Thursday, July 28, 2016

Temple Grandin: The world needs all kinds of minds

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Miracle II Soap for Our Animals

Horses, dogs, hogs, so may other uses like to clean us too!

We have all had skin issues in the past if we have animals.

That being said, it seems like this is a great tool in our control of fleas, ticks, mange, ear mites, and ticks, fungus infections, staph infection, etc.






What is interesting about this product is it kills fleas on contact, but if you use it regularly, it actually repels fleas and I just started using it so I am getting incredible effects and I need to share this so we can all start benefiting from my discovery. I dilute it and put it into a spray bottle as you can see below, and a little goes a long way when applying to my animals.





I got a gallon for about $50  with some shipping costs from miss daisy ....

http://www.missdaisyshealth.com/


click the link below to get some testimonials and product info

http://www.miraclesoap.com/testimonials_homegarden.htm#Animals

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Bull Creek Bay Pen ~ Saturday August 27, 2016


Countdown for bull creek begins! 5 more weeks! 

There is plenty of shade and plenty of camper space! 

We have a big ole field for campers to park in. You will need a generator tho! 

Bring your tents to put up beside the pen. 

Joey Todd 912 618 9487
Jordon Ganas 912 288 3431
Drew Todd 478 349 9079
Phillip Dickerson 912 665 3009


          
                        The concession stand will be open! We always have a wonderful time! 

                       So y'all come on and let's bay some dogs. VENDORS ARE WELCOME!
                      
                      If you let me know I will try to save all vendors a spot by pen or close to it!

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Texas Baydog Championship August 5th - 7th, 2016


Lavaca County Expo Arena
located at 449 CR 200 / PO Box 743
Hallettsville, Texas 77964



I love the great republic state of Texas for many reasons...






Two and a half weeks from now,
 this arena will be filled with some fine folks and a bunch of hog dogs!






There will be plenty of shade to park yourselves for the long weekend,

with hookups for 60 RVs

For booking reservations to camp or more info call 361-789-1600



                  and for more info on camping go here:  http://www.lavacaexpo.com/index.html




                                                Ohhhh, I just love Texas...



          If you got questions about the baying you can call or text Will Seger @ 713 822 0530



Sunday, July 10, 2016

Pure Bred vs Cross Bred

This is for everyone who thinks that pedigreed papered dogs are gauranteed to be better than crossbred. I know a lot of people are new to Catahoulas and are overwhelmed by the options in breeders, papers, pedigrees, and performance choices.

Below is a copy and paste from Renee Jackson's page on facebook:

 I've let the dust settle a couple of days...I was accused of trying to register my Catahoula/Hound cross Bud Light as a pure bred Catahoula with the Working Catahoula Association, an organization in which I serve as President. 




Also in these accusations, it was reported that I allowed him to also compete with and against the catahoulas at our work ethic trials. Most of you know that know me and most especially Bud Light, know that this preposterous!!! 


First and foremost, it would be un-ethical for me to do so, Secondly, Bud Light would in no way shape form or fashion EVER pass for a Catahoula. If his looks didn't give it away the hound bawl definitely would!!! 





It was also reported that I actively supported crossing catahoulas, this could be no further from the truth!! I do serve as a board member of the National Catahoula Bull Dog Association, but this is in an advisory capacity to make certain that the Catahoula portion of these dogs are represented in a correct manner.

 I also have taken advantage of the accidental crosses which resulted in my dog Bud Light and his 2 sons, Weiser and 10 oz. Did I willingly allow these crosses to happen - certainly not - but anyone that has handled dogs know that sometimes oops!!! do happen. I just chose to make the best of a bad situation! 




Will I breed Bud Light again? Yes indeed I damn sure will! I feel that so strongly that dogs of his cut should be reproduced that we are developing our own line of dogs, Shuka hounds...hog hounds.

 But this in no way, interferes with my Catahoula breeding program, nor my capacity to serve as President of the Working Catahoula Association. For the record, I am VERY proud of my dog and his sons. Just in the past year these dogs have taken the Louisiana State Championship (one dog/dual title with Baby Boy Curs), East Texas Hog Champions (2 dog pro/dual with 3R & Moffitt) 2nd place Old & Young Uncle Earl Hog Dog Trials, 4 & 5th Placements in one dog at UE's, 8th placement @ UE's in 2 dog, and most especially the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP none other than Bud Light, by winning the prestigious Best of Best!!! 




