Ariege Pointer vs Catahoula Bulldog - Breed Comparison

Long ago, ranchers kept the Catahoula Leopard to catch and carry prey, but because it lacked the strength to do so, they would include other stronger dogs in the pack. The American bulldog was more well built, stronger and more aggressive, and the idea was to mix the American Bulldog with the Catahoula Leopard Dog. This brought about the Catahoula Bulldog which has been in existence for some 100 years.

The Catahoula Bulldog became known for its stamina and strength and in 1951 the breed registry started. As a hybrid, the Catahoula Bulldog isn’t officially recognized by the American Kennel Club.

The Ariege Pointer is a French hunting dog, coming from the Ariegeois region of France.

Known as the Ariege Pointing Dog, French Pointer or Braque de l’Ariege, these dogs came from the old French Braque dogs that were crossed with the orange and white Southern Braques.

It was in 1990 that a team of breeders decided to devote themselves to the breed’s survival. The Braque de l’Ariege was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 2006.

The Catahoula Bulldog is a strong-looking, medium- sized dog of 55-66cm in height and weighing in at 34-46kg. He has a short, smooth, water-repellent coat. The coat can be in a number of colors – white, brown, black or grey or he can be bi-colored such as in brown and black or white and black.

The dog appeals to a lot of people because it sheds very little. The ears of the Catahoula Bulldog are somewhat floppy and the long tail is mostly docked. The dog has unusual eyes and these can be brown, but also in shades of blue or green or even a combination of these colors.

Temperament:

This is a relaxed dog breed but having said that, he is also a protective breed, and then his fearless qualities come out. He becomes alert to strange noises. He is loyal and intelligent and loves to spend time with his human family. He is somewhat stubborn and independent, and early training and socialization should be provided. This ensures he is even more amicable around children in the home as well as around pets.

The Ariege Pointer has always been a dog kept essentially for hunting and not as a companion dog. He stands between 55 – 67cm and weighs 25 – 30kg.

He is an attractive looking dog with quite a large head while the body is sleek and slender to look at. The ears are quite large and are floppy while the tail is traditionally docked to give him that distinctive look. These days the tail is often left long and hangs downwards.

The coat is short, single and rough and is white with tan or orange patches. The coat can also be speckled or ticked.

Temperament:

The Ariege Pointer is a hunting dog who is friendly towards strangers and therefore won’t make a particularly good watchdog.

These dog are lively, independent and good natured and they make excellent companion dogs. They are fairly docile and and get on well with children and pets in the home. Just like with any other dog, they need to be trained and socialized early.

The Catahoula Bulldog is such an all-round dog breed – he loves to work and be active but he also loves to be with his human family. He is smart, active, loving and devoted and makes a splendid working dog or human companion, though he will always need to be kept busy.

He is a healthy dog breed too, and is actually low maintenance which is just one of the many advantages of keeping him as a pet.

For all that he offers you, it is up to you as a responsible dog owner to provide him with a loving and nurturing environment so that he can continue to live up to the high standards this dog breed is known for.

The Ariege Pointer has always been an excellent pointing- and hunting dog. When it comes to being a family pet, he puts his hunting skills aside and becomes a loyal, loving, friendly pet.

They are considered to be rare dogs, and were at one time bordering on extinction. Those who have owned one of these hunting dogs will be glad to know that they are no longer considered endangered. They’re not your friendly, social kind of dog that you find in other dog breeds, but with training and socialization he will make a fine companion and family friend.

The Catahoula Bulldog is known to be a robust dog breed, full of energy. With good care – healthy diet, clean, fresh water and love and attention – he can live up to be between 10 and 16 years of age.

However, with every dog breed there will be some common dog ailments to watch for and these include hip dysplasia, some eye disorders and congenital heart defects. Some Catahoula Bulldogs can become deaf in one ear, or blind in one eye.

The Ariege Pointer is a working dog breed, used for hunting and retrieving prey. With good care the dog can live to be a good 12 – 15 years of age.

However, with every dog breed there are common dog diseases to watch for. This dog has long floppy ears and these can get damp and will need to be cleaned and dried regularly otherwise the long ears can be prone to infection.

Apart from being prone to health issues such as an ear infection, you want to be aware of very common dog ailments such as hip dysplasia which can cause lameness in your dog.

Whatever illness your dog has, and you see he isn’t acting his usual self, get him to the vet for a check-up and then make sure that all treatment and medication prescribed is adhered to.

Exercise:

The energy levels of the Catahoula Bulldog are high and he is going to need ongoing mental- and physical stimulation. He wants to be part of all the activities in the family and you will need to take him for walks or take him with you when you go cycling or jogging. He’ll love to join in with all kinds of ball games.

The best kind of environment for the Catahoula Bulldog is a country home with lots of fields to run in, but if you keep him in the city, he can do well provided you make sure to include plenty of daily exercise activities for him.

Grooming:

The short, smooth coat of the Catahoula Bulldog won’t require much grooming, so a good brush twice a week will be excellent for this dog who will just love the interaction this activity brings.

Diet:

Ensure that your Catahoula and Bulldog mix has food which is full of vitamins and minerals as he is an energetic dog. If you make use of a commercially manufactured product, make sure it is one of the top quality ones guaranteed to ensure good health.

Don’t just put a bowl of dog pellets in front of your dog day after day, but make it interesting and nutritious for your pet by adding in raw meat, rice, vegetables and some cooked meat from time to time. An adult dog can be fed once or twice a day.

Always ensure fresh, cool water is constantly available to your pet.

Neutering and Spaying an Excellent Choice:

Your attractive Ariege Pointer will give birth to 2 – 8 puppies. If you don’t want puppies, then spaying or neutering is excellent and can actually have many health benefits for your pet.

Grooming:

This dog with its short coat requires very little maintenance, and a good brush twice a week will ensure the coat remains glossy and shiny, giving you the chance to also check for fleas and ticks.

Dental Care:

Don’t just assume every dog has bad breath. Bad breath can be indicative of dental disease, and dental problems can cause all kinds of other illnesses within the body. Make sure that while your pet’s teeth are healthy, that you brush them 2 or 3 times a week with special canine toothbrush and toothpaste.

Good Exercise and Diet:

The Ariege Pointer requires regular exercise as it is a lively, energetic dog. He can adapt to life in the city or the country, but ideally he needs a place with a large garden.

Wherever you keep him as a pet, make sure you take him for walks every day and that you play ball- or rope games with him. Ignoring his exercise needs will turn him into a bored, frustrated pet, and that isn’t fair towards him.

Make sure you choose good quality commercially manufactured foods for him. Adding in some home-made food to his kibble such as cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken will be wonderfully good for him.

Every dog will require some raw meat added into his diet from time to time. Many skin diseases can be treated by adding in raw meat. After all, before dogs were domesticated they lived on raw meat, and including this ingredient back into their diet guarantees to make a remarkable difference in terms of good health.