Mountain Cur vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Mountain Cur vs Huntaway - Breed ComparisonMountain Cur is originated from United States but Huntaway is originated from New Zealand. Both Mountain Cur and Huntaway are of same height. Mountain Cur may weigh 19 kg / 41 pounds lesser than Huntaway. Both Mountain Cur and Huntaway has almost same life span. Both Mountain Cur and Huntaway has almost same litter size. Both Mountain Cur and Huntaway requires Low maintenance.

History

mountain cur - historyFrom The United States in the hound group comes the Mountain Cur. This breed was developed especially to “tree” their prey and to trail other smaller game. They treed and bayed larger prey like the wild boar and bears in the mountains and they trailed the smaller ones like the raccoon and squirrel. There are many types of curs and this breed is just one. Curs can be water dogs, farm dogs, hunting dogs and guard dogs. However, they are not great family dogs because they were born to hunt.

The Mountain Cur comes out of Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and Virginia. The ancestors of the American Mountain Cur came with European settlers almost 200 years ago. They worked with the settlers to hunt for animals that would provide them with pelts and meat in order to survive on the frontier. The breed became rare when the descendants of the settlers moved to the factories after the second world war.

The breed was brought back by four ambitious men who saved the Mountain Cur. They form the Original Mountain Cur Breeder’s Association of OMCBA in 1956. But they argued over the standard and 2 of the 4 left to form their own association: The Stephen Stock Mountain Cur Association. By 1957 the Mountain Cur Breeder’s Association formed but it took until 1998 for the Mountain Cur to be registered with the United Kennel Club.

The Mountain Cur is a tough, courageous dog as are all the Curs. They are willing to face large and ferocious prey. They are fearless watch dogs, using their trait of being quiet on the hunt to their advantage. The Mountain Cur wants nothing more than making you happy. They have been known to corner bears and even bulls. Given the independence and intelligence of the Mountain Cur it is important that the human be the pack leader, or the Cur will assume the role. If angry the Cur will growl and bite, so being the pack leader is vital for humans.

The novel “Old Yeller” was written about a Mountain Cur – a yellow shorthaired dog with a bobbed tail and terrier blood. Like all Mountain Curs “Old Yeller” hunted and treed prey, fought a bear and held onto the nose of a charging bull. The Cur was the first American purebred dog. Other early lines come from the Appalachian Mountains and near them in southern states. Mixing hounds and terriers created this tough, courageous dog whose tenacity and grit are second to none. Today the Mountain Cur has been split into four distinct breeds: the Mountain Cur, The Mountain View Cur, the Stephens Stock, and the Treeing Tennessee Brindle.

huntaway - historyThe Huntaway or New Zealand Huntaway is a herding dog that originated in the New Zealand sheep country. Their main purpose is to drive sheep and they are not an old breed. They were developed late in the 19th century for their working skills. The only real criteria was that they were black and tan. A dog must win a trial in order to be placed in the New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association studbook. They drive sheep mainly through their deep, loud voice.

In the New Zealand high country there was a need for a working dog with stamina, agility and intelligence to work the sheep as a drover (herder). The dog had to be able to handle rough, steep land and work with very large groups of sheep. The sheer area of land that the sheep graze and the dog would have to cover, demanded that this dog have stamina and strength to cover large pasture land and work for days if necessary. Before this the shepherds had used British sheepdogs but they preferred dogs that barked while working. So they bred the British Sheepdogs with Collies, Border Collies, Labrador, Rottweiler, Doberman and other barking sheepdogs to create the Huntaway. In addition to the bark, they bred for stamina and size.

They were participating in field trails in 1870 and ads for them were seen in newspapers by 1884. They became a separate breed in the 20th century. Today they are spreading around the world and are becoming very popular. It is not recommended that they be kept as pets however, since they are true working dogs.

Description

mountain cur puppy - descriptionBred to be a hard working hunter and protector, the Mountain Cur is rugged and stocky. They are muscular with strong neck, wide head and expressive dark brown eyes. Some may have blue or green eyes, but they will be darker instead of light. They have a heavy muzzle, high set short ears and feet that are catlike, muscular and strong. The Cur has straight legs, deep chests and 50% are born with the tail bobbed.

Their coat is short and heavy. The colors could be yellow, red, blue, brindle, black and brindle, yellow with white points, dark brown and red.

huntaway puppy - descriptionThe Huntaway is a large dog with a deep chest and a black and tan coat. They are strong, big and muscular with voices to match. They herd, head, work the sheep in pastures and force them into pens. They are bred to have that big authoritative, deep bark. They do not yap. Their bodies are well proportioned but longer than high. They have well - padded feet and a deep chest for stamina, along with strong legs and body that allows them to run fast and change directions at will.

The tail of a Huntaway if long, while their heads are shaped like blocks while the muzzle is long and the nose is black. They have dark, round eyes and long ears. An unusually attractive dog, they have dense fur with fringe on the tail and chest. There is characteristics a very large variety in the in the way the breed looks from one dog to the next. Thus they do not participate in confirmation events, as the standard is based on working characteristics rather than appearance guidelines. They are more a “class” than a “breed”.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

mountain cur dog - characteristicsThey are friendly with kids but don’t make good house pets.

Special talents

Tree climbing

Adaptability

They need space and they do not make good indoor pets

Learning ability

He is very intelligent and learns quickly.

Children friendliness

huntaway dog - characteristicsThey are very good with children and love to play with them.