I will NEVER regret them or the opportunities that the good Lord gave me by giving me these "lemons", as they sure did make some fine lemonade!!!!




Editors note:For those of you who are wondering what is going on in the photo above, it is common for puppies(such as Bud Light above) to go nuts when they see a taxidermy mounted boar at a hog dog trial or hanging on the wall in a clubhouse.

And here was my comment to Renee's post on Facebook:

Marcus de la Houssaye Well Renee, welcome to the club! I have been accused of cross breeding for years simply because I do not register my dogs. For one thing, I keep all my males pure and qualified to breed. (One exception being my pure bred wolf.) That way if I have an oooopps, and my stud crosses out it is with a top dog stud. Secondly, as much as I would like to register my pure bred dogs(and make more money), I was given an offer she claimed I could not refuse a few yrs ago., by the NALC. Well, I REFUSED to put papers on them, simply because I refused to do something(she required) which was unethical(in my opinion) in order to paper my dogs! Bottomline: Papers are great, and are important in certain circles, but in the winners circle, your ooops proved it ain't the papers that make the dog as much as someone like Renee Renee M L Jackson giving a well bred cross a chance to show that papers don't make winners, any more than an oppps makes losers. You go get 'em girl! You deserve to be as respected for all you are doing(for the working Catahoula breed) as much as your dogs deserve a standing ovation when they are going into the winners circle. Keep up the good work.


I got to go, but I want to put some more pictures of Bud in here later...

Wild boar strike back!

For those of you who are new to hunting hogs here is a warning of how dangerous hunting wild hogs with dogs is, and for those of us who are experienced, we will get a good laugh, especially when the guy jumps on the hood of the truck!







What most people do not understand about the pure form of hog hunting is that we do not chase and shoot em, we use the dogs to stop the hog and we take the hog live with our hands and tie em up and bring them out alive. Why? Because we can!

Monday, July 4, 2016

In Memory of Sherry Bando


Valyrie, a grandaughter of Camp a Whiles' Cutting Buck


It has been too long that I have not posted here and for many reasons that I will not get into now, but I have a mission to carry out and Sherry Bando appointed me to it. 

   de la Houssaye's  Cutty Dark, a son of Campawhile's Cuttin Buck

In honor of this great woman who inspired me and took time to talk to me and teach me, I am going to start telling it like Sherry did and in her honor, I will pass two Sherry Bando gems to you now: 
1. As a puppy when raising them up, keep these dogs out of harms way for about 2 years because they are so high performance breed(and confrontational) that they often do not survive long as a hog dog or cow dog otherwise. 



2. Unless we recognize and respect that the dogs are not only smarter than we think, (they are smarter than us! But don't tell anyone I said that! Yes, Miss Sherry.) we will not get 100% performance out of these high performance bred working dogs. 



It was Sherry Bando who first encouraged me to write the book on Catahoulas that has yet to be published. In her honor, and to her credit for spending many hours on the phone sharing her wisdom of breeding and properly raising Catahoula pups, I must fulfill her vision of giving the dogs the credit they deserve by telling their story. 




If I can call myself a true dog man today, it is in large part due to Sherry Bando being a true dog woman, who recognized a spiritual kinship that I had with these dogs and for being my friend for 20 years. 




the theme of the book briefly;
 For those who have known these great dogs and why they do what they do as working dogs, we all know that there is no greater love than to lay your life down for your friends. 




Below is a letter from my friend Jake to Miss Sherry just a few weeks before she went home to the Lord.    

Jake thank you, I could not have said it better.


Jake Loiacano to Sherry Bando
Being a cowboy and having working dogs has been as big of a part of my life as anything I've ever done.

 I've been from coast to coast, as far north as Missouri, and down to south Texas all because I ran dogs. I never really learned a trade except for being a cowboy and a dog man. In all those travels I've met thousands of people but few as special as other dog men. 

When I got into the field trial scene everyone stayed at a distance no one really mingled or mixed up with each like they do today. In them days everyone had their own camp and that is where they stayed there wasn't much fellowship or visiting at all. 

