Raising dogs, especially providing care for the mountain cur, is a specialty of humans across the globe. Zoologists have proven that dogs were domesticated sometime between 12,000 and twenty five thousand years ago—and that canines evolved from wolves. Since then, people have selectively bred more than four hundred breeds, which range in size from four-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, who have earned the title of tallest canine. But the most popular pooches are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The mountain cur is also a favorite choice among canine owners. Many owners are oblivious, however, of many of the most crucial mountain cur care tips.
General health care cost of the mountain cur
The annual cost of caring for your mountain cur—to include food and snacks, veterinary care, toys and license—could range between $420 and $780. This figure doesn’t include capital expenses for spay/neuter operations, a collar and leash, a dog carrier and a doggie crate. Tip: Be positive you have all of the required supplies before you bring your mountain cur home.
Basic mountain cur Care
Feeding your mountain cur
- mountain cur pups between eight and 12 weeks old need four bowls of food in a twenty-four hour period.
- Feed mountain cur pups 3 to 6 months old 3 meals in a day.
- Feed puppies 6 months old to one year 2 meals every 24 hours.
- By the time the mountain cur reaches his or her 1st birthday, one meal daily is all that’s required.
- Many times adult mountain curs might prefer two smaller servings. It’s your responsibility to adapt to your mountain cur’s eating tendencies.
Excellent-quality dry food ensures balanced nutrition to adult mountain curs and may be mixed with broth, water, or canned food. Your mountain cur may like cooked eggs, cottage cheese, and fruits and vegetables, but these dishes shouldn’t total more than 10 pct of her daily allowance. mountain cur puppies must be given excellent-quality, name brand puppy food. Please try to limit “table food”, though, because it can cause mineral and vitamin imbalances, tooth and bone issues, and might result in extremely finicky eating habits as well as obesity. Give clean, potable water exclusively, and make certain to wash water and food bowls very regularly.
mountain cur Care Tips: Make sure your mountain cur gets some daily physical activity
mountain curs must have some daily physical activity in order to stay fit, recharge their minds, and maintain their health. Daily activity also really helps mountain curs fight boredom, which often leads to difficult behavior. Getting out of the house will quench most of your mountain cur’s desires to chase, retrieve, chew, dig and herd. Exercise needs will vary based on your mountain cur’s level of health and her age—but merely a couple of walks around the block every day and ten minutes outside probably will not be enough. If your mountain cur is a 6 to 18 month adolescent, her requirements will be relatively higher.
mountain cur Grooming
Regular brushing will help reduce shedding and keep your mountain cur clean. Inspect for fleas and ticks every day during the summer or other warm weather. Most mountain curs don’t need to be bathed more than a few times a year. Prior to giving him a bath, cut out or comb any and all mats from the mountain cur’s hair. Rinse all soap from the coat, or dirt will stick to soap residue.
How to Handle Your mountain cur
Puppies, as opposed to adults, are obviously easier to handle. While carrying the mountain cur pup, put one hand under your dog’s chest, either with the forearm or other hand supporting the hind legs and rear. Never try to grab or lift your puppy by his or her front legs, nape or tail. If you must lift a larger, adult mountain cur, pick it up from underneath, supporting his or her chest with 1 of your arms and rear end with the other.
Housing the mountain cur
mountain curs need a cozy quiet spot to rest away from all the breezes and away from the floor. You may wish to buy a dog bed, or prefer making one from a wood box. Place a clean comforter or pillow inside the bed for cushioning. Wash the mountain cur’s bed covering frequently. If your mountain cur will be outdoors much, be certain he has covering and plenty of cool water in hot weather, and a covered, warm, dry shelter in winter.
Licensing and Identification for mountain curs
Make certain to follow the community’s licensing regulations. Make certain to connect the license to your mountain cur’s collar. This, along with an ID tattoo or tag, can possibly help you recover your mountain cur should she get lost.
mountain cur Behavior Information
Thoughts on mountain cur Training
Well-mannered, companion mountain curs can be a a joy. However, when untrained, your dog will most likely be a pain. Training your mountain cur on the minimums—”Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, and “Leave it”—strengthens your relationship with both the pooch as well as your neighbors. If you have a puppy, begin training her on the right behavior asap! Doggie snacks can be used as incentive and recognition. Pups should be enrolled in obedience class when they are sufficiently vaccinated. Contact your community humane society or SPCA for information about training schools. It is wise to walk your mountain cur leashed while in public, even as a puppy. Just be certain your dog will come back to you at all times whenever you say. A disobedient or aggressive mountain cur should not play with children.
About your mountain cur’s Health
mountain curs should visit the vet for a full exam, innoculations and heartworm screening annualy, and ASAP if she is injured or sick.
