Original Mountain Cur Dog Breed Overview and Guide

The Original Mountain Cur is an ancient dog breed that's been around for centuries, originating in the Appalachian Mountains of the United States.

They're a medium-sized dog with a muscular build and a short, dense coat that's often brown or red in color.

These dogs are highly intelligent and resourceful, making them a great companion for outdoor enthusiasts.

They're also known for their strong hunting instinct, which makes them excellent at tracking and flushing out small game.

The original mountain cur is a breed with a rich history, originating in the mountains of Tennessee and Kentucky. They were bred to assist their owners with hunting, guarding livestock, and performing watchdog duties.

These dogs have retained their original instincts, making them excellent guard and hunting dogs. They can suddenly transform from calm to high-energy dogs when taken to the trailing and treeing fields.

Their remarkable courage is one of their defining traits, allowing them to stand firmly against predators like tigers. You won't find words like fear, panic, nervous, confused, or shyness in their vocabulary.

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As a family pet, mountain curs require proper training to thrive. They are a very active breed, so it's essential to adopt them only if you or your family members are outdoorsy and enjoy strenuous activities.

Here are some key characteristics of the original mountain cur:

Overall, the original mountain cur is a loyal and affectionate breed that requires proper training, exercise, and care to thrive.

The original mountain cur is a remarkable breed, known for its impressive size and temperament. Males typically reach 18-26 inches in height, while females stand at around 16-24 inches from the shoulder.

Mountain curs are quiet and affectionate dogs, but they were originally bred for hunting, which means they have a strong prey drive and may chase small pets if not properly trained.

These dogs thrive on nonstop action and dog sports to release their pent-up energy, and they can develop incurable separation anxiety if left alone for too long. They need consistent, positive-reinforcement training and plenty of outlets for their energy and intelligence.

Mountain curs are highly social and can become warm and soft towards strangers if they mark them as friends, but they also make excellent watchdogs with their intimidatingly loud bark.

The mountain cur dog breed is a physically impressive one. Males are bigger than females, with males reaching a height of 18-26 inches from the shoulder. Females, on the other hand, typically stand at 16-24 inches.

You can expect a mountain cur to reach its full height in just 12 months.

Mountain cur dogs are highly social and can be warm and soft towards new faces once they've marked them as friends.

They're not excessive barkers, but they make highly competitive watchdogs, capable of emitting a super loud bark that can grab your attention.

Mountain curs thrive on nonstop action and dog sports to vent out their pent-up energy, and they're not one of those pets that can be left alone.

If left alone, even for a short span, they might develop incurable separation anxiety, so it's crucial to give them proper time, attention, and long daily walks.

Mountain cur dogs are highly protective of their family members, especially children and seniors, and can come out to be fearless guard dogs.

They adore children and seniors, but it's still essential to supervise their interaction thoroughly.

Mountain curs have a high prey drive and might chase small pets, so it's best to raise them alongside household pets and start training them from a very young age.

They can be taught to distinguish between pets and family members, but consistency and proper training are key.

Mountain cur dogs love spending time in the great outdoors and prefer living in a house with a wide yard where they can play and get sufficient physical and mental stimulation.

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The original Mountain Cur is a healthy breed, but like all dogs, they can develop certain health issues. They have a lifespan of up to 16 years.

These dogs rarely develop severe health issues, but some common conditions include cancer, heart conditions, diabetes, and bloat. Regular vet care and preventative measures can help prevent many of these diseases.

Some health issues that can affect Mountain Curs include flea and tick infestations, skin problems, and parasites. These can be prevented with regular vet care and preventative medication.

Here are some common health issues that can affect Mountain Curs:

Training a mountain cur requires you to establish yourself as the pack leader from the very beginning.

To do this, you need to be consistent, powerful, patient, and dominant, as the mountain cur will make decisions on your behalf.

Make your dog learn to walk on a leash and heel beside or behind you from an early age, and always use positive reinforcement methods with rewards like treats and toys.

However, be sure to limit treats to no more than 10% of their daily diet to maintain a healthy balance.

Early socialization is also crucial to help your mountain cur become tolerant of new faces, so introduce them to various faces, sounds, smells, handling, and environments.

Training your mountain cur requires patience and consistency. You need to establish yourself as the pack leader, which means being dominant and in charge.

To do this, start by making your dog understand who's in charge from the very first day. Pay close attention to the smallest things, like walks on a leash. Make your dog learn to walk beside or behind you, giving the impression that you're the boss.

Use positive reinforcement methods, like treats and toys, to encourage your dog's fast learning progress. However, don't overdo it with the treats - they should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily diet.

Indulge your dog in early socialization to make them tolerant towards new faces. Introduce them to various faces, sounds, smells, handling, and environments to get them familiar with the world around them.

Training a Mountain Cur requires patience and consistency, as they can be strong-willed at times.

Socialization is key, especially with other dogs, as they may see smaller dogs as prey if not properly introduced.

