- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
The dictionary defines “cur” as a mongrel, mutt, or unfriendly dog, but Cur dogs are anything but. Instead, Cur breeds are known for their loyalty, dedication, and energy—traits that traditionally made them fantastic hunting dogs.
Cur is an umbrella term for several breeds that have a similar appearance and personality. There are 14 Cur breeds in total, some rarer than others. Some of the most popular Cur dogs include Black Mouth Curs, Mountain Curs, and American Leopard Hounds.
But while these breeds are grouped together as Curs, they are all unique and vary in their temperament, physical traits, and instincts, explains Tiffany Teater, breeder and owner at Lost Forty Kennels.
Read on to explore the history of these breeds and learn about a few of the more popular Curs.
Origin
It’s believed the term “cur” is derived from the 13th-century Middle English word “curdogge,” which comes from the word “curren,” meaning “to growl.” Cur breeds are exceptional hunting dogs and traditionally use different vocalizations to scare prey, alert hunters to a prey’s location, and herd cattle.
Some Cur breeds originated in the United States, while others came from Europe. Many American Cur dogs originate from southern states, such as Kentucky, Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida. The “original” Cur dogs, bred centuries ago in England, are now extinct.
Modern American Cur breeds have different lineages and were bred for specific purposes. For instance, breeders in Texas created the Blue Lacy from greyhounds, scent hounds, and coyotes for hunting and herding. Meanwhile, the Catahoula Leopard Dog has roots in hunting and ranch work and an ancestry linked to wolf dogs and Beaucerons.
While some people still keep Cur dogs for hunting and farm work, many others keep them as family companions.
Characteristics
Curs are medium to large dogs with a muscular build. Depending on their specific breed and gender, Curs can reach 16 to 27 inches in height and weigh between about 24 and 60 pounds.
All Cur breeds have short hair, and they tend to shed lightly except for during two bigger seasonal shedding periods in fall and spring. While color can vary between breeds, typical colors of Cur dogs include:
- Black
- Brindle
- Fawn
- Tan
- Red
- Yellow
- Blue
- Gray
- Black and tan
Some Cur breeds also have unique markings. For instance, the Black Mouth Cur always has a black muzzle, while Catahoula Leopard Dogs and the American Leopard Hounds have spotted coats.
Curs typically live about 12-14 years. However, some breeds may have a longer or shorter average lifespan.
Personality And Temperament
All Cur breeds have their own unique traits, they do share some common characteristics. People who have Cur dogs tend to say they’re:
- Loyal
- Hard-working
- Energetic
- Protective
- Active
- Courageous
- Affectionate
- Assertive
- Intelligent
- Trainable
While bred for their hunting abilities, Cur breeds don’t have an aggressive or vicious nature, and they can make great family pets.
Treeing
Cur dogs are known for their “treeing” behaviors, which refers to their ability to chase prey into trees so hunters can easily track and capture it.
However, Teater says not all Curs have the drive to engage in treeing. “Catahoulas are not typically associated with treeing game; they’re mostly used for hog hunting,” she says. And, while Blue Lacys are capable tree dogs, they’re mostly used for herding cattle and tracking, she adds.
Popular Cur Breeds
Three of the most popular Cur breeds include:
Mountain Curs
Mountain Curs were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1998. These dogs are perhaps the most versatile of the Cur breeds, Teater says, explaining that they have a variety of skills, including game treeing and tracking, bear aversion, and coyote decoy.
They have a protective nature and are devoted to their people, but initially reserved with strangers, according to Teater. “They tend to view new people and dogs as a potential threat to guard against but will begin to trust them after repeated positive interactions.” Mountain Curs’ innate “guarding” instincts also make them quite a vocal breed, and they engage in a fair amount of barking.
Teater says Mountain Curs are very trainable, since they like to please their owners, and that they respond well to positive reinforcement.
Black Mouth Curs
The exact history of Black Mouth Curs remains unclear, but many people believe the breed came over to the US when Europeans did. This breed remains unrecognized by the AKC, although it’s one of the more well-known Cur breeds.
Black Mouth Curs have a high level of protectiveness toward their people and a wariness of strangers, says Ashley Gardenier, founder and director of Southern Paws Rescue. These traits make socialization and exposure really important from a young age, she adds. Without adequate socialization and exposure, this wariness and protectiveness may become a issue for some dogs.
Black Mouth Curs were initially bred as working and hunting dogs and have plenty of energy.
“We typically recommend about 45 minutes of exercise at least twice a day,” Gardenier says, adding that these dogs enjoy hiking and other outdoors activities—though fetch and running are also good options for exercise.
It’s vital to provide adequate mental stimulation, too. “Otherwise, they can get into mischief and chew things in the house,” Gardenier says.
American Leopard Hounds
Records of American Leopard Hounds date back to the 1700s, which makes them one of the oldest treeing dog breeds in the US. The breed was initially registered under the name American Leopard Cur in the 1960s and recognized by the AKC in 1998. In 2008, the AKC changed the breed’s name to American Leopard Hound.
“They have excellent noses and are typically used for scent tracking or coon hunting,” Teater says. American Leopard Hounds also have a people-pleasing nature that makes them easy to train.
“They have wonderful temperaments and make great family companions,” Teater says.
What To Know About Your Cur Dog
To ensure a Cur dog stays happy and healthy, pet parents should take care to meet their physical activity requirements. “As hunting dogs, they are all high-energy and require daily exercise in the absence of any hunting work,” Teater emphasizes. “This does not mean taking a leisurely walk down the sidewalk. They need to run.”
Teater explains pet parents should also recognize Cur breeds have innate hunting and tracking instincts that need to be met. They do make great companions, but it’s still important to consider these instincts before adding them to your family,” she says.
Alongside plenty of outdoor exercise, enrichment activities can provide mental stimulation. Examples of enrichment activities include feeding puzzles, scent-based scavenger hunts, and obstacle courses.