Special talents

Stamina, speed and independence

Adaptability

Not really. Don’t do well in small spaces. Better off in the country.

Learning ability

Very intelligent, quick learner, loves learning new things.

Health Problems

mountain cur puppies - health problemsThere are a few health issues that the Mountain Cur is susceptible to. They include:

  • Skin Issues – infections and allergies.
  • Ear Infections – Keep them cleaned and hair trimmed in ears.
  • Hunting Injuries – this is probably the most common health issue.
  • Bloat – Can be fatal.
  • Obesity – Can lead to bloat, injuries, other issues.
  • Hip Dysplasia – Can cause arthritis and lameness – can be caused or aggravated by obesity.

huntaway puppies - health problemsThe Huntaway is a pretty healthy breed, developed as it was from the sheepdogs and collies. They still face some inherited issues such as:

  • Hip dysplasia – can cause lameness and arthritis
  • Cancer of bone – life threatening
  • Ear Infections – long eared dogs are prone to infections
  • Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IIIA (MPS IIIA) – rare metabolic issue can cause neurological problems.
  • Dilated Caridomyopathy (DCM) – enlarged heart can cause heart failure

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

mountain cur dogs - caringMountain Cure puppies should eat four bowls of high quality dog food in four separate meals each day until 3 months old. From three months to six months feed them 3 times per day and from six months to a year just twice a day.

Feeding the adult

The adult Mountain Cur would eat 3 cups of high quality dog food in one or two meals per day. Don’t overfeed them as they have a tendency toward obesity.

Points for Good Health

Athleticism

Games and Exercises

This breed is an active dog and he needs to get plenty of exercise. He needs daily exercise – daily walks – and enjoys canine sports like barn hunt and agility. They do well in field trials.

Feeding the Puppy

huntaway dogs - caringIf you are not using your Huntaway to herd, then feed a medium formula not a high protein, high calorie formula. Feed 3-4 times a day and 1-2 cups.

Feeding the adult

3 cups per day feeding twice a day high quality medium calorie food.

Points for Good Health

Exceptional stamina

Games and Exercises

This herding breed has a great need of mental and physical stimulation. They were born to herd and to do so over vast tracts of land in challenging conditions. They need to be challenged. They need daily exercise at a very high level. A Run them every day or take them on a couple of long walks. They will excel in field trials, Barnhunt, agility and rescue. They love to learn.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
United States
New Zealand
Height Male:
46 - 66 cm
18 - 26 inches
56 - 66 cm
22 - 26 inches
Height Female:
41 - 61 cm
16 - 25 inches
52 - 62 cm
20 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
14 - 27 kg
30 - 60 pounds
25 - 46 kg
55 - 102 pounds
Weight Female:
12 - 25 kg
26 - 56 pounds
20 - 35 kg
44 - 78 pounds
Life Span:
14 - 16 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 8
5 - 7
Size:
Large dog
Large dog
Other Names:
MC
New Zealand Huntaway, New Zealand Sheepdog
Colors Available:
yellow, brown, blue, or brindle white on face and chest
commonly black and tan, tricolour, variable
Coat:
short
smooth or rough
Shedding:
Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Quiet
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful, Responsive, Sweet
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Old English Sheepdog vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  2. Rough Collie vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  3. Saarlooswolfhond vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  4. Huntaway vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  5. Huntaway vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  6. Huntaway vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  7. Huntaway vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  8. Huntaway vs Bouvier des Flandres - Breed Comparison
  9. Huntaway vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  10. Huntaway vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  11. Huntaway vs Czechoslovakian Wolfdog - Breed Comparison
  12. Perro de Pastor Mallorquin vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  13. South Russian Ovcharka vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  14. Mioritic Sheepdog vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  15. Samoyed vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  16. Mixed vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  17. Presa Canario vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  18. Perro de Presa Canario vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  19. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  20. Saluki vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  21. Mountain Cur vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  22. Rajapalayam vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  23. Schnauzerdor vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  24. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Mountain Cur - Breed Comparison
  25. Saluki vs Mountain Cur - Breed Comparison
  26. Mountain Cur vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  27. Mountain Cur vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  28. Mountain Cur vs Francais Blanc et Noir - Breed Comparison
  29. Mountain Cur vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  30. Mountain Cur vs Borzoi - Breed Comparison
  31. Mountain Cur vs Black and Tan Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  32. Mountain Cur vs Black Mouth Cur - Breed Comparison
  33. Mountain Cur vs American English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  34. Mountain Cur vs Ibizan Hound - Breed Comparison
  35. Mountain Cur vs Austrian Black and Tan Hound - Breed Comparison
  36. Mountain Cur vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison
  37. Mountain Cur vs Azawakh - Breed Comparison
  38. Mountain Cur vs Hanover Hound - Breed Comparison
  39. Mountain Cur vs Majestic Tree Hound - Breed Comparison
  40. Mountain Cur vs Chart Polski - Breed Comparison
  41. Mountain Cur vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  42. Mountain Cur vs Hortaya Borzaya - Breed Comparison
  43. Mountain Cur vs Circassian Orloff Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  44. Rajapalayam vs Mountain Cur - Breed Comparison
  45. Plott Hound vs Mountain Cur - Breed Comparison
  46. Petit Gascon Saintongeois vs Mountain Cur - Breed Comparison
  47. Otterhound vs Mountain Cur - Breed Comparison
  48. Mudhol Hound vs Mountain Cur - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds