Catahoula Pitbull Mix 101 (Pithoula Buyer & Care guide)

As a prospective owner seeking the Pitbull Catahoula, this comprehensive guide is meant for you. Allows us to take a deep dive into this furry friend including appearance, behavioral traits, buying, care, and much more to help you make an informed decision. Scroll on Doggiephile.

In spite of the controversy that surrounds them, designer/mixed dogs are a sight to behold. These four-legged friends have seen a rise in popularity since the 1960s when breeders started to intentionally mix different breeds for their perceived hybrid vigor and other desirable traits.

Though not as popular as crosses such as Labradoodle and Cockapoos, the Catahoula Pitbull mix is a relatively new crossbreed from this craze.

Pithoula or Catahoula Pitbull mix is what he sounds like, a cross between a Pitbull and Catahoula Leopard dog. The Catahoula Pitbull is a medium to medium-large cross weighing 30 to 80 pounds and standing at 20 to 24 inches.

This is a loyal, fun-loving, and energetic crossbreed that thrives with active families, ranchers, hunters, and other active individuals. Pithoulas are not meant for inexperienced owners.

He gets along with children but may be aloof to strangers and may show signs of dog aggression thanks to the Pitbull bloodline. Conversely, due to their strength and overly playful nature and strength, interactions with young children require supervision.

The Catahoula Pitbull Mix: An Overview

Height18 to 22 inches
Weight40 to 85 pounds
Lifespan10-14 years 
Breed TypeMixed breed
Grooming needsLow
Color VariationsRed, White, Merle, Gray, Brindle, Fawn, Tan, Brown, White, and Black
TemperamentIntelligent, loyal, energetic, loving, protective, fun-loving, affectionate, and alert
Other namesPithoula, Leopard Pitbull, or Catahoula Pitbull

The Catahoula Pitbull is a relatively new and unrecognized designer dog first seen in the US but has no breed standard. This cross can inherit any of the Pitbull’s or Catahoula’s characteristics.

Making an exact prediction of the offspring’s traits or physical appearance is difficult if not impossible. But to get a better handle on this crossbreed, it is best to understand the parent breeds.

Pitbull:

Pitbull is not a single breed but rather a generic term referring to a group of dogs sharing a common ancestry: Pairings of Old English Bulldogs and Terriers. They include;

  • American Pitbull Terrier
  • The American Staffordshire Terrier
  • American Bulldog
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • English Bull Terrier

These dogs were originally bred for blood sports such as bull and bear baiting due to their tenacity and strength. However, when these sports were outlawed in the 1800s, they were primarily used for illegal dog fights. This gave them a reputation as aggressive and dangerous dogs and thus discriminated against.

Although Pitbulls tend to be dog aggressive, they are calm and loving towards people and incredibly good with children. As such, most have earned the moniker, “nanny dogs.”

In the case of the Pithoula, this dog’s aggressive and fighting background is something to be aware of as a competent owner since the fighting gene can be passed down to the mixed offspring. It is not uncommon for most Pitbull mixes to be dog-aggressive but super people-oriented and friendly.

Despite their bad reputation and imposing presence, Pits and their crosses are energetic, loyal, smart, and loving dogs that deserve love and hugs. They are best suited for responsible owners but may not board well in the hands of an inexperienced owner.

Catahoula Leopard dog:

The Catahoula Leopard dog originally called Catahoula Leopard Cur is an intriguing breed but not as popular as the Pitbull.

These dogs’ origins date back to the Lousiana Territory in the 1600s. They are believed to have been bred by Spanish Settlers as herding and hunting dogs by mixing Greyhounds, Mastiffs, Bloodhounds, and native breeds at the time.

The resulting offspring were then crossed with Beaurcerons by French fur trappers in the 1700s to give us the Catahoula we know and love today. Catahoulas were named the official Lousiana State dog in 1979.

Today, this is a versatile ranch dog that can serve as a herding, hunting, retriever, and watchdog. He is an active working dog fit for any purpose and best suited for active environments and families.

This is not a dog for everyone due to their high prey drive, strong will, independence, and territorial streak but in experienced hands, they are incredible. For a first-time dog owner or in an apartment, this pooch can be overwhelming.

Catahoula-Pitbully-Mix-dogbreed

5 Catahoula Pitbull Facts

  1. Most Pithoulas have webbed feet making them great swimmers.
  2. They are known to be incredible climbers and escape artists.
  3. Most Catahoula Pitbulls tend to have sky-blue eyes due to the dominant merle gene from the Catahoula parent breed.
  4. These dogs have a prey drive since both parent breeds have a hunting dog ancestry.
  5. Despite their imposing physique, these dogs can be super emotional, sensitive, and caring towards children.

