It is reported that the Catahoula Bulldog has been in existence for at least 100 years. While it is an old American dog mostly used in the South, there are no well-documented reports regarding the breed. The name Catahoula is derived from a Native American word meaning “clear water”. This breed has been known to be a favored dog in the Southern states and continues to be a preferred breed due to its effectiveness in protection. In the past, ranchers used the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog to help herd cattle and catch hogs. Its intelligence and strong work ethic convinced ranchers to continue using the breed for tasks. There was initially an issue with the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog being able to bring catch home due to how small and weak they were. The Catahoula also lacked the necessary aggression needed to hunt more aggressive prey like bears. Because of this, the American Bulldog was bred to the Catahoula in order to increase aggression, strength, and bulk up its body. The Catahoula Bulldog became known for the endurance and agility that ranchers and hunters loved. It became talented at catching hogs and hunting bears successfully. In 1951, Tom Stodghill, the founder of the Animal Research Foundation, started the breed registry. In 1968, Bart Perry, a Midlothian, Texas-based breeder, received the first official recognition from the Animal Research Foundation for crossbreeding the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog to the American Bulldog. Its strong hunting instincts were not overlooked. With time, the breed became popular with local ranchers and its popularity soared. The Catahoula Bulldog is not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club due to its hybrid status.