About a year or so of going to bayings and never really meeting anyone other than who we came with we met you. You were the first person outside of our circle to be our friends. I'll never forget the day we met.

 We were in Union Hill, Louisiana you were as charismatic and genuinely as nice a person as we had ever met in that business and you started a friendship that day that you'll have for as long as I walk this earth. You had stories about going to Georgia and competing against all these high powered dogs and winning when you were the only woman there.

 I remember everything you talked about in your experiences competing and it fascinated me to know end and I hung on every word. Eventually it lit a fire under me to go to Georgia too and I met some of the best people in the business of whom I'm still friends with today. 

To me you were a trend setter in that aspect you didn't care what other folks did or thought you did what you wanted, befriended who you wanted and did what you thought was right and being friends with folks as you competed against them was your style. You weren't into the good ol boy systems you put it all out in the open.

 You are also a dog breeder unlike most of the others. (This part is going to step on some toes) I had heard all these tall tales about Catahoula dogs from days past and all these high powered pedigrees but none of those people put their money where their mouth was... YOU DID.

 Most folks selling puppy's didn't even compete they sold dogs based on what they did one time long ago.... NOT YOU. You ran your dog at every trial. He was your lead dog everyone knew it and they didn't have to read his papers to learn about him you actually competed with him which no one else really did because they were afraid of losing to non-registered dogs and maybe their puppies wouldn't be as valuable. 

Your dogs spoke for themselves by the way they worked not by a sales pitch. I've had two camp-a-while dogs in my time and at their prime they were the best in the business even if it was a short run because they both left this earth too soon. I now have my third Camp-a-While dog and I named her QUEEN in honor of you the First Lady in hog baying. You are by far the most influential woman this sport has ever seen and no one else comes close. 

This business is tough and folks don't normally last but a few years but like Donna Gaudet Whipple said you're still here for a reason. You did things right and didn't cross anyone, you were honest to a fault sometimes, but that is what made you, you. I remember sitting in the bleachers at Uncle Earls one year and some guy said something about a group of dog MEN and he included you in that group. 

Another lady took offence to his comment and said something to you along the lines of aren't you offended by him calling you a "dog man" you just laughed in her face and said "hell no that's the best compliment he could've given me". 

You will always be remembered by all the great dog men including this one. You are one of a kind,  Me, mom, and dad love you. We pray for your comfort and that you may rest easy. Please call anytime if you feel like talking..... again thanks for being my friend.

Sunday, July 3, 2016

The Louisiana Cattle Dog

The article below was written by Shawn Champagne at Gretna, La. June 23, 2016 and edited by Marcus de la Houssaye

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The Louisiana Cattle Dog
I haven't written an article in a while. And, against my better judgement, just awaiting the arrival of a message from someone, jumping at the chance to tell me how great their 'pot lickin pooch' is, I felt compelled to do a short write-up on this incredible Catahoula Cur breed.
I received a message from a Facebook friend in Colorado, asking me what a Catahoula Cur dog was, and, "why we used such a strange unpopular breed to herd cattle. Especially when there are so many 'better' breeds of dogs 'You Guy's' could be using." 
I couldn't help but laugh. And yes, my feathers got a little ruffled... 
But, Bless her lil ole' heart... "Forgive them Oh' Lord, for they know not what they speak." 
I've actually gotten to the age where I enjoy seeing people who "think" they know better, put their foot in their mouths. 

Probably the very reason why I don't openly give advise on Horses or Cattle, unless asked. I've learned just enough to be dangerous. So, for the record, I am by no way shape or form, a dog expert.

I am merely jotting down my personal experiences and what I've learned from men, whom are highly experienced experts. I am in NO WAY, criticizing other breeds.I have a passion for all working dogs, especially hunting class Labrador retrievers.

The Louisiana Catahoula Cur working dog is known by many names. Cur Dog, Blackmouth Cur, Catch Cur, Catahoula Leopard Cur and the list goes on.

Surprisingly, little is known about the actual breeding history and blood line of these magnificent Canines. 




Some say It dates back to when Hernando DeSoto explored Louisiana in the 1500's. That the Choctaw Indians dogs bred with DeSoto's Prized Greyhounds. I've heard tell, that it was the French explorers Beauceron (Boo-Sha-Rawn, in Cajun speak) herding dogs, bred with the-all but extinct ~ Louisiana Red Wolf.