Pithoula Characteristics

Height & Weight:

The Pitbull Catahoula Leopard dog mix is a medium to medium-large dog depending on the parents’ size. Most weigh between 35 to 90 pounds and stand at 20 to 26 inches.

They are slightly longer than they are tall but reach their full weight and height within 18 to 24 months.

Physical appearance:

Although they don’t have defined features due to their hybrid nature, most Pitbull Catahoula mixes tend to have tall, powerful, stocky, and smoothly-muscled bodies.

  • Their heads are broad and flat with smiley faces, moderately wide muzzles, strong necks, deep chests, and small to medium floppy ears with slightly rounded tips.
  • These four-legged friends have slightly curved tails tapering to the tip when alert or in motion and hanging when the dog is relaxed.
  • Their feet are webbed and well-arched feet to navigate marshy and watery terrain. This makes them great swimmers.
  • Pithoulas have medium-sized rounded eyes that are moderately set apart. Most of them have striking “glass” eyes due to the Merle and/or Piebald gene.
  • Eyes are set moderately well apart, medium in size, somewhat rounded in appearance, and set well into the skull.

Coat appearance:

The Catahoula Pitbull mix has a smooth, single, short to medium-length coat lying tight on the body.

Colors:

The Pit Catahoula coat color mainly depends on the Catahoula’s color genes. Since most Catahoula Leopard dogs are merle and or piebald, they pass down these colors to their mixed offspring.

The merle (M) and piebald (Sp) genes are dominant genes that cannot be inherited by a pup without being visible.

  • Merle is a marbled coat pattern consisting of a dark base color with lighter and irregular grey to pale brown sections with torn edges. This pattern is caused by the merle gene (M) which lightens random black to brown eumelanin patches of the coat. The merle Catahoula Pitbull gene can also remove eye and nose pigment causing the crossbreed to have one or two sky-blue “glassy” eyes. Since the merle gene can also remove color pigment from the nose, the dog’s nose can have random pinkish spots known as butterfly noses.
  • Piebald or white spotting is a pattern consisting of random pure white sections, especially on the dog’s underside. The gene responsible for the piebald gene completely removes pigment from random sections of the coat causing them to appear pure white. Most piebald Pithoulas have white patches on the underside, chest, feet, tips of the tail, and neck that may extend to the dog’s face as a blaze. A blaze is a strip of white fur between the eyes to the top of the dog’s head. The piebald gene can also remove pigment from the eyes and nose causing the dog to have striking blue eyes and pinkish nose spots.

Most Pitbull Catahoula mixes have both the merle and piebald genes causing them to have a marbled merle pattern with white sections as described above. Piebald dogs may also have ticking spots which are tiny dark spots appearing on the white sections of the coat.

Eye color:

A unique feature of most Catahoula Pitbull eyes is their striking and alert light blue “glass eyes“. These blue eyes are caused by the actions of the Merle and/or Piebald genes.

Some of these crosses have two blue eyes, one blue eye (heterochromia), or part blue eyes where only part of one or both eyes are blue (cracked glaze). The bright blue eye appearance is random and varies from one dog to another.

Nose color:

The nose can be black, brown, bluish, or pale brown depending on the eumelanin color pigment.

As mentioned the merle and/or piebald gene can remove pigment from these crossbreeds’ noses causing them to have pinkish spots. Noses with pink spots or sections are known as butterfly noses.

Catahoula Pitbull Temperament & Personality

The Catahoula Pitbull mix is an energetic, intelligent, confident, independent, gentle, affectionate, eager to please, and loyal dog. His temperament ranges from a devoted worker to a soft, smiley, clownish, and goofy couch potato.

They are family-friendly and form a strong sense of attachment with family members and are happiest getting a belly rub and cuddling. As they are people, lovers that thrive on attention and affection, these dogs should not be left alone for extended periods

But due to their independent streak, high energy level, high prey drive, and great physical prowess, they are best for a patient, active, caring, firm, and experienced owners with strong leadership skills. If you are a hiker, camper, hunter, farmer, rancher, runner, or generally active individual, this may be your next four-legged best friend.

As an owner, be prepared to commit to proper training, socialization, and plenty of exercises to burn up pent-up energy. This hybrid dog is best suited for farms or large spaces to lounge around, play, explore, eradicate rodents, work, drive livestock, and do other activities he is inclined to.

