Mountain View Cur vs Miniature Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison

The Mountain View Cur is an American bred dog that resulted from years of deliberate breeding and careful culling of the litters to improve the Mountain Cur into a hunting dog with a better temperament and a stronger hunting instinct. Because of these generations of culling and refining the Mountain View Cur is so uniform within the breed that it is considered a thoroughbred as well as a purebred. Developed at the end of the 1980’s by Michael and Marie Bloodgood. The foundation for their breeding program was the Mountain Cur.

The new Mountain View Cur were meant to be stronger in every way than the original Mountain Cur. They could track, hunt and tree both large and small prey. It’s work ethic is unsurpassed regardless of the weather or terrain. Highly intelligent and motivated the Mount View Cur can use its incredible prey drive to follow the game at any cost. Yet it can be trusted off lease because while hunting the Mountain View Cur will instinctively go to the hunter and check in occasionally.

This breed is ultimate hunter, known for treeing squirrels and racoons. His strongest drive is to please the human he is with. He has a gentle, loving temperament. Because of their desire to please, they are great companion animals as well as hunters. In addition to coons and squirrels, the Mountain View Cur could hunt possum, coyote, pheasants, turkey, hare, grouse, hare and rabbits. They are also willing to fight with lions, bobcats, bears, and wild boars. Surprisingly they can herd as well.

They are a healthy breed and very hearty with a long lifespan. They are extremely popular in the mountains and hills of Appalachia, but they are rare and almost unknown outside the United States. Puppies are very expensive and there is a waiting list that could be very long. The original Mountain View Curs descended from just two Mountain Curs – one male, one female. As the program went on Mountain View Curs were bred to Mountain Views Curs and then other Mountain Curs were added in.

Originally the breed was registered as a part of the Kemmer Stock Breeders Association Registry. Eventually however the breeders of View Curs came to believe that they had an entirely new breed and the American Squirrel and Night Hunters Association was the choice to register the breed in 1995. One year later the Mountain View Cur Registry was founded.

Known as Mini Foxies or Toy Fox Terriers, these dogs hail from Australia, having been bred there since the 1800s already.

They are descendants of fox terrier types which were bred in England and then brought to Australia by early settlers.

It is believed the small Smooth Fox Terriers were crossed with Manchester Terriers and then the puppies further bred and crossed with other small breeds. The idea was to have a small, light, quick dog. The Miniature Fox Terrier is exactly like this, developed as a hunting dog.

The Mountain View Cur is a rugged, healthy breed that has very little in common with its ancestor the Mountain Cur at least in its looks. The Mountain View Cur is born with no dewclaws while the Mountain Cur has them. The Mountain View Cur is a stronger and more muscular breed as well. They have a flat domed head with ears that are high set and short. Her eyes are dark and prominent, its neck and back strong and muscular, while its chest is deep. Half the pups are born with a bobtail and half have their tales docked. About 10% are black, brindle or brindle and black. They all have white on the feet, chest and muzzle.

With longevity on his side, the Miniature Fox Terrier can live to be between 10 and 14 years of age or live to be even older - up to 18 years of age.

He stands at between 24 – 30cm and weighs anything between 3 and 6kg. His coat is short but he sheds quite a bit so regular brushing will become necessary.

The coat is smooth and is mostly white and tan or white and black but it can be tri-colored too – white, black and tan.

The ears are semi-erect, semi floppy and he has a bright, expectant look about him. The tail has always been traditionally docked, giving him a distinctive look, but now it tends to be undocked.

Temperament:

Your Miniature Fox Terrier is a bold little dog, and is protective and loyal towards his human family. He is lively and courageous and has lots of energy so he will be wanting lots of games indoors and out. He will love to go on a walk every day.

They make great family pets, getting on well with children and other pets in the home. They’re adaptable and can do well in the city or the countryside.

Children friendliness

Very child friendly, playful and gentle

Special talents

Scent and well-disciplined self-control

Adaptability

This breed is designed to work and to hunt. They are happiest when they have a job or are in the woods with you. They have excess energy and need space. They will not do well as a 24 hour inside dogs. They need space to run and hunt.

Learning ability

Highly intelligent, excellent ability to learn whatever you want to teach them.

Miniature Fox Terriers aren’t going to disappoint you one bit in terms of making an excellent pet.They make great family pets. They are loyal companions and they also make great watchdogs, being able to adapt to life in the city as well as the countryside.

They can yap quite loudly so you need to be careful of this if you live in a small property in the city.

This is such a jaunty little dog, full of fun and high spirits. You won’t know a dull moment with such a friendly, entertaining little pet. In exchange for all he offers you in terms of friendship, he also wants your love and attention.

Provide him with good food, a good deal of exercise, a dry, warm place to sleep and your ongoing attention and he is going to shower you with his love and loyalty.

The Mountain View Cur is a very healthy breed without a lot of genetic issues due to the purity and isolation of the breed. No genetic deformities or illness. They are susceptible to a few health concerns.

Bloat – like most larger dogs, the Mountain View Cur is susceptible to bloat. This occurs when the dog’s internal organs, stomach and intestines become inverted and twisted. This can occur when the dog eats a large meal immediately before or after strenuous exercise.

• Ear Infections – Ears need to be kept clean especially after every hunt.
• Eye Infections/Issues – Similar to ear infections
• Hunting Accidents – by far the biggest danger to the breed is accidents

Your Miniature Fox Terrier can live to be between 10 and 14 years of age when looked after well, but there are one or two common dog illness that can plague any dog, and Paella Luxation is one.

Patella luxation is fairly common with small dogs, occuring when the dog’s kneecap becomes dislocated from its thigh bone.Your dog will skip and hop along. Treatment for patella luxation can range from non-invasive treatments such as massage to surgery.

Dental health is important too, and seriously bad breath can be indicative of dental decay. Dental plaque can cause bad breath and lead to other health problems that aren’t directly related to teeth. The heart and kidneys can be put at risk. There are dental products such as canine toothbrush and toothpaste which can be used to clean your dog’s teeth. Don’t ever use human toothpaste as this can be toxic for your pet.

Feeding the puppy

The Mountain View Cur puppy after 12 weeks of age will need to eat 3 meals per day until they are 6 months old. From 6 months to one year they need 2 meals a day. They need high quality dry dog food made especially for puppies that will become large dogs.

Feeding the adult

An adult Mountain View Cur can eat only once a day and be healthy. They need a high quality dry food for large dogs.

Points for Good Health

Extremely healthy breed with stamina and speed.

Games and Exercises

The Mountain View Cur is a hunter and an extremely active one at that. They also have herding tendencies. Though they are not hyper, they need a lot of exercise. They also need a job. They want nothing more than to please their person, but they need a job to stimulate both his body and mind. He needs daily walks and a fenced yard to run in. They are good at agility, search and rescue, herding, field trials, police work, and hunting.

Feed your terrier a quality commercially manufactured dog food twice a day. They are small dogs, but highly energetic so choose dog foods which are geared towards small, energetic dogs.

His age and his activity levels will also give you an idea as to what to feed him. Apart from dry kibble, give him simple, tasty, nutritious home-made food too.Every now and again, add in boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some cooked vegetables such as potato, carrots and spinach. A little bit of raw meat occasionally can also do wonders.

Keep meals plain and simple like this to avoid stomach upsets.

Ensure your pet has constant access to fresh, cool water.

Brush him twice a week to keep the coat free of loose hair. Try and avoid bathing your pet as it causes dry skin and itchiness. Rather wipe him down with a rubber grooming mitt to keep him groomed.

Check his eyes and ears for infection. Check for fleas and ticks and any unusual lumps. Trim his nails too.

Take him to the vet when he appears to be ill and keep his vaccines up to date.