The English Bulldog Catahoula Mix is a hybrid between the English Bulldog and the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog. Energetic, loyal, and highly agile, this crossbreed possesses the best characteristics of its parents.
Catahoula Bulldogs is another name for these dogs.
In this article, we'll look at some common traits of the English Bulldog Catahoula Mix. We'll also discuss the temperament and potential behavior issues that they might exhibit.
Lastly, we'll talk about how to best take care of and train an English Bulldog Catahoula, as well as possible health problems.
Let's dive in.
Traits of the English Bulldog Catahoula Mix
Breeding Catahoulas with bulldogs has been a thing for more than a century. However, the first-ever cross-breeds were actually between American bulldogs and Catahoulas.
English Bulldog Catahoulas are comparatively rarer.
Another difference between the English and American bulldog variants is that the English bulldog is somewhat smaller and shorter.
They also have faces that are wrinklier and more droopy, while their American counterparts don't exhibit that trait as often.
Although, while not as long and large as its American cousin, the English Bulldog is still a well-muscled, active, and energetic dog. The name ‘bull' in bulldog came from the fact that it was originally used to bait bulls around, not to mention the fact that it’s quite built like one.
Their size and power are sufficient for them to be able to attack bulls in bull-baiting arenas. Following the ban on bullbaiting during the 19th century, these dogs transitioned into prized pets.
The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog, on the other hand, was originally used to herd cattle. It was agile, highly intelligent, and had a lot of stamina, exactly what was needed to be able to keep up with the cattle.
When these traits are combined, the resulting English Bulldog Catahoula Mix took on the agility and stamina of the Catahoula and the formidable strength of the Bulldog.
The English Bulldog Catahoula Mix also has the intelligence and hunting instincts of both breeds, making it the best of both worlds.
Appearance
Because the English Bulldog Catahoula Mix isn't a purebred, the colors and patterns of its coat have slight variations. Though the trademark of the crossbreed, however, is the glassy, marbled eyes.
Normally, these crossbreeds don't tend to have an undercoat. However, should they be exposed to cold weather regularly, they’ll start growing one as a way of acclimating to their surroundings.
Temperament
As far as temperament goes the English Bulldog tends towards being lazy. As such, this crossbreed prefers being indoors, taking it easy.
Also, because they're not as large as their American counterparts, they're better suited to living in apartments.
Because of these trait combinations, the English Bulldog Catahoula Mix is generally a laid-back, quiet breed. He’ll remain mostly placid inside a house until he finds a need to be alert, such as someone knocking at the door.
In addition to being highly intelligent, the English Bulldog Catahoula is generally attentive and doesn't get distracted easily. This makes them great family dogs!
The herding instinct of the Catahoula is also somewhat tempered by the Bulldog heritage, so it can get along with children and other pets better than a Catahoula usually would.
Due to the varying percentages of genetic heritage, your dog can also exhibit different natural characteristics. All of the traits of the two breeds, not just the most desirable ones, have to be considered.
The result is a canine that makes an ideal watchdog. It's also an affectionate companion that's loyal to a fault.
Training
English Bulldog Catahoulas are highly intelligent and eager to learn. Yet, remember that they need a firm hand in training, as they're also somewhat independent.
Dogs that are allowed to do as they wish will think they're the ones running the show. It can become detrimental to their training and overall well-being because they'll reach a point where they simply stop listening to commands.
Crossbreeds derived from the Catahoula can tend to be aggressive. So, to make your dog friendly to other animals and people, it’s important you start to socialize him from an early age.
One way to do this is to enroll him in a socialization class.
You can also take your puppy to dog parks and dog stores. You may also bring him to an event where you could introduce him to other pets.
To control their hunter instincts, begin leash training early on. If the dog pulls in the opposite direction, don't jerk the leash or drag your dog away.
Instead, stand still and wait for him to calm down. Only start to walk again once your dog has settled down and begins to move toward you.
Feeding
English Bulldog Catahoulas have somewhat of an appetite. So, experts recommend feeding your adult pooch about three to four cups a day, beginning in the morning and ending just before bedtime.
Puppies will need anywhere from 4–6 smaller meals spread out over the day as well.
Grooming
This breed tends to shed a lot, especially when nervous. Other than that, grooming requirements for this dog are pretty minimal.
You should bathe him at least a few times a year. Trim the nails whenever you see that they're long enough to touch the ground when he's standing.
In addition, you should try to keep your dog's teeth clean and check several times throughout the week to see if he needs dental care.
Potential Health Issues
Though often considered to be a healthy breed, the genetic lineage of the English Bulldog Catahoula Mix can still give it some health issues. Blindness, deafness, and hip issues are often seen in older Catahoulas, which could possibly affect crossbreeds derived from them as well.
Once blindness sets in, it can affect one or both eyes. Deafness operates in pretty much the same way.
Other health problems include ACL tearing, cherry eye, hip dysplasia, and thyroid and kidney disease. This mix could also be susceptible to a few types of cancer and nervous illnesses.[1]
Paul has been creating content for the dog niche for many years. The information he shares comes his first hand experience growing up in dog lovers household and then owning multiple dog breeds of his own as an adult. Paul enjoys doing the hard research to collect, analyze and present our dogtemperament.com readers with the best answers to their questions.