Stephens Cur
Encyclopedia
The Stephens Cur is a scent hound
that belongs to the Cur
dog breed. They were originally bred by the Stephens' family in southeastern Kentucky
. The dogs known as "little darkies" were bred by generations of that family for over a century. In 1970, they were recognized as separate and distinct breed of Cur. The dog is mostly black with white markings, but more than a third white is not permissible. It's good for hunting raccoon
and squirrel
, but can also be used to bay wild boars. They are registered with the United Kennel Club
, and the Continental Kennel Club.
.
By the 1940s, the Mountain Cur had become close to extinction. Four breeders started programs to save the breed, they were Hugh Stephens of Kentucky, Carl McConnel of Virginia, Woody Huntsman of Kentucky and Dewey Ledbetter of Tennessee. They founded the Mountain Cur Club, later renamed the Original Mountain Cur Breeders Association (OMCBA), and continued the breeding of Mountain Cur strains. The Treeing Cur
and the Mountain View Cur
were developed from these strains.
The Stephens' Stock Mountain Cur was identified in 1970 by its namesake Hugh Stephens who believed it was now different enough from the original strains of Mountain Cur, and so the Stephen's Breeders Association (SBA) was formed. On 1 November 1998, the breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club
, and is also recognised by the Continental Kennel Club.
.
They are a medium sized dog, with Mountain Cur and Blackmouth Cur
being larger varieties of Cur type dogs, the Stephens' Breeders Association standard requires the dogs to be between 16–23 in (40.6–58.4 cm) in height and no heavier than 55 pounds (24.9 kg).
Scent hound
Scent hounds are a type of hound that primarily hunts by scent rather than sight. The Scenthound breeds are generally regarded as having some of the most sensitive noses among canines....
that belongs to the Cur
Cur
Cur as slang refers to a type of random-bred, or mixed-breed dog. This article deals with Cur as a breed.-Etymology:The derivation of the word "cur" dates from the 13th century. It is thought to be short for the Middle English "curdogge", which derives from the word "curren", meaning "to growl"...
dog breed. They were originally bred by the Stephens' family in southeastern Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. The dogs known as "little darkies" were bred by generations of that family for over a century. In 1970, they were recognized as separate and distinct breed of Cur. The dog is mostly black with white markings, but more than a third white is not permissible. It's good for hunting raccoon
Raccoon
Procyon is a genus of nocturnal mammals, comprising three species commonly known as raccoons, in the family Procyonidae. The most familiar species, the common raccoon , is often known simply as "the" raccoon, as the two other raccoon species in the genus are native only to the tropics and are...
and squirrel
Squirrel
Squirrels belong to a large family of small or medium-sized rodents called the Sciuridae. The family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots , flying squirrels, and prairie dogs. Squirrels are indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa and have been introduced to Australia...
, but can also be used to bay wild boars. They are registered with the United Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
The United Kennel Club is the second oldest all-breed registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States and the second largest in the world. According to the website, the club records 250,000 registrations annually. The UKC is not part of the International Canine Organisation, Fédération...
, and the Continental Kennel Club.
History
Hundreds of years ago, the term "cur" referred to dogs of mixed ancestry. However it came to be used for a working type of dog in the Southern United States. These dogs were used by early settlers for hunting and as guard dogs in Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. These dogs came to be known as the Mountain CurMountain Cur
The Mountain Cur is a type of working dog that are bred specifically for treeing and trailing small game, like squirrel and raccoons. They're also used for hunting and baying big game like bear and wild boar as well as being just an all-purpose farm dog. Curs are a member of the Hound group, and...
.
By the 1940s, the Mountain Cur had become close to extinction. Four breeders started programs to save the breed, they were Hugh Stephens of Kentucky, Carl McConnel of Virginia, Woody Huntsman of Kentucky and Dewey Ledbetter of Tennessee. They founded the Mountain Cur Club, later renamed the Original Mountain Cur Breeders Association (OMCBA), and continued the breeding of Mountain Cur strains. The Treeing Cur
Treeing Cur
The "Treeing Cur" is a type of mixed breed dog that originated in the Southern U.S.A. It is used to tree squirrels, raccoons, and opossums. The dog can have any breed of dog in it, but must meet the breed standards which are loosely stated. Usually a dog that is over 30 lbs and has 1 tree dog...
and the Mountain View Cur
Mountain View Cur
Mountain View Curs is a specific cur founded by Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Bloodgood, of Bonnieville, Kentucky. It is a type of working dog used for treeing and trailing game; mainly squirrel and raccoon, but also large game. It is a member of the Hound group.-History:The Mountain View Cur was...
were developed from these strains.
The Stephens' Stock Mountain Cur was identified in 1970 by its namesake Hugh Stephens who believed it was now different enough from the original strains of Mountain Cur, and so the Stephen's Breeders Association (SBA) was formed. On 1 November 1998, the breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
The United Kennel Club is the second oldest all-breed registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States and the second largest in the world. According to the website, the club records 250,000 registrations annually. The UKC is not part of the International Canine Organisation, Fédération...
, and is also recognised by the Continental Kennel Club.
Description
A Stephens Cur is usually dark grey or black with white markings on the chest, neck and feet. The breed has a dome shaped head with a short muzzle and brown or dark colored eyes. They have a deep broad chest, medium length neck and have either a smooth or rough coatCoat (dog)
The coat of the domestic dog refers to the hair that covers its body. A dog's coat may be a double coat, made up of a soft undercoat and a coarser topcoat, or a single coat, which lacks an undercoat...
.
They are a medium sized dog, with Mountain Cur and Blackmouth Cur
Blackmouth Cur
The Blackmouth Cur is "a dog that is multitalented. Primarily BMCs are herding dogs able to hunt big or small game, and still be loving, gentle family dogs willing to protect the home" that has its origins in the Southern United States of America....
being larger varieties of Cur type dogs, the Stephens' Breeders Association standard requires the dogs to be between 16–23 in (40.6–58.4 cm) in height and no heavier than 55 pounds (24.9 kg).