Treeing Cur

The Treeing Cur is a hunting dog from the Midwest of the United States. Its main job is to drive squirrels, raccoons and other small game up a tree and hold them there for the hunter. It is also used on big game such as bears and mountain lions, and as a guard.

History

For a long time “treeing cur” meant any dog, whatever its background, that specialized in treeing game. According to the United Kennel Club, most cur breeders were not well off and needed one dog that could hunt, guard and work stock, and the Treeing Cur was the result.

The National Treeing Cur Association was formed in 1993, once it was accepted that the dogs were a distinct breed. The United Kennel Club recognised it on November 1, 1998. Before then, Treeing Curs were entered in hunting competitions as “grade dogs”. One well-known early dog, Limbgripper Ranger, was world champion squirrel dog four times and is in the association’s Hall of Fame.

Appearance

The Treeing Cur is a medium-sized, athletic dog, 18 to 24 inches (46 to 61 cm) tall and 30 to 60 pounds (14 to 27 kg) in weight. The United Kennel Club calls it the most varied of the cur breeds in size and color. Any color or pattern is accepted except albino, which lets breeders choose dogs for ability alone.

The coat is short, dense and close, with a soft undercoat. The ears hang naturally. The tail is usually docked, is sometimes a natural bob, and may also be left long. The dog should move smoothly and look like a working animal built for stamina. Under the United Kennel Club standard, scars are not penalized.

Temperament

The Treeing Cur is fast and agile over rough ground and has a very good nose, often picking up game that other breeds miss. It is usually silent on the trail of a squirrel and loud on the trail of a raccoon.

It can live as a family pet. It bonds very closely with its people, and for that reason it is advised not to keep other dogs alongside it.

Facts on this page were checked against Wikipedia and may have changed since.