Mountain Curs were raised alongside frontier families and learned to be tolerant of children, but they won't tolerate rough handling.

Supervise interactions between the dog and young children to avoid accidental injuries or incidents.

Take it slow when introducing a Mountain Cur to small dogs, and observe how they behave before leaving them together.

Mountain Curs are great dogs, but it's essential to meet their lifestyle needs if you plan to bring one home.

They require a lot of exercise, so be prepared for daily walks and playtime. Mountain Curs are not suited for apartment living and need plenty of space to run around.

If you're considering bringing a Mountain Cur into your family, it's crucial to supervise interactions with young children to avoid any accidental injuries or incidents. They were raised alongside frontier families and learned to be tolerant of children, but they won't tolerate rough handling.

Older children should be fine with Mountain Curs if they treat the dog with respect.

Owning a dog requires meeting their lifestyle needs, just like with Mountain Curs.

Mountain Curs are great dogs, but they need a lot of exercise to stay happy and healthy. They love to run and play, so be prepared to take them on long walks or jogs several times a week.

If you plan to bring a Mountain Cur home, it's essential to meet their exercise needs to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

Mountain Curs are great with families and make wonderful companions, but they do require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling of their coat.

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If you're interested in getting a Mountain Cur puppy, be prepared for a challenge - they're one of the rarer breeds out there. Look for reputable breeders through the OMCBA database to increase your chances of finding a puppy.

You may have to get on a waitlist for an available litter, so be patient. Mountain Cur puppies can be hard to find, but it's worth the wait.

Because they're rare, you won't often see Mountain Curs in rescues or shelters. However, some owners may take on this breed unprepared, leading to the existence of Mountain Cur rescue associations that take in puppy and adult Mountain Curs for adoption.

Exercise and grooming are two essential aspects of caring for an original Mountain Cur.

Mountain Curs are extremely active dogs that require regular mental and physical exercise, such as long, challenging walks and rigorous playtime, daily to prevent destructive behavior.

They need occasional brushing to remove dead and loose hair and keep their coat and skin healthy, but be prepared for more frequent brushing during shedding periods.

Mountain Curs shed twice a year with the change of seasons, so you'll need to brush them more often during these times.

Exercise is crucial for Mountain Curs, as they are extremely active dogs. They require regular mental and physical exercise to prevent destructive behavior.

Mountain Curs need long, challenging walks and rigorous playtime on a daily basis. This is especially important if you don't plan on using your Cur for farm work, hunting, or canine competition.

If you can't commit to daily exercise, your dog may look for ways to entertain themselves, like destroying your home and possessions.

Grooming is an essential part of caring for your Mountain Cur. They have short hair that's easy to care for, but they still need occasional brushing to remove dead and loose hair.

Brushing their coat and skin regularly can help keep them healthy. Mountain Curs shed twice a year with the change of the winter and summer seasons, so you'll need to brush them more frequently during these periods.

Bathing your Mountain Cur should be done only as needed, but you'll need to trim their nails regularly to keep them from getting too long. Brushing their teeth is also important to prevent dental problems.

The Mountain Cur breed has a rich and fascinating history that dates back to the early days of American settlement. They were originally bred to assist their owners with hunting and guarding livestock, and their unique characteristics made them invaluable to pioneers.

Daniel Boone, a famous explorer and frontiersman, relied on Mountain Curs for his expeditions, even carrying them in protective baskets. These dogs played a crucial role in frontier life, and it's possible that parts of the Southern Appalachians may not have been settled without them.

The Mountain Cur's ability to thrive in harsh environments and their remarkable courage made them a staple in many families. They were highly valued for their hunting and guarding abilities, and their intelligence and loyalty made them beloved companions.

The Mountain Cur breed has a rich and fascinating history that spans centuries. It's believed to have originated from European terrier-type curs bred with local curs in the United States.

These early dogs were used as tree and bay dogs, and their abilities to hunt and tree prey in hilly, wooded areas earned them the name Mountain Cur. Their strength and resilience allowed them to thrive in harsh environments.

In the past, all cur dogs were considered the same breed, but over time, breeders began categorizing them into different breeds based on their distinctive traits. Unfortunately, a significant population of old-time Mountain Cur dogs was killed during World War I.

However, responsible breeders isolated the remaining Mountain Curs and worked to increase their numbers. As a result, the breed made a comeback in history. The Mountain Cur was officially recognized by the Original Mountain Cur Breeders Association in the late 1950s.

As more settlers arrived in America from Europe, they brought their hunting terriers and hounds, which they bred with old-time Mountain Curs, transforming the breed into its present-day form. This transformation was so valuable to pioneers that one early settler from the Appalachian mountains carried cur puppies in special protection baskets to keep them safe.

The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1998, and the United Kennel Club followed suit the same year. In 2017, the Mountain Cur was added to the AKC Foundation Stock Service group, alongside other cur breeds.

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