Mountain Cur
The breed is also known as ‘Mountain kerr’ and sometimes referred to as ‘the pioneer’s dog’. They are fearless watchdogs and will protect their house being alert of strangers. Mountain Curs are natural athletes who enjoy being outdoors and participate in sports and hunting.
Breed Profile
Height
16 – 24
Inches
Weight
30 – 60
Pounds
Life Span
10 - 13
Years
Health
health
Ear infection
What is it?
Mountain Curs can be prone to skin infections and irritations as well as ear infections. Otitis externa is the most common type of ear infection infections because this part of the ear is most exposed to external factors. Ear infections can develop when the skin lining in the ear canal becomes irritated, leading to inflammation.
Clinical signs
Itching/ scratching
Will often find them shaking their head or scratching
Ear often becomes red
Black or yellow discharge
Redness
Treatment
For ear mites, bacterial ear infections in dogs, or yeast infections in dogs, treatment with corticosteroids, antifungals, antibiotics, or anti-parasitic in-ear drops may be prescribed. Using ear liquid cleanse.
Eligible vet bill
$1,500
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Hip Dysplasia
What is it?
Hip dysplasia is a common skeletal ailment that is most commonly observed in large or giant breed dogs, but it can also occur in smaller breeds. Hip dysplasia occurs when the ball and socket do not fit or develop properly, rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. This can result in deterioration over time and an eventual loss of function of the joint itself.
Clinical signs
Limping or stiffness
Loss of thigh muscle mass
Inability to exercise
Treatment
There are quite a few treatment options for hip dysplasia in dogs, ranging from lifestyle modifications to surgery. A few treatments include:
Joint supplements
Physiotherapy
Anti-inflammatory medications
Acupuncture treatment
Eligible vet bill
$2,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Energetic
They were originally bred as working dogs which include the duty of watchdog, hunting, and chasing animals up into trees it’s in their nature.
Courageous
A fearless watchdog who will protect their territory/home. They can be very protective when it comes to the family, especially kids.
Affectionate
Despite their athletic body and loud bark, they can be a soft-hearted pooch who adores children and show great affection towards the family.
Lifetime Care
Coat
Mountain Cur has short fur and a double coat thick top coat and a smooth undercoat
Colors
The Mountain Cur has a coat that comes in blue, black, brown, yellow, red, and brindle. They may have white points on their coats
Hypoallergenic
No
Grooming
They require very little grooming. Should be occasionally bathed as they spent a lot of time outdoors and get dirty, don’t bathe them often since they have sensitive skin and it may cause irritation. Brushing their coat once a month is ideal and once a week during spring as they shed a lot around that time of the year. Trimming nails to prevent from anything breaking inside or outside your house is necessary. Brushing their teeth alternatively will keep them clean and healthy.
Training
A highly intelligent breed that needs daily mental stimulation, needs to be trained at a young age that they aren’t the leaders and be obedient to their owners. Using positive reinforcements than harsh training methods will do better with these dogs. Taking your Cur out for a daily jog or stroll can meet their exercise needs.
Mountain Cur: Introduction to the Breed
The first thing you’ll notice about this breed is their strong alert stature, they were used to hunt small animals like rabbits and squirrels, and they have also been proven useful in hunting larger animals like wild boar. These dogs originated in the mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee. They were an important part of the early settlers' lives, assisting them as they established farms in mountainous, rural, and southern regions. They served as watchdogs on farms, assisted with hunting, and even herded livestock.
Mountain Curs were a vital part of a frontier family in the early days of European settlement of North America, particularly those settling in the more mountainous regions of the countryside. For these early settlers, the Mountain Cur's true heritage was less important than the breed's ability to hunt. As a result, little is known about the breed's true origin. Later in 1957, the Mountain Cur was formally recognized as a breed
Mountain Cur Dog Breed Features:
High set of ears
Wide and strong head
Muscular neck
Short and smooth coat
Things to watch out for before you get Mountain Cur Dog –
Due to their high prey drive and willful nature, it’s important to train them in basic commands at an early stage. These dogs should be on a leash all the time when outdoors as they can easily get distracted and run to chase around small animals.
Make sure they are safe inside a fence engaging with their interactive toys and spending time with the family.
They require daily exercise and activities to keep them active, they enjoy doing a task that keeps them busy.
Children should be taught well how to handle this breed.
Mountain Cur is reserved when it comes to strangers until they are introduced well and can bark a lot when they aren’t aware of newcomers.
What should a Mountain Cur eat?
Their diet should be designed for medium to large size breed dogs with a high level of energy. Since they are active dogs, they need high calories compared to other breeds. Two meals a day with high nutrients should be fed. Their diet can differ from feeding puppies to as they grow into adult dogs.
Conclusion
Mountain cur is a great choice for the family who owns a house with a yard where this breed can roam around and has its space. They aren’t apartment pets if the space isn’t enough for them to be active. These dogs do best with experienced pet parents who can assert their leadership roles while being diligent in obedience training. Ideal for dog owners who love to explore and stay active.
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