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Breed Characteristics
1 paw - breed exhibits the least amount of this characteristic
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Mountain Cur
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Weight | 30 - 60 lbs. (16 - 29 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | 18 - 26 in. (46 - 66 cm) |
| Coat | The heavy coat tends to be longer than that of the hounds, but still basically short. It is smooth or rough with a soft, fine undercoat. |
| Colour | Colours include, yellow, brindle, black, brindle and black, often with white points. |
| Litter Size | 4 - 6 puppies |
| Life Span | 14 - 16 years |
| Origin & History | The Mountain Cur was originally brought to America from Europe by the settlers of the mountains in Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, then later Arkansas and Oklahoma, to guard family and property as well as chase and tree game. These dogs enabled the settlers to provide meat and pelts for personal use or trade, making them very valuable in the unforgiving frontier environment. The Mountain Cur was bred and maintained for nearly two hundred years. With the advent of World War II, many of the families who had bred them left the rural areas and went to work in factories in the war effort. By the end of the 1940s the breed was becoming rare. Four individuals, Hugh Stephens and Woody Huntsman of Kentucky, Carl McConnell of Virginia, and Dewey Ledbetter of Tennessee are given credit for saving the breed from dying out and setting the Mountain Cur breed standard. In 1956, these four founded the Original Mountain Cur Breeders' Association. Soon after, controversy over the breed standard caused Hugh Stephen and Carl McConnell to leave the OMCBA to found the Stephen Stock Mountain Cur Association. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Mountain View Cur was developed from the Mountain Cur by Michael and Marie Bloodgood of Afton, New York. |
| Personality | This is not a submissive, easygoing dog. With the toughness and courage to confront a very angry, very large cat, these Curs have learned to be decisive and dauntless. Usually silent on the trail, they make consistent guard dogs, but certainly are not ideal for suburbia, where there is no call to work. Trailing ability varies with strains, but they have enough nose to follow game and many carry treeing ability. Some lines are bred for tree dogs and others for baying. This very tough large-game, raccoon and squirrel hunter is willing to face a squealing razorback or an angry wildcat when it is cornered. It has a strong desire to please its master. Very protective of the property and family; without an owner who is more dominant than itself, it can become over-protective. The Mountain Cur is noted for his courage. This hunting dog will catch a mad bull head-on in the nose and will hold his ground even against a bear when threatened. The objective in training this dog is to achieve pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in its pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined and rules are set. Because a dog communicates his displeasure with growling and eventually biting, all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. The humans must be the ones making the decisions, not the dogs. That is the only way your relationship with your dog can be a complete success. |
Care Requirements
| Health | There are no known breed-specific health concerns. |
| Grooming | The short hair of the Mountain Cur is easy to groom. Occasionally comb and brush to remove dead and loose hair. Bathe only when necessary as bathing can dry out the skin, causing skin problems. Keep the ear canal free of excess hair and the toenails clipped. |
| Exercise | The Mountain Cur is a very active working dog that needs a lot of daily exercise. When not hunting, it needs to be taken on a daily, long, brisk walk or jog. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. In addition, it will benefit from a large, safe area where it can run free. This breed enjoys outdoor activities and sports. |
| Other Considerations | The Mountain Cur is not recommended for apartment life. It is bred for work and will be happiest with a job to do. |
