Breeds / Medium
Mountain Cur puppies
Courageous, hard working and devoted to its own household, a rugged American hunting and farm dog that is reserved with strangers and needs a job.
The facts
- Size class Medium
- Country of origin United States
- Adult weight 13.6 to 27.2 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 30 to 60 lb
- Adult height 41 to 66 cm
- Energy level Very high
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Short smooth
- Typical lifespan 10 to 13 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
Where these come from:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming and the temperament ratings, coat type, country of origin and health notes
About the Mountain Cur
The Mountain Cur is an American working dog, developed by settlers in the southern mountains as an all purpose farm and hunting dog that treed game, moved stock and guarded the homestead. It is a medium, plainly built animal with a short smooth coat, 41 to 66 cm tall and 13.6 to 27.2 kg. The character is serious and businesslike: courageous, strongly bonded to its own people, wary of strangers, and much happier with a task in front of it than with an empty afternoon.
This is a very high energy breed that needs long daily walks or genuine work, and it turns destructive when under exercised. The coat is easy, an occasional brush with a rubber curry and more during the twice yearly shed, with baths only when needed. It is highly trainable but independent, and the voice carries, which suits hunting and irritates close neighbours. Ratings with children and other pets are moderate, so supervise and socialise from the start. The usual mistake is buying one as a family pet with no outlet for the hunting drive.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Mountain Cur puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. This is a very high energy breed. The mistake owners make is trying to tire it out physically. Training, scentwork and puzzles will do more than distance ever will. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything it meets calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of its life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed and scored for
- Ear infections in the drop ears, found by regular checking and cleaning
- Inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist examination
From Mountain Cur breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/mountain-cur/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Your Mountain Cur puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Mountain Cur.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 13.6 to 27.2 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Other medium breeds
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.