What's In A Name: Catahoula Leopard Dog

This breed originated deep in the swamps of Louisiana. "Catahoula" is possibly a mispronunciation of "Couthaougoula," which is a Choctaw Indian word meaning "sacred lake". Another theory is that it is th combination of two Choctaw words "okhata", meaning lake, and "hullo" meaning beloved. The "leopard" in this breed's name refers to coat color patterns.

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is the state dog of Louisiana and is sometimes called the "Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog". It is also shortened to the "Catahoula Hound" or "Catahoula Leopard Hound. It is not a true hound, but a cur.


Source: Dr. Becker