Treeing Cur

30-60 lbs
18-24"
Southern USA
The Treeing Cur is one of several Cur breeds that were developed as all around hunting and farming dogs in the southern United States, capable of herding sheep and cattle, guarding the homestead, and hunting down both large and small game. Although they are consummate and courageous hunters they typically make very pleasant and loyal companions within the home as well, and if socialized they are generally amicable towards other canines. A blend of hound dogs, terriers, and feist breeds, Cur dogs like the Treeing Cur were bred for their abilities rather than for their appearance and often vary quite a bit in both size and coloration.
purpose Purpose
All-Around Working Dog
history Date of Origin
1700s-1800s
ancestry Ancestry
Hounds, Terriers, Feist-type Dogs

Treeing Cur Health

Average Size
Male Treeing Cur size stats
Height: 18-24 inches Weight: 30-60 lbs
Female Treeing Cur size stats
Height: 18-24 inches Weight: 30-60 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Usually A Very Healthy Breed
Minor Concerns
  • Usually A Very Healthy Breed
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Deafness
Occasional Tests
  • Physical Examination
  • Brain Auditory Evoked Response (BAER)

Treeing Cur Breed History

The Cur classification is generally reserved for multipurpose hunting and working dogs that were developed in the remote rural areas located in southern portion of the United States. While the word cur is generally defined as an aggressive, unhealthy, or mongrel dog, and is often used to describe a mean or cowardly person, a dog that is registered as a Cur breed is a specialized working animal that was comprised of several types of dogs chosen for their specific skill set, with little to no regard for the canine’s physical appearance. Cur dogs have been mentioned in historical records as far back as the 1700s and in most cases, they were originally blends of hounds and terriers, sometimes with some feist or herding dog thrown in. The Cur breed dogs ended up splitting into several breeds, including the Black Mouth Cur, the Catahoula Cur, and the Mountain Cur, due to the differing environments in which they were developed as well as the differing needs of the farmers and settlers that were breeding them. Like the other Cur breed dogs, the Treeing Cur is an excellent all-around work dog, fully capable of doing stock dog work for sheep or cows, of guarding the hearth and home, and of tracking and hunting, although their specialty is tracking and chasing tree-climbing animals like raccoons, squirrels, and even bears. The Treeing Cur was recognized as a breed by the United Kennel Club in the winter of 1998, due in large part to Cur breeders, Alex and Ray Kovac. 

Treeing Cur Breed Appearance

The Treeing Cur is one of the most varied when it comes to sizes and colors within the cur breeds; all colors are accepted, with the exception of albinism, they can stand between a foot and a half and two feet tall at the shoulder and their weight can range from a modest thirty pounds to a sturdy sixty pounds. They have strong backs that are slightly longer than the dogs are tall and they are endowed with a generous amount of muscle. Their heads are typically rather broad and flat, tapering towards a muzzle that is slightly shorter than the length of the skull with a square black nose that can come in either black or pink. The Treeing Cur has medium-to-long rounded ears that drop down close by the cheeks and their eyes are widely set apart; although brown is the preferred color, they can also come in green, yellow, or blue as well. 

Eye Color Possibilities
blue Treeing Cur eyes
Blue
hazel Treeing Cur eyes
Hazel
brown Treeing Cur eyes
Brown
amber Treeing Cur eyes
Amber
Nose Color Possibilities
black Treeing Cur nose
Black
isabella Treeing Cur nose
Isabella
Coat Color Possibilities
blue Treeing Cur coat
Blue
fawn Treeing Cur coat
Fawn
isabella Treeing Cur coat
Isabella
cream Treeing Cur coat
Cream
red Treeing Cur coat
Red
brown Treeing Cur coat
Brown
gray Treeing Cur coat
Gray
black Treeing Cur coat
Black
brindle Treeing Cur coat
Brindle
sable Treeing Cur coat
Sable
pied Treeing Cur coat
Pied
white Treeing Cur coat
White
silver Treeing Cur coat
Silver
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Treeing Cur straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Treeing Cur Breed Maintenance

These dogs have very low requirements when it comes to grooming, due their easy to care for single-layer coats. This dog should only be bathed when absolutely needed as frequent bathing can cause this dog to develop dry and irritated skin, and brushing is generally only required once or twice a week, to control loose fur and add sheen to the coat. Care of the nails involves a monthly clipping. Exorbitant dental expense can be avoided with a thrice weekly brushing of the teeth. Dogs with drop ears, like the Treeing Cur, are somewhat prone to ear infections. In order to avoid this, many cur owners will clip the excess hair inside the ear canal, as well as ensuring that the ears stay clean and dry. 

Brushes for Treeing Cur
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Hemostat
Hemostat
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Treeing Cur requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Treeing Cur Temperament

These dogs are typically alert, intelligent, and athletic, but while they have a strong desire to please their owner, they also very strong-willed, after all, they were bred to be able and willing to protect their families from large predators like mountain lions and bear, as well as to hunt down brutal wild boar, and to manage livestock like Texas Longhorn. While interactions between canines and younger children always require supervision, this breed is generally friendly and affectionate towards family members of all ages, and with proper socialization they are also generally pleasant towards other dogs as well, however, they do require a firm hand at training in order to prevent them from becoming overly protective of their home and family.  They are naturally skillful hunters and who use all of their senses when they are tracking prey, although some trail their game silently while others bark when they are in pursuit. 

Treeing Cur Activity Requirements

These are extremely athletic and active dogs who were bred for their power and stamina and they tend to require a great deal of exercise to maintain their prowess, at least an hour to an hour and a half of vigorous exercise per day. It is also important to remember that these dogs are as active mentally as they are physically and mental stimulation is as essential as physical activity. Alternative activities like herding or hunting trials, agility training, and even canine freestyle dance can help to satisfy these needs. While these dogs make exceptional rural companions, they are typically uncomfortable in smaller, apartment-like settings. 

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
14 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
75 minutes
activity minutes

Treeing Cur Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
2 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.20 - $1.40
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$25.00 - $30.00
food bag monthly cost

Treeing Cur Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Treeing Cur size stats at six months
Height: 17.5 inches Weight: 31.5 lbs
Female Treeing Cur size stats at six months
Height: 17.5 inches Weight: 31.5 lbs
12 Months
Male Treeing Cur size stats at 12 months
Height: 20.0 inches Weight: 40.5 lbs
Female Treeing Cur size stats at 12 months
Height: 20.0 inches Weight: 40.5 lbs
18 Months
Male Treeing Cur size stats at 18 months
Height: 21.0 inches Weight: 45.0 lbs
Female Treeing Cur size stats at 18 months
Height: 21.0 inches Weight: 45.0 lbs

Treeing Cur Owner Experiences

Sweet Pea
2 Years
1 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Finding squirrels
She's the most affectionate dog aside from a golden retriever that I've ever met. She loves to play with any toy and walks well on a leash.
4 years, 3 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
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