 The modern Louisiana Catahoula Cur is a 3 way cross between Desoto's bull dogs, greyhounds and the native  Red Wolf

The word Catahoula comes from two Indian words. ("Khata", meaning Big water or Lake) and ("Hullo", meaning Loved one or Beloved) 

The average weigh of a Catahoula Cur dog varies between 50-120 lbs. Different weight are used in different applications. 



Such as hog hunting or cattle dogs. The Breed was adopted as the Louisiana State Dog in 1972. 



They are officially recognized by the AKC and can fetch quite a high price for a good proven Sire or Gyp. Either way, anybody who is really working cattle for a living in the South, gives two cow patties about what some AKC comfortable, soft shoe wearing snob, thinks anyway!
                                     My firsthand knowledge with these dog has ruined me beyond all measure. 



I have worked livestock, mostly cattle, in Europe, Mexico and all over the United States. and NEVER, have I seen the versatility, endurance, toughness and outright ballet of rampage, combined in one four legged package, as I have in the Louisiana Catahoula Cur. 



I've worked with, Austrailian Heelers, Aus Shepherds, Kelpie's, Stumpy's, Koolie's, Plot Hounds, Lancashire's, Beauceron's, McNab's, Basque's and Border Collie's. 

                         But, no herding, penning, and true warrior has blown me away, such as the Catahoula Cur. 



I will concede to the Border Collie,as being number one on my intelligence scale, and the Heeler a close second.
Each of the dogs I've listed, and had the pleasure to see work, has its geographical place. (Yes, I get it!!!) 


             A Border Collie, (which I'm passionate about) would not last ten minutes working in the alligator infested, 
                                          
                                         salt-water, coastal marsh or the dense bottom land swamp thick with trees.




                                          I could go on with the fault of each breed in the marshlands alone. 

                                      However, the Cur, it seems, was designed by God and given to the Cajun.



I've seen them pen Brahman's for six hours and never stop. 



Get gored and thrown ten feet high, climb trees to cross a creek or Bayou, (No BS) have broken legs, toes ripped off, ribs sticking out from barbed wire cuts, lips torn off from being hooked by a wild boar and still not stop.



                                     Be it ten inches of water, ten feet deep, or ten feet high, they will not quit.

In Cajun country, if a new Cur dog comes along and the rancher, cowhand or Vache Homme', (Francais) sees that he's "not cuttin da mustard," then, lets just say, he doesn't come back to the truck. 

                 A cattle man in Louisiana doesn't have time for "pet's" or mouth's to feed and play 'huggy-poo' with.  


                   Its about WORK, and work means money. So, you work, or you're gone! Same with his workmen...


There is an unexplainable magic to watching these dogs work. Almost as if watching a Gladiator within the arena.



 They have a sixth sense in a cow herd, almost a super power. And, when you see a gang of Cur's who grew up together, 

work as a team to pen-up a gaggle of swamp bulls, well, words can't describe it. To see an 85lb. dog make a 2000lb. wild, battle tested Brahman cry, is majestic beauty.


The Men who own these incredible dogs become known by reputation. 


They take so much pride in their lead dogs ability, that the Cowhand himself will risk life, limb and fortune to save that dog. 


He will not eat until his dog has eaten. He will not rest, until that Cur is tended to or doctored. His Cur's are his life blood.


From the massive cattle ranches in Florida, to the coastal plains of South Texas, the Catahoula, Blackmouth and Leopard Cur, can be found.



Though I am not an owner of one anymore, I still cherish those days when the Cajun boys showed up to pen the bad ones.


Those dead still, foggy Mississippi river mornings, 

you can hear the squeak of those axles on a stock trailer pull up, breaks squealing, horses in the back stomping that wooden trailer floor and Cur's in the front sniffing and whining, gets my blood pumping, any day of the week.


This article is dedicated to "Couilion" (Coo-Yaw'n)
RIP ole boy.
Le plus.grand chien de vache jamis.
Stay Punchy, My Friends!
Shawn'

______________________________________________________________________________


 Marcus de la Houssaye, a breeder and trainer of Louisiana Catahoulas, 337 298 2630 catahoula1@gmail.com