Mountain Cur vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison

Mountain Cur vs Australian Kelpie - Breed ComparisonAustralian Kelpie is originated from Australia but Mountain Cur is originated from United States. Australian Kelpie may grow 15 cm / 5 inches shorter than Mountain Cur. Australian Kelpie may weigh 7 kg / 15 pounds lesser than Mountain Cur. Both Australian Kelpie and Mountain Cur has almost same life span. Both Australian Kelpie and Mountain Cur has almost same litter size. Australian Kelpie requires Moderate Maintenance. But Mountain Cur requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Hound dog
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Australia
United States
Height Male:
46 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
46 - 66 cm
18 - 26 inches
Height Female:
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
41 - 61 cm
16 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
14 - 20 kg
30 - 45 pounds
14 - 27 kg
30 - 60 pounds
Weight Female:
12 - 20 kg
26 - 45 pounds
12 - 25 kg
26 - 56 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
14 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 7
3 - 8
Size:
Medium
Large
Other Names:
Kelpie, Barb
MC
Colors Available:
Many Colours, from solids to bi-colours - tan, fawn, blue, red, black, chocolate
yellow, brown, blue, or brindle white on face and chest
Coat:
short and dense
short
Shedding:
Moderate
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Alert, Courageous, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Quiet
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

australian kelpieThe energetic Kelpie came into being around 1870, with this working dog breed having a role to play with the herding of sheep in the harsh Australian outback.The sheep and wool industry in Australia has always been big business, and Australian ranchers were looking for a tough dog that could cope with sheep but also cope with the harsh environment.

These are adaptable dogs too and their ancestors include the Coley or Collie, a British herding-type dog, the English- and the Australian Shepherd and the Dingo. In fact it is believed that up to 4% of their genes comes from the Dingo. These adaptable dogs were also brought to North America where they quickly adapted to the different climate and different livestock.

The Australian Kelpie isn’t your regular pet as they are essentially an outdoor, working dog. They are recognized today by the United Kennel Club and registered by the North American Australian Kelpie Registry.

mountain curFrom 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.

Description

The Coat

australian kelpie puppy - descriptionThe Kelpie is a medium-sized dog with a coat that comes in a number of colours – black, chocolate, fawn, red, blue, tan, white and gold. . The nose colour blends in with the dog’s coat colour and can be black, brownish and even pinkish.

A Sharp, Intelligent Look

The Kelpie has a medium-length tail which is low-set. The ears are pricked, giving the dog an intelligent, alert appearance. The dog’s head is also narrow and long, and his eyes are bright and inquisitive.

Lithe and Athletic

The Australian Kelpie has an athletic appearance, with a body which is longer than their height, similar to that of a German Shepherd. Because the Australian Kelpie is such an energetic, active breed, he’ll need plenty of ‘jobs to do’, lots of ball games and other exercise to keep him free from boredom and to ensure he maintains his lithe, lean, muscular limbs.

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.

Characteristics

Friend of Children

australian kelpie dog - characteristicsThe Australian Kelpie is an active, busy, intelligent, loving breed who is highly protective of his human family. He gets on well with children and other pets in the home but you’ll want him trained if you want him to be gentle around children and smaller pets. He does tend to gravitate towards one particular family member as his ‘favourite’ though.

He Must be Busy

Your Kelpie won't do well in an apartment as he is a working dog who wants plenty of place to run and play. If he is bored, it manifests itself with constant barking. Make sure to provide a stimulating, active lifestyle for your Australian Kelpie, provide him with everything a dog needs and you’ll be rewarded with a devoted and loyal companion.

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.

Health Problems

A Healthy Breed

australian kelpie puppies - health problemsYour Australian Kelpie is a hardy breed and you won’t find many health problems with him. Yes, every dog is susceptible to illnesses which are common with all dog breeds, and these are illnesses such as hip dysplasia and cryptorchidism.

You will need to check your Kelpie out for eye disease such as PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy, a group of genetic diseases which are found in some breeds of dogs. This can lead to cataracts and blindness.

Lifestyle and Environment Impact Health

Health problems in your Australian Kelpie can certainly be partially prevented by the way you feed your dog and by the environment you provide him with. Every dog has the potential to develop genetic health problems, but as we’ve said, the Kelpie is a generally healthy breed.

Always find a reputable breeder whose focus is on breeding healthy dogs and who can provide certification that the parents of the dog are clear of defects and are in tip-top condition for breeding.

Puppy Vaccinations

Along with quality food and fresh water, getting your puppy vaccinated is hugely important. Australian Kelpie puppy shots will protect your new 4-legged family member from the likes of distemper, parvovirus and hepatitis. Your puppy will also need additional booster vaccinations after his first shots which start at around 8 weeks of age.

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.

Caring The Pet

Grooming

australian kelpie dogs - caringAustralian Kelpies are low maintenance and their coat is easy to groom and maintain. You want to give him a good brush twice a week to get rid of loose hair. Australian Kelpies are moderate shedders.

Feeding your Kelpie

It is important to get your puppy off on the right foot to avoid health problems later on. Homemade dog food which includes chicken, rice and vegetables is always the best food for your dog. If you can't prepared your own meals for your Kelpie, top grade commercial dog food brands are recommended.

When looking at dog foods, remember that your Kelpie is a working dog – a naturally active breed and you’ll need to look at dog food which has been specially formulated for active dogs. Every dog will need raw meat in their diet if you want to avoid a dog with an itchy, flaky skin, a dog with poor energy levels and a dog that has no resistance to infection.

Training

Every owner who cares for their dog will provide him with socialization and training. The Australian Kelpie is an intelligent breed who responds well to training.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Australian Kelpie vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Australian Kelpie vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Australian Kelpie vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Australian Kelpie vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Australian Kelpie vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Australian Kelpie vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  8. Australian Kelpie vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Australian Kelpie vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Australian Kelpie vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Australian Kelpie vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
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  17. Australian Kelpie vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
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  26. Mountain Cur vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Mountain Cur vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Mountain Cur vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Mountain Cur vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Mountain Cur vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Mountain Cur vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Mountain Cur vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Mountain Cur vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Mountain Cur vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Mountain Cur vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Mountain Cur vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Mountain Cur vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Mountain Cur vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Mountain Cur vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Mountain Cur vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Mountain Cur vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Mountain Cur vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Mountain Cur vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Mountain Cur vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Mountain Cur vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Mountain Cur vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Mountain Cur vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Mountain Cur vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Mountain Cur vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Mountain Cur vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison