Sisu Catahoulas

10/13/2024

Drama and I keep plugging along.

Yesterday we completed the Wolf Lake 5k in Brighton, MI.

The costume was "Bad Ideas" which included running with scissors and doing a 5k after walking 18,000 steps at work. Yet somehow we were still 30 seconds faster than last weekend when I hadn't walked 8 miles first. Hey, progress is progress.

The race was so much more popular this year that they ran out of finisher medals and I ended up with one with last year's date on it.

The best part of the whole thing was people complementing me on Drama being so well behaved and polite. I have no idea why racing clicked so well for her, but we'll keep doing it even if we're slow to make progress.

10/09/2024

We completed the Midwest Canine Obstacle Run at The Woods Fitness Park on Sunday, didn't skip any obstacles, and still didn't finish dead last. I had a great time and Drama seemed to enjoy herself. These pics are after we got cleaned up. We were so wet and dirty.

10/05/2024

Great day today. I took Drama for a 5k trail race with the goal of finishing and maybe even coming in dead last. We finished and were pretty close to that second goal.

Drama was phenomenal and really just needs a faster runner. She passed other racers cleanly and kept her lines tight. She was strong out of the chute, running flat out for the first half mile as I tried to not land flat on my face keeping up with her.

We're currently working on North American Canicross titles as she can stay active in "retirement" while I learn the ropes to get her kids off to a good start.

Tomorrow we tackle the Midwest Canine Obstacle Run, again with the goal of finishing and coming in dead last.

07/24/2024

On Sunday Drama and I took a short break from the puppies to go do the walking event at MRM Racing's Summer Breeze 5k. My work schedule limits what I can do on Saturdays, which is when most events happen.

This was the first 5k event I've done. I did a Volksmarch with Ranger many years ago, but this was a bit different.

I didn't go out expecting to do much more than finish, but we did well, winning my age group for women. Considering Drama had her puppies via c-section (and a spay) just 12 weeks ago I couldn't be happier with how she bounced back.

Shout out to the race crew for putting on a great event and also a huge thank you to my friend Lara Mahr for letting me know about it.

06/24/2024

The puppies are now 8 weeks old. They're all super confident and learning new things every day.

"Nova" the black and tan female and "Foxfire" the dark blue female have had lots of attention, but are still looking for their permanent spots. DM for more information if interested. These girls need to go to working homes.

"Umbra" the black tricolor is preparing for his journey to his new home.

"Asta" the blaze face girl couldn't shake being called "blaze face girl" so we decided that's permanent. Sisu's Trailblazer, aka "Blaze."

"Blue Moon" also decided he needs to stay here. My Dad named him for a character from Lord of the Rings, his and my mom's favorite book series. He'll be "Strider" as he's a Ranger of the North (Sisu's Strider).

Bullhead Catahoulas
J Cross Catahoulas

06/14/2024

Baldr did a thing.

New RUSH Precision Coursing title for Baldr at UKC’s Premier. Owned by Amanda Tikkanen

MWPP AP VPN RUSH RACEE UWPCH EGCH Warrior River’s Baldr SPOT-ON (Havoc x Talon)

06/12/2024

I introduced the puppies to very short tracks (10-15 feet) using pig blood and liver. I set miss Nova down and she took right to the game.

06/08/2024

The puppies love playing with their toys and obstacles, as well as being unholy terrors.

05/23/2024

The weather was great, so the puppies enjoyed exploring the yard and investigating the world. They also tried stacking, but mostly it was like trying to hold Jell-o.

Not pictured: Drama feeding them in a hole she dug under my truck.

05/21/2024

The puppies are starting to act like tiny dogs. They play, paw at each other, growl, and bark. They're also starting to show their personality.

They started on puppy gruel yesterday and took to it without any problem. They should graduate to puppy mush by the weekend as they now have their teeth coming in.

Drama encouraged them to escape the whelping box on Monday. When the weather is not cooperating they have a nice little play pen set up indoors. They have a crate to get them used to crates. They have toys as well as a nice comfy blanket. I had a play tunnel in for a hot minute and replaced it with the crate.

To keep them contained but also allow Drama to check on them we had to install a tiny coyote roller at the gate.

05/12/2024

Drama is being a really good momma, so on Mother's Day I had to shoo her away for a few minutes so I could finally take some pictures! They're growing like weeds—all are at least three pounds at two weeks old. They all have their eyes open and are trying to play, but mostly still tumble and gum each other. I had to wake them up from naps and they were still pretty hard to keep still.

04/30/2024

Saturday started early with what I expected to be a routine labor and the arrival of a little pack of puppies.

Things went sideways pretty quickly and, while Dr. Michelle at Dawson Hollow Catahoulas did an AMAZING job helping me over the phone, Drama needed more help than I could give her at home. We rushed Drama to Animal Emergency and Specialty Hospital of Grand Rapids where the staff quickly determined Drama's puppy was too big to get out without help. The staff did a great job and saved all five puppies and Drama via emergency c-section, spay, and supportive care.