The Oral Health of Your mountain cur
Although we might simply dislike our mountain cur’s bad breath, we must pay attention to what it may be a sign of. Foul breath usually means that your mountain cur should have a dental check up. Dental plaque triggered by bacteria results in a bad odor that can only be cured by the help of a professional. Once your mountain cur has had a professional cleaning, her mouth may be kept healthy by eliminating table food, feeding a special diet focused on maintaining dental health, and brushing regularly. The vet can supply you with other information for mitigating periodontal ailments as well as stinky breath. You should clean your mountain cur’s teeth with a dog toothpaste or a homemade paste made of baking soda and water twice weekly. Use a child’s soft toothbrush, a gauze pad or a piece of nylon stocking stretched over your finger. Periodontal disease,which is an infection between the teeth and gums, often affects mountain curs. This dreadful condition will sometimes result in loss of your mountain cur’s teeth as well as propagate diseases throughout the rest of the body. Veterinarians can clean your dog’s teeth as a regular part of your mountain cur’s health screening.
mountain curs with Bad Breath
Although bad breath caused by oral disease might not be very serious if caught early, sometimes odors may also indicate fairly serious, persistent causes for concern. A fruity, even pleasant smell may be a sign of diabetes, while liver or intestinal diseases may cause foul breath. Kidney disease is a possible cause when your mountain cur’s breath smells of urine or ammonia. Set an appointment with a veterinarian whenever your mountain cur has halitosis along with other signs of disease like excessive urinating or drinking, depression or lethargy, weight loss, nausea, or decreased appetite.
mountain cur Flea and Tick Issues
Daily, regular inspections of your mountain cur for ticks and fleas in the warm seasons are critical. Remove fleas using a flea comb. There are many new procedures of tick mitigation. Talk to your mountain cur’s doctor about her options.
Heartworms in mountain curs
The heartworm is a parasite that lives in the heart and passes from an infested dog to your mountain cur by mosquitoes. Heartworm infestations are potentially fatal. It is important you ensure your mountain cur submits to a blood test for this parasite each year during the spring. A once-a-month pill given throughout the course of mosquito season will protect your mountain cur. Your mountain cur should be on heartworm medication throughout a winter trip to a warmer climate. In some warmer areas, vets advise preventative worm medication throughout the year.
Toxins and Medicines
Do not ever give your mountain cur medicine that hasn’t been prescribed by a veterinarian. As little as one ibuprofen tablet is known to create stomach ulcers in mountain curs. Make sure your mountain cur is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. If you suspect your pooch has ingested a poison, immediately call the doctor or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for 24-hour animal poison instructions.
mountain curs: Neutering and Spaying
Female mountain curs should be spayed—which is the extraction of the ovaries and uterus—and males neutered—extraction of the testes—by 6 months of age. You can significantly diminish your female mountain cur’s breast cancer risk by spaying before adulthood. The risk of a sick uterus, which is also a serious condition that impacts more mature females, will also be eliminated by spaying before six months. Testicular cancer, prostate diseases, certain aggressive behavior and some hernias can be prevented by neutering males.
mountain cur Innoculating
- The combo vaccine (also known as the “5-in-one shot”) needs to be given to your mountain cur at two, 3, and four months of age and then once annually. This immunization protects your pup from hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and distemper. Your mountain cur puppy’s immunization program cannot be completed prior to four months old.
- If your mountain cur has not been vaccinated and is older than 4 months, she will need to be given 2 immunizations as soon as possible, 2 or three weeks apart. After that you must vaccinate every year.
- mountain cur puppy vaccination and socialization should coincide. Most vets advise that new owners bring their mountain cur puppies to socialization classes, as early as 8 or 9 weeks of age. At this point, they should have already received at least their first vaccinations.
Laws vary so much around the country, that it’s best to call your community vet about rabies vaccination info. For example, in NYC, the statute requires all pets older than 3 months must be vaccinated for rabies. After the initial vaccination, you must get a second shot the following year, and then every 3 years after that. There are several innoculations, many of which are appropriate for your mountain cur. There are others that are not, however. Ask your mountain cur’s vet for her opinion. Note, if your mountain cur happens to get ill because she is not innoculated, the immunization can be administered after your dog fully recovers.
Worms in mountain curs
mountain curs are often exposed to worms—especially in rural areas. Eggs that carry roundworms and hookworms are transmitted through a mountain cur’s stool. Even the healthiest of mountain cur puppies carry roundworms or hookworms. The secret to effective treatment is correct diagnosis. This will maximize the possibility that the medication is highly effective against the worms your mountain cur has. A dewormer that eliminates hookworms, for example, can’t kill tapeworms. Your mountain cur’s doctor can best figure out the culprit—and decide the effective medicine.
mountain cur Care Tips: Additional Info
mountain cur Supply Checklist
- Premium-quality dog food and treats specifically designed for mountain curs and similarly-sized dogs
- Food bowl
- Water bowl
- Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
- Brush and comb for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with license and identification tag
- Leash
- Dog carrier (for puppies)
- Training crate
- Dog box or bed with quilt or towel
- Dog toothbrush
The no-no list
The following items should never be fed to mountain curs:
- Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
- Chocolate, coffee, or tea
- Grapes & raisins
- Moldy or spoiled food of any kind
- Onions, garlic or chives
- Bones of chicken, turkey, or any other animal (choking hazard)
- Salt or salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems and unripe fruit
- Yeast dough
The “Bottom” Line
Retain your mountain cur on a leash when you are outdoors, unless you are in a secured, fenced-in place. If your mountain cur goes number 2 on a neighbor’s grass, on the sidewalk or any other public space, please clean it up! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about mountain curs
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