 Barked: Sun Nov 25, '12 3:02pm PST |
 | |  | | Otis, I really hope if you don't mind that I talk frank. To start, I am a co chair of a rescue that has done a lot of work out of Louisiana. The rescue's director, who has also posted here, comes from there and founded the rescue in that state. I am the adoptions counselor, the behavioral mod person and also the resident all breed expert. As for the rescue director, she's been surrounded by many a Catahoula. We have placed quite a few successfully, and they have run the gamut. One was Louie, who was a very promising rather classic "loco head" Catahoula who now thrives in his multi dog household, but his owner WANTED a challenge. And is now divorced 
You need to consider bringing this dog back. You are not a match, from what your lifestyle and expectations are. You don't need to be a saint. If the dog is not right, there is a rescue willing to take him back and find a more suitable placement. The dog is safe, she is fine. Dog aggression is not uncommon, particularly of the SSA ilk. They also are a very territorial breed, which can up your problems. That she has also suggested resource guarding also ups concern.
You asked this question...."We just don't know where to draw the line between innate demeanor and behavior that might change over time."
Your answer there is to know your breed and its potential. You are free to, I invite you, to hit Google and search Catahoula temperament, and I think then you get your answer. She is acting like a Catahoula, and thereby is far more likely to be showing truer breed characteristics.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. |  |  | |  |
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). We have a lot of dogs in "our world" - dog park for Otis daily, dogs of family members, etc. Some small children too (nieces, nephews < 4 yo). She made a trip to the dog park and did fine - mostly observed. We took her to the family farm and she did fine with 5/6 of the dogs. Got into one pretty serious scuffle with a young Golden. There was a toy involved so we wrote it off. Today at the dog park she was completely unprovoked and VERY aggressive towards a new dog at the park. If we hadn't held her when he came in and then kept her on a leash for a few minutes until leaving I don't think it would have ended well. She has some scars and is missing part of an ear... so she has not had an easy life.
