Mountain Curs are the true All-American Pioneer dog. They were a necessity to the frontier family and it is likely that the Southern Mountains could not have been settled without them. They were one of the biggest assets that the settlers had in the rough and unforgiving country of the Mountains. They guarded the family and livestock against wild animals or intruders.
They were used to catch, tree, or hole wild game for the family’s food. Until the 1940s, these dogs were part of the way of life for the frontiersmen. They used money from sold furs that their dogs hunted to provide for their families. The exact origins of this breed are undocumented, as there was no need for an official pedigree among the pioneers.
The Mountain Cur was declared a breed in 1957 with the organization of the Original Mountain Cur Breeders of America (OMCBA).
Courtesy of akc.org
Curs make wonderful companions & will always greet you with a wag.
They are happiest alongside you. Curs make great hiking partners, but also enjoy a leisurely walk in the woods.
Curs are a watchdog & will sound an alarm, by barking, if a stranger approaches. They will 'guard' in that respect, since this is part of their natural instincts. Expect a fair amount of barking from your cur.
Mountain Curs are a tree dog. They have strong instincts to track & tree a range of animals, depending on what they're trained for, including squirrels, coons, big cats & bears. He can be open, semi-open, or silent on track.
Curs are by nature, apprehensive of strangers. They tend to view new people & dogs as a potential threat to guard against, which coincides with their watchdog nature.
Curs are eager to please during training & respond well to positive reinforcement only. A stern 'No' with a change in your tone of voice is usually enough for them to understand they've displeased you.
Mountain Curs are a high-energy breed, so they need somewhere to spend their energy during the day, and they'll be happy to lay at your feet in the evening.
Mountain Curs get along great with other dogs & people, once they've gotten used to them. Initially, they may be reserved, but will come around with positive interactions.
Curs are moderate shedders. They don't require grooming, other than regular nail trims.
Mountain Curs do best when they have a job to do - they are bred to hunt/work. So we prefer them for hunting homes, but we also consider active companion homes.
Once they are older, they do have a good off-switch in the house, but don't expect them to always be a lazy lap dog.
Mountain Curs make a great dog for the right family, but they are not for every family. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us & we'll be happy to discuss Mountain Curs!
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