According to one legend going back to the 16 th century, military
leaders in Europe crossed two breeds, the Greman shepherd and the Doberman, and this resulted in what came to be known
as the European War Dog.
The way the story is told, Charles V ( 1500-1558), ruler of Spain and Spanish
America, used these War Dogs to help drive the French out of Italy, conquer Tunis, and defeat Barbarossa, the terror of the
Mediterranean.
According to the story written by the late R.T. Bonnette, a newspapper reporter
near Catahoula Paris in Louisiana, there was a 19-year old soldier in Emperor Charles' army who took serveral litters of European
War Dogs to Peru. This was back in the time of Francisco Pizarro, conquerer of the Incan empire. The dogs played a fanged
role in it and when Spain annexed, the War Dogs were there too. They went wherever there was a need for courage, strength,
cunning, and terrible speed. In 1539, Fernando De Soto, was as hungry for an empire of gold as most all dogs who dream of
bone heaven. The famous explorer anchored in Tampa Bay with 600 men and about 100 War Dogs.
Two years later, De Soto finally reached the Mississippi River, crossed it,
didn't find the Promised Land, was wounded in battle with Indians, contracted a fever, and died. His men weighted his body,
and dropped it into the river so that it could not be found.
As the explorers staggled south, they failed to gather up all the War Dogs.
According to Cajun Bonnette, the warrior's best friend wandered in the wilderness and had the good sense to survive by obeying
natural instincts.
So what do you get when you cross a Europena War Dog with a WOLF?
You get aCatahoula Cur, named for the Catahoula Indians in what is now Catahoula
Parish, Louisiana.
By their bouble glassed eyes, you'll always remember the Catahoula Curr.
Depth of stare. Round head. Loyalty and commitment to the notion that tough jobs require tough dogs.
This is according to the April Issue of Kentucky Living in an interview with
Dub and Judy Allen. The reporter was David Dick of The University of Kentucky.
