History of the Catahoula Leopard Cur

The Catahoula Cur Dog originated from Native Americans in central Louisiana around the Catahoula Lake area. In the 1540's Hernando Desoto fought with the Native Americans of Louisiana and lost.  After his defeat, his troops left the trained war dogs and hunting dogs.  Local Native Americans adopted these dogs and where crossed with the Indians Red-Wolf which became known as Wolf-Dog.

In the 1700's, this new breed was discovered by the French settlers.  These strange dogs had a mottled coat and a mysterious glass eye.  It is believed the French settlers brought their own dogs, which was used to hunt hogs and big game, and bred them to the Indians Wolf-Dog.  This would be one explanation why the Catahoula has a hound like appearance.