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Breed Characteristics
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Stephens’ Cur
| Other Names | Stephens' Stock, Stephens' Stock Mountain Cur, Stephens’ Stock |
| Nicknames | Little black dog |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Weight | No heavier than 55 pounds (25 kg). |
| Height (at withers) | 16–23 in. (41–58 cm) |
| Coat | Double coat with short, smooth or rough outercoat and short, soft, dense undercoat. |
| Colour | Black; may have white markings. |
| Litter Size | 3 - 6 puppies |
| Life Span | 10 - 14 years |
| Origin & History | Hundreds of years ago, the term "cur" referred to dogs of mixed ancestry, but it came to be used for a working type of dog in the Southern United States. The dogs that came to be known as Mountain Curs were used by early settlers for hunting and as guard dogs in Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. By the 1940s, the Mountain Cur was close to extinction. Four breeders started programs to save the breed: Hugh Stephens of Kentucky, Carl McConnel of Virginia, Woody Huntsman of Kentucky and Dewey Ledbetter of Tennessee. They founded the Mountain Cur Club, later renamed the Original Mountain Cur Breeders Association (OMCBA), and continued the breeding of Mountain Cur strains. The Treeing Cur and the Mountain View Cur were developed from these strains. The Stephens' Stock Mountain Cur was identified in 1970 by its namesake Hugh Stephens who believed it was different enough from the original strains of Mountain Cur, and so the Stephen's Breeders Association (SBA) was formed. Starting 1 November 1998, the breed is now recognized by the United Kennel Club. |
| Personality | The traits that make this hound an outstanding hunter cause them to be less than desirable as a house dog for most people. They get along well with humans and other dogs, but hunting it their reason for being. The breed is intelligent and obedient but single-minded when sensing prey nearby. Although most are raised solely for hunting and not for companionship, they are responsive to kindness, and dogs who are raised with a family will be loyal and affectionate.. They are wary of strangers. |
Care Requirements
| Health | There are no known breed-specific health concerns. |
| Grooming | Their short, dense, smooth coats make them easy to care for. |
| Exercise | Working hunting hounds require regular exercise, which they get through hunting. |
| Other Considerations | They are not recommended for apartment life or urban life. They are very active indoors and do best with acreage. |
