How big do Catahoula Leopard Dogs get? What is the average weight of a Catahoula? At what age are Catahoulas fully-grown? In this article, we’re going to answer all of your questions about the Catahoula Leopard Dog size and growth patterns. What’s more, we’ve also created an interactive Catahoula Leopard Dog size chart and growth calculator, which is an easy, helpful tool for all Catahoula puppy parents. Without further ado, let’s dig in!
Our handy interactive puppy growth chart and calculator takes all the hard work out of predicting your puppy’s potential adult size. This helps you to know exactly what you are in for.
Psst! Check Out These Awesome Puppy Things!
Historically originated in the state of Louisiana, the Catahoula Leopard Dog is one of the most distinctive looking breeds with its many various coat patterns and beautifully colored eyes. As you might guess, the name “leopard” comes from its so-called leopard markings on the coat. If you’ve already fallen in love with this breed for its beautiful looks, you’ll be dazzled by their amazing personality and temperament. Although Catahoulas are known to come with an independent streak, they’re very loving and playful pups who are eager to learn new things and tricks. But what most future dog owners want to know is, how big do Catahoula Leopard Dogs get…?
Catahoula Leopard Dog Size Predictions: How Big Do Catahoula Leopard Dogs Get?
The Catahoula Leopard Dog is a medium to large sized breed with an average weight of 50 to 90 pounds and an average height of 22 to 24 inches. That’s not to say that all Catahoulas fall exactly within this size range. In fact, some puppies can be slightly larger and some slightly smaller than the AKC and UKC breed standards. All in all, a Catahoula’s height and weight should be in proportion to each other, and you should always keep a close eye on your pup’s weight, as being over or underweight can indicate or lead to various health concerns.
Additionally, this is why it’s particularly important that your Catahoula Leopard puppy gets the correct nourishment he needs to grow that adorable little body into a healthy adult one. Check out these guides on best dog food for puppies here.
Speaking of which, a Catahoula’s size is influenced by various factors, such as their gender, diet, how much they exercise, and the size of its parents. For example, we advise any dog owner against free feeding their pup (unless your dog is pregnant, nursing, or going through an illness), as this can lead to malnourishment or obesity. Additionally, the size of a Catahoula’s parents can also be a great indicator of the size of the puppies.
Are There Different Sizes Of Catahoula Leopard Dogs?
Like with many other similar-sized breeds, there can be slight variation between male and female Catahoulas. Namely, males can be slightly taller and heavier than females, but it’s not always the case.
Here are the average Catahoula Leopard Dog size predictions for male and female dogs:
Male Catahoula Leopard Dog | Female Catahoula Leopard Dog | |
Weight | 65-90 pounds | 50-65 pounds |
Height | 22-26 inches | 20-24 inches |
When Full-Grown? | 13-18 months old | 13-18 months old |
*A dog’s height is measured from the withers, also known as their shoulder blades.
As we can learn from the Catahoula Leopard Dog size chart above, male Catahoula Leopard Dogs usually weigh between 65 and 90 pounds and have an average height of 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder. On the other hand, female Catahoulas tend to weigh between 50 and 65 pounds and stand 20 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder.
Catahoula Leopard Dog Size Charts & Growth Patterns – Month Wise
Catahoula Leopard Dogs experience the fastest growth in their first 6 months from birth. By that time, they’ve usually reached over half their adult weight and a bigger portion of their adult height. After that, their growth will start to gradually slow down, until it plateaus at their full-grown size around 13 to 18 months of age. However, bigger Catahoulas may take even up to 2 years to fully mature.
Let’s take a look at the average Catahoula Leopard Dog size chart by age:
Age | 3 months | 6 months | 12 months | 18 months |
Weight | 19-35 pounds | 37-65 pounds | 48-80 pounds | 50-90 pounds |
Height | 9-14 inches | 15-19 inches | 20-26 inches | 20-26 inches |
Looking at the Catahoula Leopard Dog size chart above, we see that by 3 months old they’ve already reached about ⅓ of their adult weight and about half of their adult height. By 6 months old, their weight has almost doubled and they’ve now reached about ¾ of their adult height. At 12 months old, we can expect a Catahoula Leopard Dog to have reached its full height and smaller Catahoulas are now almost at their adult weight. We can typically expect a Catahoula Leopard Dog to finish growing by the time they’re 18 months old.
Tip for Catahoula puppy parents: If you’d like to predict your Catahoula’s full-grown size and track their growth from birth to adulthood, make sure you check out our interactive Catahoula Leopard Dog size chart and growth calculator! Simply enter your pup’s current weight in pounds and current age in weeks, and our calculator will reveal the results.
Catahoula Leopard Dog Size: Frequently Asked Questions
How Big Do Catahoula Leopard Dogs Get?
The average Catahoula Leopard size ranges between 50 and 90 pounds in weight and around 22 to 24 inches in height. Male Catahoulas might sometimes be larger than females, with an average weight of 65 to 90 pounds and a height of 22 to 26 inches measured at the shoulder. Females typically weigh about 50 to 65 pounds and are 20 to 24 inches tall.
You can calculate their potential adult weight at 23 weeks by taking what they weigh at that age and multiplying it by two.
A different formula you could use is:
- Growth = current weight / current age in weeks
- Adult weight = Growth x 52 (number of weeks in one year)
So, for example, if your 12-week old pup weighs 18 pounds. You simply divide the current weight by their age in weeks and multiply the result with 52:
18/ 12 = 1.5
1.5 x 52= 78 pounds
78 pounds would be the expected weight of your adult-sized Catahoula Leopard.
Are Catahoulas Medium Or Large Dogs?
Catahoula Leopard Dogs are medium to large sized dogs with an athletic, muscular build. As there can be quite a size difference between Catahoulas, smaller ones are considered medium-sized, whereas heavier and taller Catahoulas reach the large-sized dog category. Regardless of their size, Catahoula Leopard Dogs are high energy pups who enjoy spending time outdoors. For this reason, we would recommend them to people who have a more spacious home and preferably with a fenced backyard.
To conclude, if you’ve ever seen a Catahoula Leopard Dog with your very own eyes, you know how absolutely gorgeous these dogs look. They’ve truly earned the “leopard” in their name, as their coats often come with distinct spots and markings. Not to mention, their piercing eyes are just enchanting. Of course, the Catahoula’s personality matches its beautiful exterior – they’re friendly, playful, and tend to form strong bonds with their humans.
Naturally, any future dog owner would have to be prepared for the next 10 to 15 years with their new fur baby and this includes knowing exactly what to expect in terms of their size. We hope our Catahoula Leopard Dog size guide has been a helpful resource, so you can face the upcoming years with this beautiful dog with full confidence.
Parents of Catahoula Leopard Dogs: How big is your pup? Let us know in the comments below!