Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Golden Retriever. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Catahoula Leopard Dog Versus Golden 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 Golden Retriever? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Golden 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 Golden Retriever.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Golden 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 Golden Retriever. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Golden 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 Golden Retriever.

Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Golden Retriever

Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Golden Retriever: Overview

A very important difference between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Golden Retriever is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Catahoula Leopard Dog is a large-sized dog while the Golden 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 Golden 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 Golden Retriever: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Catahoula Leopard Dog to the Golden 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Golden Retriever

Factor Catahoula Leopard Dog Golden Retriever
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 2/5
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 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 5/5
Height 20 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Weight 50 to 90 pounds 55 to 75 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $650 $1870
Price Range $400 – $800 $1500 – $2200
Temperament Score 78.6 percent 85.6 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination (evaluations annually for the dog`s lifetime)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • 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 Golden 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 the Catahoula Leopard Dog is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Golden Retriever is 73 out of 125.

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

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

  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not get along well with other dogs. However, Golden Retrievers get along well with other dogs.
  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Golden Retrievers are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not have the tendency to drool. However, Golden Retrievers have a very high tendency to drool.
  • 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, Golden 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 are not easy to train. However, Golden Retrievers are very easy to train.
  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs not very playful. However, Golden Retrievers are very playful.
  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs are very easy to groom. However, Golden Retrievers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Golden Retriever

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

  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Golden Retriever do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Golden Retriever do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Golden 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 Golden Retriever are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Golden Retriever require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Golden Retriever

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Golden 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, Golden Retrievers weigh 55 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Golden Retrievers are 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Golden Retriever

    The lifespan of Catahoula Leopard Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Catahoula Leopard Dogs is 12.0 years.

    The lifespan of Golden Retrievers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Golden Retrievers is 11.0 years.

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs live longer than Golden Retrievers.

    Temperament of the Catahoula Leopard Dog Versus the Golden Retriever

    The Golden Retriever has a better temperament than the Catahoula Leopard Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Golden Retriever is 85.6 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 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 85.6 percent, the Golden Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Golden Retriever by measuring the temperaments of 14 Catahoula Leopard Dogs and 813 Golden Retrievers.

    Price of Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Price of Golden 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 Golden Retriever puppy is $1870. The price of the Golden Retriever typically ranges from $1500 – $2200. However, the price of the Golden Retriever can be as low as $100 and as high as $6500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2668 Golden Retriever puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Golden Retriever is more expensive than the Catahoula Leopard Dog.

    Catahoula Leopard Dog Golden Retriever
    Average Price $650 $1870
    Price Range $400 to $800 $1500 to $2200

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Catahoula Leopard Dog and Golden Retriever. For different price points, the charts show how many Catahoula Leopard Dog puppies or how many Golden 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 Golden Retrievers

    A breakdown of the prices of Golden Retrievers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Catahoula Leopard Dog puppy or the Golden 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Golden Retriever

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Golden Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Catahoula Leopard Dogs shed more than Golden Retrievers?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs shed moderately.

    Golden Retrievers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Golden Retriever

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

    Golden Retrievers have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Golden Retriever?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Golden Retrievers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Catahoula Leopard Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Golden 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.

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

    Do Catahoula Leopard Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Golden Retrievers?

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

    Golden Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Catahoula Leopard Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Golden Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Golden Retrievers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Catahoula Leopard Dog vs. Golden Retriever

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

    Golden Retrievers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Catahoula Leopard Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Golden Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Golden Retrievers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

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

    Golden Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Catahoula Leopard Dogs good family dogs? What about Golden Retrievers?

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

    Golden Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Catahoula Leopard Dogs and Golden Retrievers?

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

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

    Is the Catahoula Leopard Dog Easier to Train than the Golden Retriever?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not easy to train.

    Golden Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Is the Catahoula Leopard Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Golden Retriever?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Golden Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Golden Retriever?

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

    Golden Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Golden 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 Golden Retriever:

  • Aussiedoodle (74 percent match with Golden Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Catahoula Leopard Dog vs Aussiedoodle.
  • Irish Setter (72 percent match with Golden Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Catahoula Leopard Dog vs Irish Setter.
  • Labrador Retriever (75 percent match with Golden Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Catahoula Leopard Dog vs Labrador Retriever.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Catahoula Leopard Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Chorkie     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Maremma Sheepdog     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Shichon     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Cocker Spaniel     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Puggle     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus King Shepherd     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Cesky Terrier     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Finnish Spitz     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Boykin Spaniel     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Irish Water Spaniel     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Miniature Pinscher     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Cane Corso     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Japanese Chin     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Cavapoo     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Mastiff     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Shiba Inu     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Shiranian     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Samoyed     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Mudi     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Boerboel     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Standard Schnauzer     

    Golden Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Golden Retriever versus Doberman Pinscher     Golden Retriever versus Goldendoodle     Golden Retriever versus Cane Corso     Golden Retriever versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Golden Retriever versus Toy Fox Terrier     Golden Retriever versus Basenji     Golden Retriever versus Finnish Lapphund     Golden Retriever versus Norwegian Buhund     Golden Retriever versus Leonberger     Golden Retriever versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Golden Retriever versus Portuguese Water Dog     Golden Retriever versus English Springer Spaniel     Golden Retriever versus Gordon Setter     Golden Retriever versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Golden Retriever versus Giant Schnauzer     Golden Retriever versus Chinook     Golden Retriever versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Golden Retriever versus Doberman Pinscher     Golden Retriever versus Xoloitzcuintli     Golden Retriever versus Lhasa Apso     Golden Retriever versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Golden Retriever versus Leonberger     Golden Retriever versus Australian Cattle Dog     Golden Retriever versus Australian Shepherd     

    Conclusion: Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Golden 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 Golden Retriever better suits you and your family.