Mountain Cur Dog Breed Information

Group

Foundation Stock Service

Weight

13-27 kg

Height

45-66 cm

Lifespan

14-16 years

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About the Mountain Cur

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

Mountain Curs were traditionally used as working dogs that originated from the mountain ranges of Tenessee and Kentucky. Although they have since descended the mountains and found popularity as family pets, these dogs retain the same energy levels that they had during their farm days. In other words, they’re a lot of work, and they require active parents.

With the right training, nutrition, and daily exercise, a Mountain Cur can become a beloved companion to your kids. But do you have the right space for this dog to thrive in? Read this breed guide to find out!

What is the history & origin of the Mountain Cur?

The exact origin of this working dog breed remains disputed, but it is widely believed that the Mountain Cur – or the ancestors of the modern-day Mountain Cur – were brought to America by European settlers around 200 years ago.

Like many other farm dogs, they played a vital part in colonising the rough and mountainous terrain of states such as Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Their primary duties involved treeing animals, protecting livestock, and guarding homes against intruders.

During this time, they developed stamina, skills, and protective nature that is still present in the breed today. As people swapped country living for the city in the early 20th century, the demand for the Mountain Cur’s services dwindled.

Luckily, four fans of the breed – Woody Huntsman, Carl McConnell, Dewey Ledbetter, and Hugh Stephens – banded together to keep the breed alive. They set the Mountain Cur breed standard, which led to the forming of the Original Mountain Cur Breeders of America (OMCBA) in 1957.

Despite this, the breed is yet to be fully recognised by the American Kennel Club.

What is a Mountain Cur breed?

Mountain Curs are purebred guard dogs who have an intimidating exterior but a sweet and loving side, too. The medium-sized Mountain Cur has quite a muscular build and lives to work out – they require well over an hour of exercise per day!

Mountain Curs features two short coats, the undercoat being smoother and the overcoat being thicker. These coats can come in such colours as blue, red, yellow, blond, cream, brindle, brown, pale gold, or solid black.

They often have stripes of other colours over the top of the main colour, which tends to be brown or brindle, and they can also have white streaks on their chest and face. Some Mountain Curs come with bob tails and flopped-over high-set ears.

The Mountain Cur puppy is sometimes referred to as a Pioneer’s Dog and a Mountain Kerr.

Who is a Mountain Cur best for?

The absolute best living conditions for these active dogs would be where their ancestors thrived – on a farm. Despite being generations apart, Mountain Curs can still perform routine farm tasks, such as herding and guarding, exceptionally well. If you live in the countryside and you’ve got a boundless plot of land, then a Mountain Cur would fit right in.

However, there are other living situations that the Mountain Cur can feel right at home in. If you’re an active family who spends a lot of time out exploring the wilderness, and you have access to a big garden at all times, then you should add Mountain Curs to your considerations list. A Mountain Cur is an ideal hiking companion as they love exploring new terrains.

As a Mountain Cur owner, you’ve got to commit to around 75 minutes per day’s worth of exercise. This can entail hiking, playing, working, and even swimming. If a Mountain Cur does not get plenty of opportunities to stretch its muscles, it will grow dull, bored, and lazy.

Mountain Cur Grooming & Shedding

Mountain Curs are pretty low maintenance and do not require daily brushing. However, it’s important to keep an eye on their coats and comb them whenever dead hair starts to build up. They have two shedding seasons per year where their shedding rate will increase, but still not a lot relative to other dogs.

Their coats are waterproof and pretty good at self-cleaning, although you will need to wash your Mountain Cur whenever they get dirty or smelly. Too much bathing can actually be bad for them, as Mountain Curs are highly susceptible to skin infections. When bathing, remember to clean behind their ears as plenty of debris can build up in their flopped over lugs!

As with most other dogs, their dental health can be maintained through daily brushing. Remember to check their nails for dirt regularly and cut whenever necessary.

Do Mountain Curs bark a lot?

Considering they were originally bred as working dogs, loud barking is to be expected. The good news is Mountain Curs are unlikely to let out a loud bark unless provoked. They primarily like to warn their family whenever a stranger is approaching.

However, they could be barking due to a lack of mental stimulation, a need to exercise, or a missed meal.

Whatever the reason, be prepared for particularly loud barks that can be heard over vast distances.

What is the average weight & height of a Mountain Cur?

Both male and female Mountain Curs will weigh somewhere between 13kg and 27kg. In terms of height, a standard male will fall somewhere between 45cm and 66cm, while a female will be between 40cm and 60cm.

Are Mountain Curs easy to train?

Consistency is key when it comes to training a Mountain Cur. If you show any signs of being a pushover, a Mountain Cur will take advantage of this. They need a strong-willed leader who can teach them commands and tricks firmly, without being harsh on them when they struggle or forget.

However, they very rarely make mistakes and can be trained to do all kinds of things, including hiking, giving paw, fetching, and swimming. They are highly intelligent dogs, so easy to train if you’re an experienced dog owner. They also require a good level of obedience training.

Early socialisation is a must so that they can grow to be good guard dogs without forming aggressive tendencies.

How do Mountain Curs behave? A look at their temperament and personality

Whether an approaching visitor is a complete stranger or someone the dog has met before, they tend to treat all with suspicion until their owner greets the person. It’s a good idea to get in the habit of greeting visitors in front of your Mountain Cur so that they can relax their standoffish instincts.

If you don’t greet the visitor, a Mountain Cur dog will stand its ground, showing fearlessness in the protection of its family. They’re very dedicated to their owners and don’t like it when their family isn’t at home. This isn’t necessarily due to separation anxiety but more to do with their desire to protect at all times.

Their personality could also be described as motivated, given that they’d rather spend the day tending to farm tasks than lazing around. Mountain Curs are happiest when they’ve got a job to do.

Does the Mountain Cur have any common health issues?

The Original Mountain Cur Breeders of America (OMCBA) ensures that strict breeding standards are met and that this hunting dog is one of the healthiest dog breeds around. When it comes to health Mountain Curs are not prone to any disease in particular.

The only health issues of this active breed are deafness, which may just be the result of wax build-up in their floppy ears, and skin rashes, both of which can easily be prevented against.

What is the lifespan of a Mountain Cur?

Thanks to the strict breeding standards of this pup, they have high longevity. Healthy Mountain Curs will live between 14 and 16 years.

How much does a Mountain Cur need to be fed?

These hunting dogs are hard-wired to work, play dog sports, and generally use up as much energy as possible. For this, they need a steady diet from a young age.

In puppyhood, they should be fed meals cups of dry kibble, served as four separate meals throughout the day. After they reach the age of one, you can switch them onto dog food. 2-3 cups of dog food should be sufficient, but it depends on the size of your dog.

How much can you expect to pay for a Mountain Cur in Australia?

Some Mountain Curs are bred in Australia, but they remain a rare breed, even in America. For this reason, it’s difficult to put a price on how much you should expect to pay in Australia. Only buy from rescue groups or reputable breeders.

Mountain Cur FAQs

Do Mountain Curs get along with other animals?

Mountain Curs can get along with other dogs and even cats as long as they are taught how to socialise at a young age.

Are Mountain Curs hypoallergenic?

They don’t shed as much as other dogs; however, they still shed, so they cannot be considered hypoallergenic.

Are Mountain Curs considered a good family pet?

If trained correctly, a Mountain Cur can grow to be an excellent family dog. They are high-energy dogs and enjoy dog sports, dog parks, and playing with children.