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Registries and their standards as pertains to the natural bobtail
The ARF - American Research Foundation
First to register the Catahoula in 1951. Their standard recognizes both the longtail and the bobtail Catahoula.
“A natural bobtail is not uncommon, and is recognized as part of this unique breed."
The LCCA - Lousiana Catahoula Cur Assoc. est. 1976 (No longer active an a registry)
Their standard reads - “Natural bobtails occur on occasion in the breed and should not be penalized”
and “TAIL: Natural length, if that is full length or any other length that is natural.”
The ACA - American Catahoula Assoc. (Not a registry)
The ACA recognizes the natural bobtail Catahoula, stating in their standard-
“The tail should have a medium to high set. Natural bob-tails occur occasionally and this trait shall not
be penalized."
NALC - National Association of the Louisiana Catahoula est. 1977 (Currently the main Catahoula registry) The specifics of the original standard did not fault a natural bobtail. However, in 1984 it was decided that the bobtail would now be considered a “fault”. In 1995 the NALC standard was revised to state that the bobtail was a “serious fault. Being that the NALC has grown to become the largest and most widely spread Catahoula registry, the bobtail Catahoulas have greatly declined in numbers.
UKC - United Kennel Club
When the UKC started their “Cur & Feist” program in 1995 they adopted the NALC standard for the Catahoula,including listing the natural bobtail as a “serious fault”. In 2000 the trait was changed to a “fault”. The UKC has recently revised their Catahoula standard effective Jan, 1, 2008 - the bobtail will no longer be faulted.
The new standard reads -
- The tail is a natural extension of the topline. It is thicker at the base, and tapers to the tip. Natural bob tails are permitted, but not preferred. The natural bob tail, regardless of length, will taper in width from base to tip. A full length tail may be carried upright with the tip curving forward when the dog is moving or alert. When the dog is relaxed, the tail hangs naturally, reaching to the hock joint. Catahoulas should be allowed to carry their tails naturally when being shown. Exhibitors should not hold tails upright.
Faults: Ring tail; docked tail.
Disqualification: Complete absence of a tail (no external coccygeal vertebrae evident.)
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