English Mastahoula

The English Mastahoula is a designer dog, an intentional crossbreeding between a herding and hunting cur from Louisiana, known as the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard dog, and the English Mastiff, a massive guard dog with an ancient history that has been instrumental in the development of many newer breeds. Mastiff-like dogs have been depicted in ancient Asian artwork as far back as 2500 BC, and traveled across the Alps with Hannibal. When the breed made its way to England it became a guard dog and hunting companion that was favored by both landholders and peasants. The two World Wars had a negative impact on the canine population of Europe and by the end of the conflicts the English Mastiff was nearly extinct and had to be revived by importing Mastiffs from the United States and from Canada into England for breeding. The developmental history of the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog is based almost entirely on conjecture and mythology, but we do know that the French who settled in Louisiana brought Beauceron herding dogs with them and that these same settlers frequently described mysterious hunting dogs with haunting glass colored eyes that were kept by the Native Americans. Most believe that the Catahoula is descended mainly from these two dogs, but as there were no records kept during the formation of the breed, there is no way to know for certain. Catahoula Leopard dogs, also known as Catahoula Curs, Catahoula Hounds, and Catahoula Hog Dogs, have been employed as both herding and hunting dogs and have excelled at both professions. The English Mastahoula is typically less rambunctious and pushy than the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard dog is but with more energy and less mess than the English Mastiff.