"Gone But Not Forgotten" "7/15/85 - 2/12/2000" Grove's Hardwood Georgetta |
"Gone But Not Forgotten" "5/21/88 - 11/24/03" Smith's Streak J.R. |
John Grove with dogs out of the great cross of Smith's Streak J.R. and Grove's Hardwood Georgetta |
History of the Original Mountain Cur Mountain Curs are the pioneer dogs of the Southern Mountains. Many old-timers have said that without Mt. Curs, or bear dogs, the Southern Mountains could not have been settled by the pioneers. Mt. Curs were a necessity for the frontier family. They guarded the family against wild animals and other dangers and caught, treed and holed animals for the family's food. When moving to a new home, pioneers provided for the Mt. Cur puppies. Baskets were slung across the back of pack animals and the puppies rode. If no pack animals were available, family members carried the valuable puppies. Our Mt. Curs came from Europe along with their owners, who came to America seeking new homes. Settlers landed along the eastern coast of the New World. Restless souls moved down the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia into the Carolinas, across the Appalachian Mountains, along the Wilderness Trail into Kentucky and Tennessee and south and west into Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Missouri. The colors of Mt. Curs of early days are dominant today: brindle, yellow, black and blue. Some have white markings. All these dogs have such traits as strong treeing instinct on all game. The Mt. Cur today is still a "varmint" dog-hunting whatever game his master wants. He is also a guard dog, farm dog and family protector. This dog is put down and ridiculed by some uninformed people because of the word "Cur". In Mt. Cur, the word "Cur" is used idiomatically and has a meaning of "low" or "worthless." Mountain Curs Today Many stories have been written about the Mt. Cur dogs of the past. How they served the settlers as companion, guard dog and meat winner for the table. But what about the Mt. Cur of today? Do they still have a place in the modern world, which is mostly dominated by hounds or are they just past history? Yes, the Mt. Cur is a dog for today and the future. The Mt. Cur has proven itself as a big game dog with fearless ability and courage. Many a big game hunter has been saved by his fearless Mt. Curs. They have been hunted on most big game animals with great success. In a fight with a wild boar, bear, or mountain lion, a Mt. Cur will fight until he has no more strength even until death. They don't know the meaning of the word "quit." Since we all can't be big game hunters, what about small game? As coon and squirrel dogs, they have no equal. With their magnificent scenting ability, they can search out game like radar. Mt. Curs run a track with their heads in the air. They have no need to put their noses to the ground as hounds do and no other breed of dog trees any harder than the Mt. Cur. The Mt. Cur is also a friend, companion, and guard dog, Most Mt. Curs become devoted to their owners and willing to give him all. The Mt. Cur will even lay down his life for his master. They become very possessive of a family, considering it as their own. |
Dogs L to R - Oscar, Thunder, Red Oak Rusty, Sauer's Twister, Rocky Ridge Yankee, Buchshot Willie, Jordan Creek Tyge. Not pictured: Martin's Cody, Sauer's Sport and Hoosier's Town Blaze. Several of these dogs are State, National and World Champion Squirrel and Coon Dogs. |
