What Is the Cur Dog Breed: See These 5 Amazing Things About Cur Dogs

If you've been looking at dog breeds, you may have seen the cur dog breed. It's not a particularly common or popular dog type, so many sites don't extensively cover these dogs. However, they are some of the best dogs that you can find.

If you're looking to adopt a dog, here's what you need to know about the cur dog breed (and five things you should know about these dogs)!

What Is the Cur Dog Breed?

The cur dog breed is a little bit of a misnomer. It's not a particular breed. Instead, the term "cur" refers to a collection of 14 different dogs with similar traits and characteristics. The full list is as follows:

• American Leopard Hound
• Black Mouth Cur
• Blue Lacy
• Camus Cur
• Canadian Cur
• Catahoula Leopard Dog
• Kemmer Stock Mountain Cur
• Mountain Cur Dog Breed
• Mountain View Cur
• Parnell's Carolina Cur
• Southern Black Mouth Cur
• Stephens Cur
• Treeing Tennessee Brindle
• Yellow Black Mouth Cur

Therefore, when someone refers to a "cur dog," they refer to one of the breeds above.

Cur dogs are "treeing hounds" at heart. They are exceptional at tracking prey. They scare them into the trees and bark until their owners can get there. Curs are larger dogs, typically weighing around 70 pounds or so. They have to have a decent size to them to be able to scare their prey!

Finally, curs have shorter hair and drop ears. So, while these dogs are different, they all share similar temperaments and skills.

Why Do Curs Make Fantastic Pets?

If you're thinking of adopting a cur dog, you should know that despite their history as a "treeing" dog, many people don't get them for this purpose anymore. Instead, they get these dogs to keep as pets. 

Here are five amazing things about curs!

They Are Fiercely Protective

Have you ever seen the movie Old Yeller by Disney? The movie went into the Library of Congress in 2019, and it was the first live-action Disney film with no animated scenes to receive this honor. It's based on a novel by the same name.

For those that haven't seen it, it's about a dog that saves its human family from many attacks by wild animals - even getting a fatal injury in the process. 

The dog in that movie is a black mouth cur! While the film is fiction, the reality is that black mouth curs (and all curs) are some of the most loyal, courageous, and protective dogs that you will meet. They make for lovely pets in that regard!

These Dogs Tend To Need Little Grooming

As hunting and treeing dogs, they have short hair and very "functional" bodies. You'll find that none of the members of the cur dog breed shed very much. And, the fact that they have short hair makes them very easy to groom!

However, please note that even though these dogs might not shed very much, they are not hypoallergenic dogs. If you have allergies, please consider another breed instead!

They're Adorable

Of course, this opinion is subjective, but these dogs can be positively adorable. They have a simple, understated appearance that draws you in and keeps you looking at them. And, since they communicate so well with their owners, they can often give you those puppy eyes that are enough to melt your heart.

While these dogs won't necessarily win any dog shows, they have an adorable elegance about them that is hard to find in another breed.

They Love To Help

This dog breed loves to help with any form of job. Without a task, they tend to get upset quickly. Therefore, curs, in general, are best suited for farms and homes with large open spaces. It would be tough to keep a cur dog in an apartment.

Many dogs like having tasks - what makes this breed so remarkable is that they have such a strong drive to please their owner. They love working and spending time outdoors. For the right family (e.g., those living on a farm), such personality and will are invaluable!

They Live Quite a While for Their Size

Most cur dogs live between 12 and 16 years. That's pretty good for a dog that's between 60-90 lbs! (by contrast, a German Shepherd tends to top out at 14 years). The cur dogs represent a rare opportunity to have a larger dog with a longer lifespan!

The Cur Dog Breed: A Group of Fantastic Animals

Ultimately, the term "cur dog breed" is not just one class of dogs. Instead, it refers to multiple types of dogs, each having similar characteristics. However, these dogs are some of the best that you will find, thanks to their temperament, eagerness to help, and comparatively long lifespans. 

If you're thinking of getting a cur, please check with your local adoption agencies first. While this isn't the most common dog breed, if you can luck out and find one at the adoption center, you'll spend far less money than you would to buy one from a reputable breeder.

What is a cur?

A cur dog is not a single dog breed. Instead, it's a collection of dog breeds that share similar traits. The term refers to a group of North American breeds supposed to hunt, herd, and protect their owners' farms. There are 14 dogs in total in this group.

What is a mountain cur dog?

A mountain cur dog is a medium-sized dog that is "intelligent, strong-willed, [and] reserved with strangers." These dogs make for excellent companions, watchdogs, and they have excellent treeing instincts. If you want one of the most intelligent dogs to be a loyal companion, this is the dog for you!

What is a black mouth cur dog?

The black mouth cur has its origins in the southeastern United States. It can herd livestock, guard the home, and help with hunting game. One thing you should know is that this dog has a very high energy level, so they're not the best dogs for first-time dog owners.