Mountain Cur Breed Guide

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.

Who are Mountain Cur dogs 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.

How much grooming does a Mountain Cur need?

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 them whenever necessary.

Do Mountain Cur bark much?

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.

Do Mountain Cur bite?

Mountain Cur puppies will likely bite while teething. For this reason, it's always important to have a chew toy close at hand that you can give them to help with the pain. If they continue to bite, try to pretend to cry or let out a yelp whenever they do.

This will hopefully demonstrate to them that you don't like it when they bite and teach them not to. They don't intend to hurt you, so by letting them know that biting hurts, they'll resist the urge to do it in the future.

What is the temperament & personality of a Mountain Cur?

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 has 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.

What is the weight & size of a Mountain Cur?

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

How much training does a Mountain Cur need?

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 paws, 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.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Mountain Cur?

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. Besides standard dog health concerns, the Mountain Cur is 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 should you feed a Mountain Cur?

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

What is the price of 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.