Voodoo's breed...Part II

[Gempress]

I posted this in another thread, but I figured I'd start a seperate one for this question.

Last week, the vet started doubting that Voodoo was a purebred catahoula. He said that as Voodoo ages, he's starting to have more and more of a bully look to him, possibly pit or bulldog. I dunno...I don't know enough about catahoulas or bully breeds to say for sure.

I'm also starting to wonder if the vet's estimate of Voodoo's age was wrong, too. He said Voodoo was about 10-12 months old when we found him. But my little terror has grown a little over an inch in height, and nearly 10 pounds in weight since then. Is a one-year-old dog suppossed to grow like that? Right now, Voodoo is 24 inches at the shoulder. He's 58 lbs; the vet said he'll probably fill out to about 70 lbs when fully mature (the chaos demon is still a bit on the lean side right now)

Check out the pictures and tell me what you think. They're not the best pics in the world, but it's hard to get pictures of my wiggly boy.

 

[vanillasugar]

I've always wondered if there's a bit of pit in him... but then again, I don't know nearly enough about Catahoula's to see wether one is purebred or not... sorry!

 

[Fran27]

Same as the post above... I'm no help

 

[Buddy'sParents]

You know, Gem, there is this beautiful Am Bulldog that comes to the dog park and after you mentioned it on the other thread I could totally see some of that in Voodoo. But, I agree with the others, Ive not seen a catahoula is person to be able to really know the difference (other than their markings) but according to website photos...I could see how Voodoo could possibly not be a full bred Catahoula. Hm, did that make sense?

 

[Gempress]

Thanks for the input. I can see where Voodoo looks pitty...but I can also see where he could be pure catahoula. It's neither here nor there. *sigh* If only dogs could talk. I also left a message on a catahoula forum (yes, I actually found one), but it doesn't look particularly active. I guess we'll see what happens.

 

[Roxy's CD]

I'm with everyone else when it comes to breed, I could see pit in him but I don't know enough about Catahoula's to know if maybe they just have a look like a pit...

As for his age, with both of my guys and from what I've read and been told dogs do *most* of their height growing in the first year and then they fill out the second to third year.

Roxy stopped having height growth spurts at about 10 months, she's gotten taller since then but nothing drastic or really at all noticeable unless I measure her.

Hades will be a year in August... He had a growth spurt about a month ago, but really hasn't gotten much taller since then, just been packin on the pounds! LOL

I'm sure with larger breeds they grow height wise longer than a year though, although I would assume that they taper of drastically after a year.

So IMO, if he's still having growth spurts that drastic of an inch or more he's younger than a year old...

 

[jess2416]

Is there any breeders around your area that you could ask that you could possibly ask ?? The only one I have seen in person was Charlie,but he was mixed (I think) and their faces are similiar...but Charlie was a little overweight so I dont know exactly what his body structure would look like if he slimmed down..

 

[dr2little]

I know that I have called Voodoo a pit or pit mix before but that was because I kept mixing up Voodoo with CD's Hades..I do have them straight now. All of the PB Catahoulas that I've seen here, and there haven't been that many, have a very houndy heads. Kind of pointer meets lab or hound...??
Have you searched the breeder sites to compare?
All I know is that Voodoo is a very strikingly handsome dog...(as is Hades CD, that's why the mixup I'm sure).
I'm more inclined to think some sort of bully in there just because of head shape, ear placement...but I've not seen enough Cat's to judge either.

 

[Melissa_W]

Is there any breeders around your area that you could ask that you could possibly ask ?? The only one I have seen in person was Charlie,but he was mixed (I think) and their faces are similiar...but Charlie was a little overweight so I dont know exactly what his body structure would look like if he slimmed down..

I was going to ask the same thing... any breeders in the area?

 

[Barb04]

I found a pic of a catahoula on this website that looks like Voodoo, especially in the pic where Voodoo is sitting:

http://www.catahoulaleopard.com/swdogs.htm

 

[jess2416]

Of the ones that I have seen, some look like pitish look while others have more of a houndish look..

Does he have webbed feet?? If he doesn't you can definitely say he is mixed...

 

[Gempress]

Thanks Barb! Voodoo strongly resembles those catahoulas, except for color.

 

[jess2416]

Oops

 

[RD]

If you take away the brindle coloring and replace it with merle, Voodoo would be unmistakably Catahoula. There is something about brindle that makes people think Pit.

I think he looks like a purebred Catahoula. He is a little shorter on leg than most are, but not every dog is going to be the picture of the breed standard.

 

[Gempress]

I think you're right, RD. It looks like Voodoo is just a stockier catahoula.

And in this picture, his legs look about the right length.

I guess he is a catahoula! Maybe I should dye him merle to stop confusing people. (including myself)

 

[RD]

Hmm yes his legs do look right. I think you're right - a little stockier, not necessarily shorter on leg. I think him being built more sturdily also makes people think "bully". But when you come to think of it, Catahoulas have to be built that way in order to withstand the abuse that cattle can dish out.

Gawd, whatever he is, he's absolutely gorgeous. Something about the brindle combined with the ticking makes him absolutely one-of-a-kind.

 

[Renee750il]

Gem, did you take a look at the link I posted in the other thread?

 

[Gempress]

Interesting link, Renee! Wow, those dogs look a bit like Voodoo, too!

*re-enters state of confusion*

 

[dr2little]

I think you're right, RD. It looks like Voodoo is just a stockier catahoula.

And in this picture, his legs look about the right length.

I guess he is a catahoula! Maybe I should dye him merle to stop confusing people. (including myself)

That does look Voodoo..and he looks like he'd taste like Tiger Ice cream...yum!!

 

[jess2416]

Have you looked at his feet to see if they are webbed....