The shoulders are strong and smoothly muscled. The shoulder blades are long, wide, flat and well laid back. The upper arm is roughly equal in length to the shoulder blade and joins it at an angle sufficient to ensure that the foot falls under the withers. The elbows are close to the body and do not turn out. The forelegs are straight, and of medium bone, indicating strength without excessive thickness.
Pasterns are strong, short, and slightly sloping.
A dog with legs shorter than the ideal is to be more heavily penalized than a dog with longer legs. Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog is slightly longer than tall. The topline inclines very slightly downward from well-developed withers to a level back. The back is broad and well muscled with a short, strong, slightly arched loin. A slightly longer loin is acceptable in females.