With that said this is not the dog for apartment dwellers, novices, or first-time dog owners. Pithoulas may prove to be too much for people with little dog ownership and handling experience despite their impeccable qualities.

In addition, most are territorial, and protective but tend to be aloof and distrustful of strangers but are not shy or people aggressive. Their alertness and protective nature make them great watch and guard dogs.

Like any other breed or Pitbull mix, the potential aggression is always there due to mishandling, poor socialization, poor training, or in the case of a perceived threat. Constant socialization and training of the pup from early on are essential. Training helps the pooch distinguish between a threat and a friend.

Each dog is an individual with a unique personality shaped by genetics, the environment, people, how they are raised, and life experiences.

As a family dog:

The Pitbull Catahoula Leopard dog mix is an ideal and active family dog. He has a sweet, nurturing, gentle, and playful demeanor around children, especially older and active children.

But his interactions with young and rough children should always be supervised due to his intense energy and prey drive.

The Catahoula Pitbull with other pets:

Although this dog is known to be a people pleaser, the same can not be said about other pets, especially dogs.

In general, most Pitbulls and their mixes including the Pithoula have a reputation for innate dog aggression. This does not mean that the Catahoula Pitbull mix will run a murk at the sight of other dogs but always take precautions when dealing with other dogs, especially strange ones that invade his space.

As such, this crossbreed may not be the best for a dog park. Knowing how to avoid and break up dog fights can be a matter of life and death for your dog and others.

This is another reason why early socialization is necessary to reduce the risk of incidences and to normalize interactions with other dogs and pets.

Leopard Pitbull price

On average a Catahoula Pitbull mix puppy price ranges between $600 and $1500 in the US. This cost depends on the location, parents’ pedigree, the breeder, and other price factors.

It is also possible to get this pup from a shelter since some owners may not be prepared for this dog’s needs causing some to end up abandoned. If you are lucky enough to find one in need of a forever home, adoption fees are about $150.

Care guide

It is essential to create the right space and environment for your four-legged friend. He needs warm bedding, chews for his strong jaws such as a kong, grooming, a proper diet, puzzles, play ropes, a leash, sufficient exercise, training, and so on.

Ensuring the dog is shielded from the elements and stays warm is of utmost importance since he does not cope well in cold weather.

1. Grooming requirements

Grooming is essential for a clean and healthy dog. It also enhances the bond between you and is useful for checking the skin for any injuries or signs of infections.

First, it’s crucial to get your Pithoula used to gentle touch in various parts of the body through positive reinforcement. This is not only useful for grooming but also comes in handy when putting the leash on and so on. You can use a reinforced marker such as “YES” or “GOOOD” for this instead of using a treat each time. Teach the reinforced marker using a high-value treat such as pieces of liver, cooked chicken, and so on. Then use can touch a body part such as around the neck, YES, reward. Touch another part, YES, No rewards, touch, YES, no rewards, touch, YES, reward. Make the rewards random and ensure the dog focuses on you instead of the treat.

The Leopard Pitbull has a low maintenance short, single coat with moderate shedding. Brush it at least twice a week with a slicker brush or rubber hand mitt to remove loose fur and keep them from spreading on all your own.

Brushing the coat also promotes proper skin health and sheen by removing dirt and debris, distributing essential coat oils, and stimulating blood vessels on the skin.

Only bathe the dog once a month with shampoo or when necessary depending on the dog’s activity level such as when he rolls in the mud as you hike or work. Bathing the dog too often with shampoo strips the coat of its natural oils causing the skin to dry up. You may or may not use a nice-smelling conditioner to restore the dog’s sheen. Between baths, wipe the pooch down using a damp cloth/towel to remove dirt, debris, and dead/loose hairs from the coat.

Brush the teeth about twice a week to reduce tartar buildup and the risk of periodontal diseases. I would recommend a finger brush for this since it is much easier to use than a handle doggie toothbrush. Chew toys and chew treats also promote dental health and hygiene.

Ear cleaning to prevent earwax buildup and reduce the risk of ear infections. Only clean the outer ear structure using an approved ear-cleaning solution and cotton buds, not Q-tips.

Nail clipping once or twice a month is also necessary. While clipping the nails, ensure you don’t cut the quickly but in case of bleeding, use a quick stop.

If you are not comfortable with any of the grooming processes such as nail clipping or ear cleaning, get a professional groomer to do it for you. However, you should at least be able to brush the dog’s teeth and give it the occasional bath.

catahoula-pit-bull

2. Feeding and dietary needs

To meet their nutritional and energy needs, all Catahoula Pitbulls need an age-appropriate, fresh, and balanced diet.

