Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Flat-Coated Retriever. Final Verdict on Which is a Better Pet.

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Catahoula Leopard Dog Versus Flat-Coated Retriever: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and for the Flat-Coated Retriever. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Flat-Coated Retriever

Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Flat-Coated Retriever: Overview

A very important difference between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Catahoula Leopard Dog is a large-sized dog while the Flat-Coated Retriever is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Catahoula Leopard Dog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

On the other hand, the Flat-Coated Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Flat-Coated Retriever: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Catahoula Leopard Dog to the Flat-Coated Retriever based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Factor Catahoula Leopard Dog Flat-Coated Retriever
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 14 years 10 to 12 years
Easygoing 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 5/5
Height 20 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Weight 50 to 90 pounds 55 to 70 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $650 $1350
Price Range $400 – $800 $1150 – $1800
Temperament Score 78.6 percent 92.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Catahoula Leopard Dog in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Flat-Coated Retriever. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for a Catahoula Leopard Dog is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Flat-Coated Retriever is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Flat-Coated Retriever is a better pet than the Catahoula Leopard Dog. So, you should get the Flat-Coated Retriever!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever

    Below is a list of where the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever are most different:

  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not get along well with other dogs. However, Flat-Coated Retrievers get along well with other dogs.
  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Flat-Coated Retrievers are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle. However, Flat-Coated Retrievers are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs not very playful. However, Flat-Coated Retrievers are very playful.
  • The Similarities Between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever

    The Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever are most similar:

  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Flat-Coated Retriever

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever.

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs weigh 50 to 90 pounds when fully grown. Catahoula Leopard Dogs are 20 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Flat-Coated Retrievers weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Flat-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Catahoula Leopard Dog Versus the Flat-Coated Retriever

    The Flat-Coated Retriever has a better temperament than the Catahoula Leopard Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Flat-Coated Retriever is 92.0 percent while the temperament score for the Catahoula Leopard Dog is 78.6 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and they are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 78.6 percent, the Catahoula Leopard Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 92.0 percent, the Flat-Coated Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever by measuring the temperaments of 14 Catahoula Leopard Dogs and 87 Flat-Coated Retrievers.

    Price of Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Price of Flat-Coated Retriever

    The average price of the Catahoula Leopard Dog puppy is $650. The price of the Catahoula Leopard Dog typically ranges from $400 – $800. However, the price of a Catahoula Leopard Dog can be as low as $100 and as high as $1650. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 247 Catahoula Leopard Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy is $1350. The price of the Flat-Coated Retriever typically ranges from $1150 – $1800. However, the price of a Flat-Coated Retriever can be as low as $100 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 8 Flat-Coated Retriever puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Flat-Coated Retriever is more expensive than the Catahoula Leopard Dog.

    Catahoula Leopard Dog Flat-Coated Retriever
    Average Price $650 $1350
    Price Range $400 to $800 $1150 to $1800

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Catahoula Leopard Dog and Flat-Coated Retriever. For different price points, the charts show how many Catahoula Leopard Dog puppies or how many Flat-Coated Retriever puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Catahoula Leopard Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Catahoula Leopard Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers

    A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Catahoula Leopard Dog puppy or the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Adopting the Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Adopting the Flat-Coated Retriever

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Catahoula Leopard Dogs and many Flat-Coated Retrievers are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Catahoula Leopard Dog named Charlie that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Catahoula Leopard Dogs like Charlie on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Catahoula Leopard Dogs, Flat-Coated Retrievers are also available for adoption. For example, Kaluha is a Male Flat-Coated Retriever that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Flat-Coated Retrievers like Kaluha that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Also Palisade, an adorable Male Flat-Coated Retriever on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    You can find more Catahoula Leopard Dogs and Flat-Coated Retrievers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Is the Catahoula Leopard Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Which one drools more, the Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Flat-Coated Retriever

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Does the Catahoula Leopard Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Flat-Coated Retriever

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Is the Catahoula Leopard Dog Easier to Train than the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not easy to train.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Can Catahoula Leopard Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Catahoula Leopard Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    How Kid-friendly are Catahoula Leopard Dogs and Flat-Coated Retrievers?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Do Catahoula Leopard Dogs shed more than Flat-Coated Retrievers?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs shed moderately.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.

    Do Catahoula Leopard Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Flat-Coated Retrievers?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Wanderlust Potential: Catahoula Leopard Dog vs. Flat-Coated Retriever

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Are Catahoula Leopard Dogs good family dogs? What about Flat-Coated Retrievers?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Catahoula Leopard Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Catahoula Leopard Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Catahoula Leopard Dog:

  • Chesapeake Bay Retriever (73 percent match with Catahoula Leopard Dog). Here is our comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever vs Chesapeake Bay Retriever.
  • Hovawart (78 percent match with Catahoula Leopard Dog). Here is our comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever vs Hovawart.
  • Boerboel (72 percent match with Catahoula Leopard Dog). Here is our comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever vs Boerboel.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Flat-Coated Retriever:

  • Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (81 percent match with Flat-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Catahoula Leopard Dog vs Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Catahoula Leopard Dog and how the Flat-Coated Retriever compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Catahoula Leopard Dog and of the Flat-Coated Retriever to other breeds:

    Catahoula Leopard Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Puggle     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Chorkie     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Bluetick Coonhound     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Saint Bernard     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Havanese     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Bearded Collie     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Frenchton     

    Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Flat-Coated Retriever versus Clumber Spaniel     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Schipperke     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Basenji     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Beagle     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Biewer Terrier     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Chow Chow     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     

    Conclusion: Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Flat-Coated Retriever. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Flat-Coated Retriever better suits you and your family.