7/23 Volunteer update: LUCAS took his first car ride and attended his first event today and was a huge hit!  He got along well with everyone he met; greeting people and animals with wagging tail and kisses.  He spent the day with PATCHES, the Pointer mix and VELVET, the Cocker.  LUCAS allowed PATCHES to take toys from him, and when she played, sometimes roughly, LUCAS let out a puppy-playful growl, but was definitely the more submissive of the 2.  LUCAS was most happy to spend time in one of the volunteers' laps and be petted. He walks well on the leash and goes potty quickly outside.  The kennel staff mentioned that he wants to mark in the shelter, but we did not see any of that behavior at PetSmart today. LUCAS spent the day out of the crate mingling with passerbyers...he was great with the kids!  Gentle and calm for a  1 yr old. He allows you to take treats and toys from his mouth with no problems.  Loves attention of people and being handled. Never lunged at passing by people or animals. Would say he'd like to be in a house with another dog for companionship, but really loves his people. Loveable, energetic (but not crazy) 1 yr old who would be a great companion to any family wanting a dog to be part of their daily activities. LUCAS is very gentle, smart and has a gorgeous coat.  He has the spots of a CATAHOULA and the sweeping coat of a FLAT COAT or SETTER.  Pictures do not do this dog justice!  He is definitely one you want to visit with. 

According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog is believed to have originated from Nordic Wolfhound being introduced some three to five hundred years before the Spanish arrived - However, no one will really know for sure. The state of Louisiana is cited as the point of origin, particularly the area of Catahoula. In 1979, the breed was designated the state dog of Louisiana. The Catahoula was named after a Parish in Northeastern Louisiana and after the mottled spots on its coat. At one time this breed was used to round up feral pigs and cattle -- livestock that had escaped, and was living in woods and swamps. It involved team effort that is highly coordinated and organized, fast paced, dangerous, and a marvel to watch. The ideal dog team usually numbers three, and they must work together. Otherwise, the one pig can kill all three in a matter of minutes. Each dog has to be aware of what the pig and the other two dogs are doing and react accordingly. Hunters sometimes used the Catahoula to trail and tree raccoons, but this dominant breed is more at home acting the thug with obstinate boars. This dog is used particularly on the difficult task of driving and rounding hogs and unruly cattle. The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog is independent, protective, and territorial. Loving with their family and all people they know well and reserved with strangers (this would include strange children). They need to make up to a person, not a person make up to them. Of course there are temperaments on both sides of this, but this is for the average dog. They mature right around 2 and it is as if a light goes on and they say to themselves "I am an adult now and I need to act grown up." This breed's reservation with strangers should not be noticed in a pup, but will show as the dog matures. Although affectionate with his master, the Catahoula is not recommended for the casual pet owner who is uninterested in allowing the dog to function in his intended capacity. For the right owner, this is a protective yet dominating canine. Signs of timidly on a leash should not be taken as cowardness, but the intolerance for strangers. This breed needs a dominant owner who shows strong leadership. They have of life expectancy of 12-13 years.