A M E R I C A ’ S O R I G I N A L WO R K I N G D O G MOUNTAIN CUR T H E V E R S A T I L E
BY MANDY MIDDLETON
I would like to introduce America’s original ver- satile working dog, the Mountain Cur! They are everything you need in a dog in one capable, medium-sized package. The Mountain Cur was essential in the settling of early America. They were the utility dog of the Ameri- can settlers. Their purpose and use was far more than just the “squirrel dog” as they’re known by many of today’s hunters. They are fierce enough to go face-to- face with a bear, cougar or boar. They would catch, tree or bay various game for hunters to provide food and fur for their families, which meant life or death at the time of the settlers. They also protected families and farms from wild animals and intruders. They were used for general purpose farm dogs as well as for keeping vermin under control. The Mountain Cur is very protective of its family and is willing to give its life to protect them. The exact origins of the Mountain Cur are undocu- mented. However, it has been found through family history and research that bob-tailed brindle dogs were brought to America by Spanish explorers to drive the hogs and provide protection against wild animals, while they explored the South and discovered the Mississippi River. There was no formal registry until 1957 when the Original Mountain Cur Breeders’ Association was founded in an effort to preserve this amazing breed, which was on the brink of fading away after the Sec- ond World War. For the many years prior to that, good working dogs were simply bred together with no actual documentation aside from the families that bred them. The modern Mountain Cur is still very capable of performing its original purpose. They make excellent hunting, farm, and guard dogs. They will hunt a wide variety of prey, from big game to small game and birds. They also excel in canine sports. There are Mountain Curs titled in various AKC events such as Obedience, Rally, Agility, Conformation, Fast CAT, Scent Work, Dock Diving, Barn Hunt, Canine Good Citizen, Farm Dog Certification, and Trick Dog. The Mountain Cur was the only AKC FSS breed represented at the 2021 AKC Rally National. The Mountain Cur is also a very capable Service or Assistance Dog. They love to please their owners and they form very tight bonds.
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, NOVEMBER 2021 | 279
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