Hopefully, this will not happen here, but, if we try to keep in mind that the Catahoula is a Pretty Dog that Works, we will have a fighting chance of never losing those abilities. Yes, it is. I've watched dogs with a working ability be bred into a show ring situation that has all but destroyed the breed's natural function. Take for example the French Poodle. Here is a dog that was bred to retrieve game from frozen waters.
Most Poodles are just pets or have the honor of being displayed in a show ring.
The working abilities are there, but they are so minute that it would take years of breeding to bring it to the foreground again. The message I'm trying to convey is that working, hunting and show people should be working together. They should try to produce the best Catahoula possible and have all the things that are required. In other words, have the best of both worlds. Have Pretty Working Dog if you like, but be sure that the dogs are of the caliber required to perform the job, while meeting the tests of a Conformation Standard.