DE SOTO'S   CATAHOULA   HOG   DOGS!

When De Soto landed
On Florida's shore,
He brought horses, hogs,
And dogs galore!
A fine breed
The canines were
They became known
As the Catahoula Cur!
When he died
Near Jonesville, La,
The dogs were left behind,
Their ancestors there today!
From the middle ages
The blue-eyed creatures came,
Bred for loyalty and courage
And prized, they remain,
Chasing wild hogs or squirrels
Across the Louisiana terrain.
Now you know the history
Behind their fame!

Copyright 1998, Reggie Anne Walker-Wyatt

The Catahoula dog is the "state dog" of Louisiana. The word "Catahoula" is a
Choctaw Indian word meaning "clear blue water".
The dog's eyes are characteristically blue and sometimes one eye
will be blue, the other brown. They are very loyal and intelligent.