Cur for the kids!

[THunt]

Ok after a lot of reading I have decided I would like to get a cur for my boys this spring.  Im a little torn on which breed to go with.  I have it narrowed down to: mountain cur, blackmouth, and kemmer.
I'm willing to listen to anyone that has knowledge or experience with those breeds. The main trait is a family dog that will go everywhere.

They look like a great balance between coon hunting/family/ and side kick.  I'm having a really tough time finding anyone that breeds them anywhere close to Washington. If anyone has any info it would really help.

[h20hunter]

Doesn't Machias have curs?

[THunt]

Yes im hoping he will chime in!

[Machias]

I had to sell my guys back in Jul   All three of those breeds have loyal and strong followings.  I would just go visit with some breeders and see which one's personality fits in with your family.  Is it just going to be a companion dog for your son or are you also wanting to do some hunting with him?  If so, what type of hunting do you want to do and how do you want your dog to hunt?  Those are important questions to make sure you get the right breed.

[WAcoyotehunter]

Good choice!  Curs are awesome dogs.  I have a blackmouth cur and love her.  She is good with other dogs, kids, neighbors... whatever and is a pretty good hunting dog.  I have used her mostly for cats but she does good on bears and coons too...I've even made her do water retrieves for ducks in small water. 

A buddy has a litter of cur dogs on the ground now down in TX.  They are top notch hog dogs, but I think they'll make good bear dogs.  Of course, they are good family animals too.

[THunt]

Yes it will mainly be a companion dog but would like to run some coons and maybe a cat with it.  I have had hounds before and I really like the idea of a dog that checks in or at least hunts mid range.  I hated leaving a dog in the woods after looking all night.  I'm not sure if all cur breeds hunt close?

Do you guys know of any breeders that are reasonably close?

[WAcoyotehunter]

Big SKy curs over in MT.  I got mine from a guy named Lee Zehtner over in white sulfur springs.

Make sure you do a bit of research on them...not all curs are created equal and there are seom breeders popping up that have dogs that I would be embarrassed top keep...

[Machias]

It's all a matter of personal choice.  Me personally I love the American Leopard Curs hunting ability and personality.  If you've had hounds you'd probably really enjoy a Leopard Cur.  The Leopard Cur is going through a transition the last few years.  I'll spare you all the drama, but the breed has basically split into two separate breeds, Leopard Curs and Leopard Hounds.  The Leopard Hounds were recognized by UKC as the 7th hound breed.  Caused quite a rift in the Breeders.  I don't like the direction the Leopard Hounds are taking and stick with the old time Leopard Curs.  The are very loyal, very smart, very fast, gritty, open on the track and good treeing instincts.  Perfect for what you are describing.  I could put you in touch with a couple of breeders in WA if you think you are interested.

[WAcoyotehunter]

That leopard cur you brought last year was a dandy!  He probably saved a dogs life with the bayed lion.  where did he end up?

[Machias]

He's on the Oregon coast chasing bobcats.  I really enjoyed hunting him.

[WAcoyotehunter]

I was impressed by that dog...he was a good one!  Season in ID opens tomorrow.  I will let you know how we do!

[Machias]

I was impressed by that dog...he was a good one!  Season in ID opens tomorrow.  I will let you know how we do!

Good luck!!!  Are you still hunting with Casey?  If so, tell him I said Hi.

[WAcoyotehunter]

ya- I'm sure we'll be hunting together some.  I will tell him.

I'll update a thread if I get lucky this weekend!

[THunt]

Machias I would really like to be able to contact someone that breeds them.  I would love to so see some dogs and talk to more people that have them.

Thanks Tyler

[THunt]

WAcoyotehunter

Have you spent time with any of the dogs from Big Sky Curs?  Im going to give him a call and see what he has to say.

Thanks Tyler

[WAcoyotehunter]

No- I have not.  I know they hunt and have heard good things about them.  They were my first choice for a breeder but did not have anything coming up when I wanted a pup.   

[THunt]

I sent him a email so we will see what he says.  I will let you know how it goes.  Thanks for the info.

[Machias]

I will track some numbers down.  There is a guy in western MT that has some really nice Leopards, he uses them on cats, catches alot of lions and bobcats and even took them up to BC and caught some lynx.  His name is Nick Riley, super nice guy.

[Machias]

Here is a decent place to look, although these are mostly UKC Leopard Hounds you can still find a few Leopard Curs.  This is just my personal belief, the more hound blood you get in your leopard the less they act like curs and more like knuckleheaded hounds.  Some guys like this, not me personally, and there are plenty of hound breeds out there, but to each his own.

http://forums.ukcdogs.com/forumdisplay.php?s=6ddc2d59c7017fe829c6d90537440106&forumid=41

I also see you found your way onto Big Game Houndsmen site, you can probably make contact with Nick Riley there, he's the only guy who breeds Leopard Hounds that I would even consider buying a pup from.  He raises some great pups.  Tell him I said Hi! 

[THunt]

Thanks so much for the leg work.  I will let you know how it goes!

[Machias]

Good luck with whatever breed you go with, "Want more Fur, Hunt with a Cur". 

[bigdad]

THunt, give me a call we can get the boys out with Kenny and I.  421-1235