As a general rule of thumb, each dog needs about 30 calories for every pound they weigh. Each Catahoula Pitbull needs 900 to 2400 daily calories depending on its weight, metabolism, age, and daily activity.

On average, this is 2 to 4 cups of dry food. Apart from dry food, it may also be homemade, or canned food. The diet should be;

  • At least 20% high-quality proteins from sources such as chicken, lamb, eggs, turkey, etc. Proteins are essential for bodybuilding and repair.
  • About 7% high-quality fat to meet their energy needs. Fat content should increase during the colder winter months since they burn up a lot of energy to keep themselves warm.
  • Carbs and fibers make up the bulk of the diet but should be from high-quality sources.
  • Occasional vegetables and fruits and minerals supplement the diet.
  • A constant supply of clean water is essential for hydration and to cool themselves during the hotter days.

Divide meals into 2 or 3 daily portions. Do not free-feed the dog since he has a tendency to overfeed.

Avoid low-quality meals with ingredients such as meat by-products, soy or wheat, and some non-meat table scraps or spices that may upset their sensitive stomachs.

Also investigate if the dog is allergic to any food by observing symptoms such as itchiness, vomiting, and diarrhea after certain meals. Visit the vet if the observations repeat for foods he may be intolerant to.

3. Exercise requirements

The Catahoula Pitbull is an athletic, high-energy, driven, and active dog needing about 1 hour of daily mild to occasional strenuous exercise to burn up pent-up energy, reduce bad behaviors, make them bark less, and sleep better at night. This can be;

  • Play within your yard and other games such as flyball
  • Indoor exercises
  • The occasional daily walk, jog, hike, or run
  • Swimming, and other fun water games such as dock diving
  • Work tasks they respond well to such as herding, hunting, and fishing
  • Tug

Apart from physical stimulation, the dog also needs mental stimulation to keep their minds active. This can be a chew toy such as a kong, puzzles, other games, obedience and command training such as heeling, drop it, etc.

Without sufficient physical and mental stimulation, the dog may easily get bored and display destructive behavior such as excessive chewing, non-stop barking, excessive chewing, etc.

Do not leave the do outdoors unless your home is well-fenced since the Pithoula is a skilled escape artist and an excellent jumper. Leash training, proper leash handling and walking techniques such as heel walking will come in handy during walks as these dogs may not be very welcoming, especially strange dogs.

4. Training & Socialization

Due to their independent, pushy, and stubborn streak, these dogs need consistent training and socialization from a young age.

Fortunately, training should be quick and easy since this is a brilliant, responsive, and eager-to-please pooch. But you need to use the right and approved training techniques to improve your success chances.

Training is best done through positive reinforcement to reward good behaviors and withhold rewards for undesired behaviors. It should be firm, consistent, and fun. Keep training sessions short to maintain your dog’s attention.

Pay keen attention to self-reinforcing behaviors such as excessive barking, lunging, jumping, nipping, chewing, etc. Aim your training to their eradication.

Socialization is also essential. Introduce your dog to different people, other animals, sounds, sights, stores, and other places he is allowed. Build a positive association with them. Get the dog comfortable with random unfamiliar situations and various interactions both on-leash and off-leash. Set boundaries and engagement rules to have a well-behaved pooch.

Use rewards that best motivate your dogs such as high-value food treats, toys, rubs, and games such as tug. Also use reinforced, correction, and punishment markers instead of using a food treat each time.

Health concerns

Although he is fairly healthy, the Pitbull Catahoula mix is susceptible to some health issues, like any other dog breed, purebred, mutt, or designer.

Some conditions he is at risk of include;

  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Thyroids
  • Heart conditions
  • Skin and food allergies
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Partial or complete deafness and eye issues due to the Merle and Piebald genes

Despite these possible conditions, this dog is healthy in general and has a lifespan of between 10 to 14 years.

Sufficient exercise, an active lifestyle, a proper diet, and hygiene reduces the risk of these health conditions for a healthier, happier, and long-living dog.

Special Considerations:

In some states, there may be special laws restrictive Pitbulls and Pitbull mixes. It is important to check this out before you commit to the Pitbull Catahoula mix as he may be considered potentially dangerous and vicious.

Is the Catahoula Pit mix a good dog?

To sum up, the Catahoula or Leopard Pitbull is an active, energetic, bright, affectionate, smart, and trainable dog. He is especially good for active individuals as a companion, working, and family dog.

Before you get this dog, ensure you can meet his care and lifestyle needs.

Do you think this is the right dog for you? Share your feedback and possible questions in the comment section below.

There you go, WOOF!