Catahoula Leopard Dogs - Good for tracking?

[Bearkills]

I am interested in getting started on a tracking dog. I have trained several working Aussie's for cow work, but never a sport dog. I have been researching breeds and am almost certain I do not want a lacy. Was however interested in Curr dogs. Any input here?

[Solocam]

Yep they track....



Just out of curiosity, why not a Lacy?

[tx_dropem]

yup, got two. they like it. still in training but learn fast

[Convert]

If the intense personality of a Lacy is what turned you off, I don't think you'd want any other kind of cur dog either. Because a Lacy is, for all intents and purposes, a cur. And though Catahoulas and Lacys are different dogs, the reasons for passing one up are very similar. And that includes being overbred by pet owners and people out to make a buck. The unique appearance of both breeds has done them more harm than good.

Though I obviously like to give everyone considering Lacys a harsh dose of reality if you have trained working Aussies, I bet you'd be able to handle a cur. So I guess the better response is what do you want in a tracking dog?

[Tuffbroadhead]

Yeap, they are great for tracking, but!! Be ready to give them a lot of attention and they are a handfull.... When I dont get back to the truck soon enough mine starts honking the horn....

[allenwm26m]

Catahoula's are the best IMO, but they do need attention and room to roam. How many do you want ? LOL

[DerekC]

Call Jim, at Bowhunter's Paradise. Bell had over 100 successful tracks when I was there last and that was 3 years ago..several hundred by now.

[Jerryg]

Look at a BMC....Randy Wright or David Toms.

Jerryg

[TX_Hoghunter]

I raised catahoulas for over 20 years and I use dachshunds for tracking. Now catahoulas (all cur breeds) will run a track but in my opinion its just easier with a small dog. Most of the cur breeds have A LOT of drive. When you put tham on a track their sole purpose in life will become finding that animal and while you can teach them manners most of them will try topull your arm off to get to the deer. If you decide to get a catahoula you need to goto some of the NALC shows and talk to some of the people that are still using their dogs. If you need any contact info let me know.

-john

[Bearkills]

If the intense personality of a Lacy is what turned you off, I don't think you'd want any other kind of cur dog either. Because a Lacy is, for all intents and purposes, a cur. And though Catahoulas and Lacys are different dogs, the reasons for passing one up are very similar. And that includes being overbred by pet owners and people out to make a buck. The unique appearance of both breeds has done them more harm than good.

Though I obviously like to give everyone considering Lacys a harsh dose of reality if you have trained working Aussies, I bet you'd be able to handle a cur. So I guess the better response is what do you want in a tracking dog?

Well I have limited exposure to Lacy's being raised in Louisiana I had more exposure to Catahoula's. The Lacy's I have been around have a completely different personality than a Cur. Lacy's seem to be a bit more domineering than a Catahoula and when reading up on them Lacy's seem to be a bit more high energy.

As for what I want out of my new pup, I am looking to make a working dog first, pet second. I am unemployed and probably will be until February or March from the looks of things so I have a lot of time to spend with a puppy now and get a good foundation. When I am not working, the puppy will be tended to by my wife and exercised by my daughter and my Aussie. The Aussie is more of a pet and outside of his three walks a day hasn't much interest in being outside except for a short chase of a squirrel or critter. He would rather be curled up next to momma on the couch. He was the dog my son picked out of our last litter to train for himself. He did all the obedience training and before our son passed away on September 4th had doing really well on commands. Now I have to retrain him a bit, and intend to do another pup while going through it with the Aussie.