Everyone came home the same day. The puppies are all fat little monsters (and they really ARE monsters—the smallest were the blue leopard girls, both coming in at a pound even) and are all eating well. Drama is so proud of her little family and is being a great mom.

The final count is three girls and two boys. Red, orange, and pink are the girls. Blue and purple are the boys.

I'll get better pictures and individual pictures when the fuzzy potatoes are more cooperative.

Bullhead Catahoulas
J Cross Catahoulas

04/25/2024

Drama had her puppy count X-ray on April 20th with her expected due date being the 26th, +/- two days. The team at Family Friends says to expect five (which matches thr ultrasound estimate of four or five), so any time we'll welcome these little spitfires into the world.

04/02/2024

Four weeks post breeding. She's getting big! I think she's carting around more than four. Two and a half weeks until we get the X-ray for a puppy count.

03/26/2024

Looks like at least 4! I'm super excited to meet these little alligators in a month.

03/08/2024

Drama placed 2nd in 1-dog B-Bay, 4th in 2-dog B-Bay with littermate Trek, and won High Point Female at the 2023 NALC-LA trial.

02/27/2024

Drama was bred to Oslo, so now it's just a waiting game until we can confirm pregnancy in a few weeks. With a little cooperation from Mother Nature (because science has done all it can do) puppies are due April 26.

This does mean we won't be traveling to the spring NALC show as it's the weekend before she's due.

I'm so very excited to see the next generation.

12/11/2023

What is a Catahoula Leopard Dog?

The Catahoula Leopard Dog, often referred to simply as the Catahoula, is a distinctive and versatile breed known for its striking appearance and versatility as both a stock and hunting dog. Originating in Louisiana (US), the Catahoula has a unique history deeply rooted in the region's cultural heritage. The breed's origins can be traced back to the 17th century when French explorers introduced dogs (possibly Beacueron) to the Gulf Coast region, including what is now Louisiana. These dogs interbred with Native American dogs, creating a line of versatile working dogs suited for the swampy terrain.

The Catahoula's name is derived from Catahoula Parish in Louisiana, where the breed became popular among farmers, ranchers, and hunters. Over time, the Catahoula developed into a breed known for its diverse skills, including herding cattle, driving livestock, hunting wild game, and even trailing and treeing racc**ns. One of the distinctive features of the Catahoula is its unique coat patterns, which can include merle, brindle, solid colors, and patches of different hues. Their eyes can also be strikingly multicolored or "cracked" with marbled blue, brown, or amber colors.

These dogs possess a strong work ethic, intelligence, and a natural instinct for herding and hunting. They are highly adaptable and excel in various tasks, making them valuable assets on farms and ranches. Today, Catahoula Leopard Dogs continue to be appreciated for their working abilities, intelligence, and loyalty. They make devoted and protective family companions but require early socialization, training, and regular exercise due to their high energy levels and strong instincts.

Go check out the National Association of Louisiana Catahoulas for more information:
https://www.nalc-inc.org/nalc-standard

12/11/2023

A few months ago I decided that Drama would retire from UKC Conformation with her Ruby Grand Champion title or 25 Total Dog awards, whichever came first.

On Sunday she earned her RGCH and retired with one last Group win. Coincidentally, this is the same judge who gave her her last win for her GRCH when she was just shy of a year old.

For fun she also picked up two Reserve Best Veteran in show awards. Drama loves to show, so she'll still get to take a spin around the veteran ring from time to time.

She's had a show career anyone would be proud of and I'm glad she brought me along for the ride.

MWPP BIS RBIS RBIMBS BVIS RBVIS DASH RACES UWPS AP5 VPE UWPCHX RGCH Sisu’s Drama Queen, SPOT-ON

22x UKC Total Dog

2017 UKC Conformation Top Ten #4
2017 UKC Conformation Top Ten Best of Breed
2021 UKC Conformation Top Ten #6

NALC pointed—conformation and B-Bay

11/08/2023

Warrior River has an upcoming litter that will be full siblings to my Baldr. Please contact Warrior River if interested.

UWPV VPA AP UWPCH GRCH NALC TD-CH NKC TRCH FCH CH Cross Check’s Warrior River Havoc x UWP RATI CA UNJ CH NALC PT’D NKC FCH WCH CH TRCH Warrior River Talon

Due First Week of Dec • NALC/UKC/NKC Registered

Havoc and Talon have proven time and time again to be solid using dogs, regardless of the task. They have been excellent tree dogs, have helped recover wounded game, bayed their own hogs in the woods, and worked more livestock than can be recounted. Both dogs have neutral, intelligent, trainable temperaments and they have excelled at numerous dogs sports as well as their natural working abilities. Both dogs have also preformed well in the trial ring; Havoc is a multiple time NALC Top Ten Tree Dog & NALC HI POINT Tree Dog winner and Talon is currently NALC pointed in conformation, treeing, and b bay. Havoc is also a multiple time Group 1 winner in the UKC show ring, and has been ranked in the UKC Top Ten breed standings during his show career; he is also OFA EXCELLENT

