The Catahoula Bulldog can be trained for several uses. They make excellent watch, guard, and catch dogs. You need not feel vulnerable with one by your side. They will hunt and tree game and can basically be considered as a working breed. As pets they are easily trained and are very loyal to everyone who intimately surrounds them. They love to be around their family and are very tolerant of children. They are a level headed breed that wishes to please and respects their owner for teaching them proper obedience.

Howard Carnathan did a lot of early work in developing the breed. He wrote a letter to Mr. Stodghill, the director of the Animal Research Foundation in 1960 giving information on the breed. "I needed a dog that would be a companion and protector to my children and home yet also was in need of a dog that would help with the farming duties. The mixture of the Catahoula Bulldog fit my purpose exactly".

The American Bulldog, once known as the American Pit Bull Dogs, which is not the Pit Bull that is known today, gave great strength of jaw, a heavier body and a laid back attitude. It also beefed up the head of the Catahoula lending itself to a wider skull. The Catahoula Leopard Dog added intelligence, speed, endurance and the instincts of hunting and herding. They also added an astounding array of unique coloration's known as merle.

The appearance of the Catahoula Bulldog is a medium to large size dog that weighs 75-100 pounds and stands 24"-26" at the shoulder. He has the musculature of the American Bulldog with tight skin and a very short smooth coat. Normally he does not have an undercoat but usually develops one when living in seasonal or colder climate. Their ear set varies from a rose type to button over and sometimes cropped for a regal look. They tend to use their ears in a very expressive manner, as if they are talking with them. His eyes can be a soft to dark brown, ice blue, emerald green, gold or any combination of all of these.

Catahoula Bulldogs come in a wide variety of colors. A pure white coat is commonly seen with or without striking ice blue eyes, a soft sable brown and white coat with or with out merle, or the infamous merling patterns. Merling produces a huge range of colors and patterns. Some are white with gray, black and tan patches and blotches; some have very large areas of color and smaller patches and spots. You truly have to see it to believe it. Not only are they useful for all the above-mentioned purposes but are extraordinary to look at. Sure to be a conversation piece around town stopping people in their tracks to be admired.

CJ's located in East Hartford, CT, has been working with the breed for 20 years and is the leading breeder and developer.