If you are set on a Catahoula..do your homework. Find someone who SQUIRREL hunts their dogs. Most people with them nowadays only breed because they have a stud who is registered, Most of the ones who actually use their dogs now tend to use them on hogs or cattle. Very few still use them like the old timers did; which was a bit of everything..tree game, work stock and guard the house.
Personally, I would get a Kemmer or a OMCBA Mountain Cur. I know both are available close to your area. Forget that state dog business. They ruined the breed when they started registering them in 1977 and made them the state dog about that time.

Nope...they aren't. The Leopard dogs he was referring to are Called Leopard Hounds and are a UKC breed. But you are right about in the past, they were colored that way and some called them Catahoula Leopard dogs

Well, I don’t know much about different breeds, but I love to chase squirrels with a dog that will tree them. I’ve got a mutt. She’s border collie, blue heeler, and who knows what else. Shes got a black mouth. Not that any of that matters though cause she loves squirrel hunting.

Be interested in hearing about what you get and how the two of you figure things out together. Good luck!

Here's an idea, check out the United Kennel Club site and see if any competition hunts/shows are being held within driving distance. Great opportunity to see several different breeds of curs and feists and talk to folks who know their dogs. Talk to the Master of Hounds and you might even be able to tag along with a cast as a spectator. UKC also has a forum like this one where you can read and ask questions.

All the breed associations also have facebook pages as well.

If he wants to see a squirrel event, he won't find a UKC one here. If he can find a way to get to the Alexandria area, I have a friend who has some sure enough good dogs. A couple who won World hunts in different registries. A few UKC coonhunts around but not as many as the past.
ps..I am a Master of Hounds

I've been out of comp hunting for over twenty years now since I moved to Georgia. Is it as I suspect kind of dying out?

Mostly...still a few UKC coonhunts. Their squirrel hunts never caught on here. They have a few NSD hunts but those might be over for the year here. And some PKC hunts are going on.

PKC is getting real big here in MS vs UKC.... for coon, anyways

I knew a guy who had a black mouth cur that he taught to retrieve doves and an occasional duck. Would it be my first choice??? Definitely not. I would want something that is bred to do what I want. Just remember that when you look for a pup. Find something bred for the desired activity.