulas to help avoid tendencies to "deafness" and "blindness". As in the case with other breeds carrying the Spotted or Merle color, problems have sometimes occurred with "deafness" and/or "poor eyesight" when Catahoulas of the "Leopard-spotted" color are bred together.

EYES: Blue eyes and Brown eyes occur in the Catahoula. Blue eyes (often called "glass eyes") are a characteristic of the Catahoula Leopard; however, eyes can be of any color or a combination of colors (eyes do not have to match in color).

EARS: Short to medium being attached just below the top of the head. The forward edge of the ear rests next to the cheek. The ears should have a triangular-looking appearance. Ears that have a laid-back look are allowed.

HEAD: Powerful looking with a wide skull. Cheeks should be well-developed. The muzzle length equals approximately the length of head-skull (nose stop to occiput bone), having a strong-appearing muzzle, broad and tapering to the nose with a well-defined stop.

BITE: A strong scissor bite; a level bite is allowed; an over or under bite is a disqualification.

FEET: Moderate length, strong webbing between the toes to be evident. Dew claws acceptable.

CHEST: Deep and fairly broad with length reaching below the elbow.

BACK: Straight, well-muscled, medium-length.

TAIL: Narrow, coming to a point at the tip-end. The tail in a relaxed position can have the appearance of a "fishhook curve". A natural bob-tail is not uncommon, and is recognized as part of this unique breed.

REAR: The croup, above the hind legs, should be from a medium to long build. The stifles should be well angulated to provide for a long flank. The hocks should stand straight, neither turning in or out.

There are three ways you can register your Catahoula(s) with the Foundation, e.g.: