| A Crash Course in Houla History |
that the most likely scenario took over 150 years to come into being. It is thought that some of the Spanish "war dogs" brought to the United States were injured during conflicts with the Native Americans while in Louisiana and abandoned by Hernando de Soto in the 16th century. These sick and injured animals were cared for by the Natives and were allowed to run free where they interbred with the red wolf. These "war dogs" are believed to have been the Mastiff and the Greyhound which produced a large wolf-dog that the Natives used to hunt game. In the 18th century the Beauceron was introduced when French settlers came to Louisiana. The Beauceron was crossed with the wolf-dog in an attempt to create a breed more suitable for herding cattle in the swamps. Today the Catahoula is one most versatile breeds of dog in existence. |
The Greyhound is believed to have existed as
early as 4,000 years ago and was held in high regard
by hunters and Pharoahs alike. In Arabian culture the
birth of a Greyhound was only second in importance to
that of a son. If a Greyhound died the entire family
would go into mourning. These dogs were imported
into Rome and Greece most likely through trade with
Egyptian merchants before 100 B.C. and later arrived
in Europe only to be nearly wiped out during the
famine years. Protected and bred by European
clergymen, the Greyhound became hunting
companions for nobility
early as 4,000 years ago and was held in high regard
by hunters and Pharoahs alike. In Arabian culture the
birth of a Greyhound was only second in importance to
that of a son. If a Greyhound died the entire family
would go into mourning. These dogs were imported
into Rome and Greece most likely through trade with
Egyptian merchants before 100 B.C. and later arrived
in Europe only to be nearly wiped out during the
famine years. Protected and bred by European
clergymen, the Greyhound became hunting
companions for nobility
In the 10th Century King Howel of Wales decreed that the killing of a Greyhound was punishable by
death and by the 11th Century King Canute of England had passed laws in which only nobility was
allowed to own a Greyhound. Commoners caught with any greyhound were punished severely and the
toes removed from the dog so that it could never hunt again. During the Renaissance Coursing became
the "sport of Queens" when Queen Elizabeth had Thomas, Duke of Norfolk, draw up rules judging
competitive races. Spaniards brought Greyhounds to the new world and in the mid-1800's dogs were
imorted in large numbers to America from England and Ireland to help control Jackrabbits and
Coyotes. They became familiar sights on farms and ranches in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas
and one of the first national coursing meets was held in Kansas in 1886. Over the years Greyhounds
have been used by the US Cavalry, farmers and hunters and have remained a popular breed in
America. You can see the Greyhound in Catahoulas that have lean bodies and deep chests.
death and by the 11th Century King Canute of England had passed laws in which only nobility was
allowed to own a Greyhound. Commoners caught with any greyhound were punished severely and the
toes removed from the dog so that it could never hunt again. During the Renaissance Coursing became
the "sport of Queens" when Queen Elizabeth had Thomas, Duke of Norfolk, draw up rules judging
competitive races. Spaniards brought Greyhounds to the new world and in the mid-1800's dogs were
imorted in large numbers to America from England and Ireland to help control Jackrabbits and
Coyotes. They became familiar sights on farms and ranches in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas
and one of the first national coursing meets was held in Kansas in 1886. Over the years Greyhounds
have been used by the US Cavalry, farmers and hunters and have remained a popular breed in
America. You can see the Greyhound in Catahoulas that have lean bodies and deep chests.
The Beauceron is believed to be descended from a
hardy ancient canine known as the "Chien des
Tourbieres" from the French Jura and was originally
domesticated and employed as larger game hunting
dogs (bear, boar and stag). It is from this background
that they became adapted to the tasks of flock
guardian and herding dog. The Beauceron's role as
esteemed companion and protector is also recorded as
royal portraiture, where they are portrayed as
companions to kings.
It is not surprising that the Beauceron is almost
unknown outside of France, as it is truly rare by
hardy ancient canine known as the "Chien des
Tourbieres" from the French Jura and was originally
domesticated and employed as larger game hunting
dogs (bear, boar and stag). It is from this background
that they became adapted to the tasks of flock
guardian and herding dog. The Beauceron's role as
esteemed companion and protector is also recorded as
royal portraiture, where they are portrayed as
companions to kings.
