Catahoula Issues » Work Dog vs. Show Dog  

The discussions of differences between working dogs and show dogs will not be settled here. This is a difference of opinion that will live on for generations to come. What is written here are my observations of these dogs and their owners. Having had the opportunity to put a Catahoula to work in a field that had long been thought of as one for German Shepherds and Labradors, I have great pride in this accomplishment. It has given the Catahoula the opportunity to prove itself as a dog that can be used in this and other disciplines.

What is heard mostly from those that use Catahoulas for working or hunting is this: "If the dog works or hunts, I don't care if it looks pretty or dances around in a ring. I don't want a 'lead and feed' dog. I want a dog that will do the job." I understand these statements more than most people, because my mentor was a man who used these dogs for hunting and working. What these working and hunting people are looking for is a dog that has the grit to face a full grown boar head on and still hold its ground, or face a herd of scattered cattle and have the wit and forcefulness to gather them up and hold them. The Catahoula has been thought of as a dog that was capable of doing all of this, even to the point that the same dog could be used to accomplish both tasks. The working people are looking for a dog that will stand up to the challenge and meet it without question or delay, a dog that is "worth its salt." This isn't hard to understand when you think that some of these people are making a living out of working cattle or hogs. This dog is a tool that is just as important to them as the hammer is to the carpenter.

The show people, and I'm one of them, try to breed and raise dogs that will fit into a standard of structure that produces more than just a pretty dog that is nice to see. We show our dogs so that we can be judged as to where we are in a breeding program, and where we have to be. Of course, there are some that would have you believe that this is a beauty pageant, but it's more than just the pretty coats and colored eyes. The dogs are being judged on their bite. Are the teeth straight with a scissors bite? Is the jaw shaped properly? Without a proper jaw shape and teeth, a working dog is useless. Are the eyes of proper shape? If a working dog can't see, or is impaired by an eye problem, it can't work. Color doesn't matter. Is the skull and muzzle properly shaped and sized? If there isn't enough room for the brain, there isn't much brain to use and a strong muzzle is necessary for a working dog to breathe. Is the skeletal structure proper for this type of dog? Does the dog stand properly with its legs straight and well defined? Does the dog gait(walk, trot, run) in a manner that displays proper motor function and ease of travel? If the dog cannot move properly, it will tire more easily and quit before the job is done. Then there is the matter of temperament. Most judges will not tolerate a dog that will not allow them to touch and examine it. This may seem like a trivial matter, but it's one that shows the acceptance of another person. Does this mean that the dogs will not protect? Not at all. It does give merit, though, to the dog to know the difference between friendliness and threat.

Can you have both? Yes, you can. Most Catahoula breeders realize that the working abilities of these dogs is a trait that is just as important as the structure and beauty of the dog. The Catahoula was bred to work. It lives to work. It needs a job. Occupying the mind of a Catahoula can sometimes be a challenge, but it's that trait that makes the Catahoula what it is. A dog that is structurally correct will work easier and better than one that has to overcome some structural deficiency. So it stands to reason that if the working traits are kept alive and the structural soundness is maintained, you can have a dog that can win in a show ring and perform in the field trials.

Lately, I've seen more and more working dogs coming into competition in the show ring. I welcome it. It shows that there is concern for the welfare and structure of the working dogs that are being produced. It also gives those breeding working dogs the opportunity to correct whatever deficiencies their lines may have.

Due to the "Mad Cow" disease in Europe, there have been a lot of dogs destroyed. Working people had to destroy the infected cattle, and with no income it wasn't wise to keep dogs that cost them money. A lot of good dogs were destroyed due to the lack of work. There were a lot of good bloodlines and abilities that were also destroyed, as well. Hopefully, this will not happen here, but, if we try to keep in mind that the Catahoula is a Pretty Dog that Works, we will have a fighting chance of never losing those abilities.

Is all of this necessary? Yes, it is. It's those traits that make the dog so desirable, and it's the first thing that gets changed by those groups that want a "Lap Dog." I've watched dogs with a working ability be bred into a show ring situation that has all but destroyed the breed's natural function. Take for example the French Poodle. Here is a dog that was bred to retrieve game from frozen waters. How many people are using the French Poodle for this purpose today? I promise you, if I were to bring a French Poodle into a duck blind in Louisiana, I'd be shot. Most Poodles are being kept as pets or have the honor of being displayed in a show ring. The working abilities are there, but they are so minute that it would take years of breeding to bring it to the foreground again.

Most of the Conformation Standards used by Breed Clubs were formulated by those owners of working/hunting dogs. These are what they considered important factors in breeding the dogs. The outline is designed to produce a dog that has the working traits in addition to being built structurally sound. Color was not as important as work. After all, color is just an aesthetic and doesn't help or hinder in any way.

The message I'm trying to convey is that working, hunting and show people should be working together. They should try to produce the best Catahoula possible and have all the things that are required. In other words, have the best of both worlds. Have a Pretty Working Dog if you like, but be sure that the dogs are of the caliber required to perform the job, while meeting the tests of a Conformation Standard.