As their name suggests, the Australian Shepherd Catahoula mix is a crossbreed of the Australian Shepherd and the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog. They can also be called the Catahoula Aussie.
Alternatively, they could also be referred to as the Catahoula Shepherd Mix. That can also refer to the German Shepherd Catahoula, which is a completely different crossbreed.
Compared to other mixes, the Catahoula Aussie is relatively rare.
While Australian Shepherds or Aussies are frequently found in many American households, Catahoulas are rare outside the state of Louisiana. Their crossbreed is also hard to find, and the rarity of the Catahoula might be one of the reasons.
It's a new breed that has only gained popularity among dog lovers within the last few decades.
Notably, most Australian Shepherd Catahoulas are products of accidental breeding. The majority of them are adopted from animal shelters rather than bought from breeders.
Currently, there isn’t a lot of information available as to when and where the Catahoula Aussie mix was first bred. Also, the American Kennel Club (AKC) or any other kennel club doesn’t recognize this crossbreed.
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Australian Shepherd Catahoula Appearance
The Catahoula Aussie has a varied appearance and could be hard to distinguish from other Australian Shepherd mixes. In addition, this hybrid is bred for abilities more than appearance, adding to the unpredictability.
In the end, it depends on which of his parents' genes shine through. More often than not, it's the Australian Shepherd that he'll take after.
If he leans more on the Australian Shepherd's heritage, chances are that he'll boast a double coat and long hair. If he's more like a Catahoula, he'll be short-haired and have no undercoat.
On the other hand, we can't discount the probability that the dog will take after his parents equally. In that case, he could have medium-length hair either with or without an undercoat.
Regardless, the Catahoula Aussie will sport several different colors on his coat. Usually, the combinations range between black-and-white, brindle, and brown-and-white.
Body Size
It’s a medium-sized dog, just like its parent breeds. The ideal weight for males is around 60 to 80 pounds, while for females, it can range from 40 to 55 pounds.
As for the height, it's generally the same for both males and females. They measure around 18 to 24 inches.
Coat Type, Color, Length, and Pattern
The Catahoula Leopard dog and the Australian Shepherd differ quite wildly when it comes to coat. Hence, their cross has an unpredictable coat type, color, and pattern.
If it inherits the Catahoula parent’s coat, expect that it’ll have a short coat. Much like a Catahoula’s coat, it’s low-maintenance and will only require regular bathing.
On the other hand, if it inherits an Aussie Shepherd’s coat, expect its coat to be long. This