It is not surprising that the Beauceron is almost
unknown outside of France, as it is truly rare by
any standard. At present there are perhaps 7,000 in the world, although the French stud books have
recorded less that 80,000 registered since their recognition nearly a century ago. To add to the picture,
the breed faced near extinction twice during the century due to both world wars where they were used
not only as sentry dogs but also as bomb dogs and message carriers. Most recently, the breed was
rebuilt following World War 2 primarily from approximately 50 select specimens. In the United States,
the breed is a relative newcomer, with estimates placing their numbers between 350-500, with breeding
privileges accorded far fewer. Catahoulas get some of their merling and herding instincts through this
ancestor.
recorded less that 80,000 registered since their recognition nearly a century ago. To add to the picture,
the breed faced near extinction twice during the century due to both world wars where they were used
not only as sentry dogs but also as bomb dogs and message carriers. Most recently, the breed was
rebuilt following World War 2 primarily from approximately 50 select specimens. In the United States,
the breed is a relative newcomer, with estimates placing their numbers between 350-500, with breeding
privileges accorded far fewer. Catahoulas get some of their merling and herding instincts through this
ancestor.
The Mastiff is believed to have originated in
Central Asia. It is not known exactly how they
developed or were bred but what is known is that they
are part of a group of large dogs known as Mollosus
which were used as war dogs not only in ancient times
but throughout history. They were inported to Europe
possibley by Phoenician traders and were used for
bear-baiting and dog fighting which were popular
activities in Britian during that time and through the
renaissance period. Romans used them to fight lions
and other African animals brought home from
expeditions and many were trained for protection and
war and European nobility kept Mastiffs to control
illegal hunting on their lands. By the early 20th
Century only a handful of Mastiffs still existed but was
Central Asia. It is not known exactly how they
developed or were bred but what is known is that they
are part of a group of large dogs known as Mollosus
which were used as war dogs not only in ancient times
but throughout history. They were inported to Europe
possibley by Phoenician traders and were used for
bear-baiting and dog fighting which were popular
activities in Britian during that time and through the
renaissance period. Romans used them to fight lions
and other African animals brought home from
expeditions and many were trained for protection and
war and European nobility kept Mastiffs to control
illegal hunting on their lands. By the early 20th
Century only a handful of Mastiffs still existed but was
carefully restored by introducing the short haired St. Bernard into the lines with positive results.
Mastiffs are known to have been brought to the Americas by Spanish explorers. Today you can see
some of the Mastiff's traits in the some Catahoulas through the shape of their heads, brindling and
breadth.
Mastiffs are known to have been brought to the Americas by Spanish explorers. Today you can see
some of the Mastiff's traits in the some Catahoulas through the shape of their heads, brindling and
breadth.
The Red Wolf is one of the rarest canid species and
is one of the most endangered animals in the world. It
once roamed throughout the Southeastern United
States.Aggressive predator control programs, hunting
and agriculturalization have combined to bring the red
wolf near to extinction, because it was thought to be a
threat to livestock.It is thought that its original
distribution included much of eastern North America,
where Red Wolves were found from Pennsylvania in
the east, Florida in the south, and Texas in the
south-east. On the basis of further study[citation
needed], its historic range is now thought to have
extended further north into the northeastern USA and
extreme eastern Canada. There are thought to be only
249 red wolves remaining in the world,
is one of the most endangered animals in the world. It
once roamed throughout the Southeastern United
States.Aggressive predator control programs, hunting
and agriculturalization have combined to bring the red
wolf near to extinction, because it was thought to be a
threat to livestock.It is thought that its original
distribution included much of eastern North America,
where Red Wolves were found from Pennsylvania in
the east, Florida in the south, and Texas in the
south-east. On the basis of further study[citation
needed], its historic range is now thought to have
extended further north into the northeastern USA and
extreme eastern Canada. There are thought to be only
249 red wolves remaining in the world,
| and 200 of those reside in captivity. It is believed that the dogs brought over from Europe intermixed with the Red wolf which has helped contribute to some of the instictive traits we see in the Catahoula today. |
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| Crazy Wolf's |
| "A fair-minded man, when reading history, is occupied almost entirely with refuting it." -Voltaire |
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