This will be a repeat of our 2018 breeding that produced a versatile and proven litter of cow dogs, c**n dogs, hog dogs, tracking dogs, sport dogs, and trial dogs

• CA RACEN UWP UJJ CH NKC TRCH FCH WCH GRCH NALC Pt’d Warrior River Freya HTX CGC TKN DJ BCAT SD1 TL1 UL1 *NALC HI POINT WINNER *FIRST & ONLY HTX TITLED CATAHOULA
• RACEN CA URO1 UJJ CH NALC Pt’d Warrior River Rougarroux * NALC HI POINT WINNER
• DASH MWPP AP VPN RACEE UWPCH EGRCH NALC Pt’d NKC Pt’d Warrior River’s Baldr SPOT-ON *MULTIPLE TIME UKC TOP TEN CATAHOULA
• UWP URO1 UNJ CH NKC CH Warrior River Top Gun CGC TKN RN DJ RATN
• NN AC CH Warrior River Shireen FCAT11 ATT SWNE SWA FITG CGC TKN
• GRCH NKC CH Warrior River Chieftain *UKC GROUP 1 WINNER
• CH Warrior River Gumption

Any availabilities will be to working and performance homes only

11/05/2023

Another weight pull weekend in the books!

I hauled down to Illinois with Trek and Drama to spend several days playing in the dirt with the crew at Southtown K9 We did six pulls in three days. Both dogs had some hiccups on day one with each only getting one qualifying pull. Once they got they got themselves sorted out they did a great job. Both dogs finished up with 70 points (two 10 pt, two 15 pt, and one 20 point pull each) on natural surface. Trek won 80 # Division B five times. Drama won 60 # Division B three times and placed third twice.

Drama earned: Versatile Puller Excellent (VPE–5 qualifying pulls on each of three different surfaces), United Weight Puller Supreme (UWPS–100 Champion points on each of three surfaces) and her AP5 (a grand total of 50 qualifying pulls after earning her UWP title).

Trek earned his UWPS as well as his AP7 (70 qualifying pulls after earning his UWP title). I'm especially pleased with Trek bouncing back so well after his recent injuries and illness.

MWPP RBVIS RACEM UWPS AP7 VPE UGWPCH GRCH Sisu’s Trekker, SPOT-ON, 10x UKC Total Dog

MWPP BIS RBIS RBIMBS BVIS DASH RACES UWPS AP5 VPE UWPCHX EGCH Sisu’s Drama Queen, SPOT-ON, 22x UKC Total Dog

10/18/2023

When Drama did her 1-dog B-bay run in Louisiana I described it as "Ranger went in and bayed and Halo called right out."

Then this past weekend she pulled on rails and looked just like Ranger and Ranger's mother Slinky.

09/05/2023

UKC All-Breed Sports "Fast Tips" for Weight Pull. The red leopard in the teal, orange, and black harness you see is none other than our very own Trek doing what he's best at!

MWPP RACEM UWPO AP6 VPE UGWPCH GRCH Sisu’s Trekker, SPOT-ON, 10x UKC Total Dog

In this video we take a look at the UKC Weight Pull program, with helpful information from Weight Pull Judge Valerie Piltz, we take a look at how the sport w...

07/17/2023

The boys and I made a quick jaunt to Shipshewana today to compete at a UKC Total Dog Invitational regional qualifying event hosted by the All American Bulldog Club, United LCLD Club, K9 Fanciers, and Trail Creek Dog Training Club. I was only able to make the last day of the four day cluster, but it was still worth it.

Trek came home with 10 more points toward UEWPCH and a 4th place in his weight class. He qualified for Total Dog (and earned another half leg toward his EGCH) by winning the Grand Champion class (and then getting Reserve GRCH in show 2 for assurance).

Baldr got two runs in Precision Coursing on the Elite Course. Along with his Grand class win he also qualified for Total Dog and earned a half leg toward EGCH. He went on to Best of Breed and a Group 3.

This ticks Trek's Total Dog count into double digits (10) with Baldr right behind him with 9.

We also got to hang out with our good friend Michelle at Dawson Hollow Catahoulas, who had an amazing weekend with her whole crew (including Baldr's half-sister Nook).

06/19/2023

I took the boys to UKC Premier this year. Baldr got qualifying runs in both his DASH runs and got to be a demo dog for Precision Coursing. No love for him in the show ring, so unfortunately no Total Dog for him this year.

Trek was coming back from a couple of injuries, so I took it slow with him in weight pull just to make sure he didn't overdo it. Day one I held him back, but he still got a 10 point pull and 2nd in his weight class. After that he just hammed it up and made friends all weekend. On Days 2-4 he won his weight class every day with 20, 15, and 15 point pulls, respectively, as well as finishing his AP6 title. I can't complain one little bit. He'll be pulling as a veteran soon and that doesn't hardly seem possible.