Catahoulas come in many different colors including blue merle, red merle, brindle, and solid colors.
Often, solid coat Catahoulas have small splashes of other colors such as white on their face, legs or chest.
The leopard-like coat of most Catahoulas is the result of the merle gene.
The merle gene does not normally affect the entire coat of the dog, but dilutes the color only in areas that randomly present the characteristic of the gene.
Deeper colors are preferred; predominantly white coats are discouraged.
Since Catahoula is a working dog, coat color is not a primary consideration.

Red leopard: These are various shades of brown and tan, may also have white.
Known as "red merle" in other breeds.

Blue leopard: These are various shades of dark grey, often with black, and some may also have white (generally on the feet and chest).
Known as "blue merle" in other breeds.

Black or black leopard: These are leopards least affected by the merle gene, and will display smaller patches of blue or gray.

Gray or silver leopard: Blue leopards where the black color has been diluted to gray.
Known as "slate merle" in other breeds.

Tri-color: Have three distinct visible colors, usually white, black, and gray.

Quad-color and five-color: Have varying body coloration and trim colors.
Gray Catahoulas may be considered quad-color when white and tan trim are included.
Such a dog could display black, gray, white (usually around the neck, face, feet, and tail) and tan (which may also appear around the face and feet).

Patchwork: Predominantly white dogs with small amounts of solid and/or merle patches appearing throughout the coat.
The colored patches may be black or brown.
Dilution may affect those colored patches and produce gray, blue, red, or liver coloration within them.
Catahoulas come in many different colors including blue merle, red merle, brindle, and solid colors. Often, solid coat Catahoulas have small splashes of other colors such as white on their face, legs or chest. The leopard-like coat of most Catahoulas is the result of the merle gene. The merle gene does not normally affect the entire coat of the dog, but dilutes the color only in areas that randomly present the characteristic of the gene. Deeper colors are preferred; predominantly white coats are discouraged. Since Catahoula is a working dog, coat color is not a primary consideration.
Red leopard: These are various shades of brown and tan, may also have white. Known as "red merle" in other breeds.
Blue leopard: These are various shades of dark grey, often with black, and some may also have white (generally on the feet and chest). Known as "blue merle" in other breeds.
Black or black leopard: These are leopards least affected by the merle gene, and will display smaller patches of blue or gray.
Gray or silver leopard: Blue leopards where the black color has been diluted to gray. Known as "slate merle" in other breeds.
Tri-color: Have three distinct visible colors, usually white, black, and gray.
Quad-color and five-color: Have varying body coloration and trim colors. Gray Catahoulas may be considered quad-color when white and tan trim are included. Such a dog could display black, gray, white (usually around the neck, face, feet, and tail) and tan (which may also appear around the face and feet).
Patchwork: Predominantly white dogs with small amounts of solid and/or merle patches appearing throughout the coat. The colored patches may be black or brown. Dilution may affect those colored patches and produce gray, blue, red, or liver coloration within them.
Catahoula Leopard Dog