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The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog has a long history dating
back around the time Europeans landed in North America. In 1541, Hernando DeSoto came to the area now known as Louisiana with
his Spanish War Dogs consisting of Alano Mastiffs and Greyhounds. After being defeated by the locals, DeSoto's remaining soldiers
abandoned their dogs to breed freely with each other and the Red Wolves domesticated by the Natives. The offspring became
known as "Wolf Dogs" as recorded by Henri Tonti during the conquest of the Americas. These "Wolf Dogs" were utilized by the
local tribes to assist in hunting the deer and boar found in the swamps of Louisiana (as well as other game animals). In the
early 1700's the French came to the area and brought with them a breed then referred to as the "Bas Rouge" but more recently
known as the "Beauceron". Admiring the Wolf Dogs for their intelligence and loyalty, the French interbred their animals with
the local mixed breed and produced the ancestors of the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog. On July 9, 1979 this breed was recognized
by the government of the state of Louisiana and declared the state dog. | |
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