SIZE-Males should measure 22-26 inches. Females should measure 20-24 inches.
HEAD-The head should be powerfully built with well developed cheeks. Skull: The dog should have a broad top skull with well defined stop being moderate in length. Eyes: Glass- eyes are preferred; although, the eyes may be of any color or combination of colors. The eyes do not have to be the same color and may have partial glass in one or both eyes, commonly called "cracks". Serious Faults:Any malformed or acentric pupil formation of the eyes. Ears: The ears should be short to medium in length with the top of the ear being set level or slightly below the top of the head. Properly hung ears wwith the inner edge of the ear lying close to the cheek are preferred. "Laid-back ears are acceptable. Fault:Flyaway or houndish ears. Disqualification:Cropped ears Muzzle:The muzzle shoul be strong deep and approximately equal in length to the top of the skull as measured from the stop to the occiput bone. The muzzle should be broad at the base and taper toward the nose when viewed from the front.Bite:The bite should be a strong scissor bite with a level bite being acceptable. Complete dentition is greatly desired; however broken teeth are not to be faulted. Serious Fault: animals having overshot or undershot bites.
NECK AND BODY-Neck: The neck should be muscular and of good length. Body: The back should be strong and well muscled, level and of medium length. The chest should be deep reaching below the elbow. The chest should be fairly broad with well sprung ribs. The underline should have a tuck up in the loin area to a moderate degree. Fault: Dogs that are oversized and undersized.
FOREQUARTERS -The length of the foreleg should be 50-60% of the total height of the dog as measured from the ground to the top of the withers. The shoulders should be well laid back with an upper arm bone of ample length.The foreleg should be moderately far apart and the front feet sshould niether toe in or out. Feet: The feet should be strong and moderate in length. Good webbing between the toes should be evident. Dew claws may be present or removed but if present should be uniform. Fault: Cat-footed or coon-footed dogs. HINDQUARTERS - The croup should be medium to long in length and slightly sloping with the tail having a medium to high set. The stifles should be well angulated and the hocks should be set low to the ground. The hocks should niether be turned in nor out wwhen viewed from the rear. Serious fault: Dogs being either natural bobtail or having the tail docked.
GAIT - The gait should be smooth and effortless denoting agility. Single tracking at a trot is acceotable
COAT AND COLOR - The coat length shoul be short to medium in length. Leopards are preferred and may come in blue, gray, black, liver, red, white,and patched. Trim may be black, white, red, or buff. Solid colors acceptable are black, yellow, red, and choclate. Disqualification: Long or fuzzy coated dogs.
TEMPERMENT - Independent, protective and territorial and may show aggressive behavior. Signs of timidity shoul not be taken as cowardance but the intolerance for strangers.
ORIGIN AND PURPOSE - Originated in the territory of
Louisiana, USA. The dog is used as a stock dog, tree dog,
watch and guard dog, and also as a companion dog.
