Wire Fox Terrier vs Mountain View Cur - Breed Comparison

The Mountain View Cur is an American bred dog that resulted from years of deliberate breeding and careful culling of the litters to improve the Mountain Cur into a hunting dog with a better temperament and a stronger hunting instinct. Because of these generations of culling and refining the Mountain View Cur is so uniform within the breed that it is considered a thoroughbred as well as a purebred. Developed at the end of the 1980’s by Michael and Marie Bloodgood. The foundation for their breeding program was the Mountain Cur.

The new Mountain View Cur were meant to be stronger in every way than the original Mountain Cur. They could track, hunt and tree both large and small prey. It’s work ethic is unsurpassed regardless of the weather or terrain. Highly intelligent and motivated the Mount View Cur can use its incredible prey drive to follow the game at any cost. Yet it can be trusted off lease because while hunting the Mountain View Cur will instinctively go to the hunter and check in occasionally.

This breed is ultimate hunter, known for treeing squirrels and racoons. His strongest drive is to please the human he is with. He has a gentle, loving temperament. Because of their desire to please, they are great companion animals as well as hunters. In addition to coons and squirrels, the Mountain View Cur could hunt possum, coyote, pheasants, turkey, hare, grouse, hare and rabbits. They are also willing to fight with lions, bobcats, bears, and wild boars. Surprisingly they can herd as well.

They are a healthy breed and very hearty with a long lifespan. They are extremely popular in the mountains and hills of Appalachia, but they are rare and almost unknown outside the United States. Puppies are very expensive and there is a waiting list that could be very long. The original Mountain View Curs descended from just two Mountain Curs – one male, one female. As the program went on Mountain View Curs were bred to Mountain Views Curs and then other Mountain Curs were added in.

Originally the breed was registered as a part of the Kemmer Stock Breeders Association Registry. Eventually however the breeders of View Curs came to believe that they had an entirely new breed and the American Squirrel and Night Hunters Association was the choice to register the breed in 1995. One year later the Mountain View Cur Registry was founded.

The wire fox terrier was developed in England by fox hunting enthusiasts. They wanted a feisty dog that could chase foxes down their burrows.

It is thought that the dog descended from the rough-coated black and tan working terriers of Wales.

The dog wasn’t popular as a pet until the 1930s when its appearance in certain films gave it a popularity-boost.

The Mountain View Cur is a rugged, healthy breed that has very little in common with its ancestor the Mountain Cur at least in its looks. The Mountain View Cur is born with no dewclaws while the Mountain Cur has them. The Mountain View Cur is a stronger and more muscular breed as well. They have a flat domed head with ears that are high set and short. Her eyes are dark and prominent, its neck and back strong and muscular, while its chest is deep. Half the pups are born with a bobtail and half have their tales docked. About 10% are black, brindle or brindle and black. They all have white on the feet, chest and muzzle.

The Wire Fox Terrier is a sturdy, medium-sized dog that weighs between 7 and 9kg and stands between 35 and 39cm at the withers.

The dog’s double coat is essentially white with brown or tan markings and can be medium length and wiry, tending to be curly too.

He is a light shedder. The face is long, without much shape and eyes appear to be fairly close together. The ears are fairly small and they fold forward toward the cheeks. The tail is docked and is held high.

Temperament:

This really is an intelligent dog and can’t tolerate being bored. It’s essentially a companion dog too and doesn't want to be separated from his owners for too long.

As a companion dog he is going to want a lot of attention. They’re independent and strong-willed and will benefit from training and socialization.

They are great around children but they do need to be supervised as they are inclined to nip, especially when highly excited. They also bark quite a bit and the owner might have to do something to stop this yapping, especially when the dog is bored.

Children friendliness

Very child friendly, playful and gentle

Special talents

Scent and well-disciplined self-control

Adaptability

This breed is designed to work and to hunt. They are happiest when they have a job or are in the woods with you. They have excess energy and need space. They will not do well as a 24 hour inside dogs. They need space to run and hunt.

Learning ability

Highly intelligent, excellent ability to learn whatever you want to teach them.

The Wire Fox Terrier is such a canine friend, ready to be with you no matter what you’re doing. They are social dogs and love being involved with their human companions.

He is independent but still social and enthusiastic and you can describe him as the ideal family dog.

He is a bundle of energy, and when you bring him into your home, you’re going to get a family member who is playful, joyful, loving and loyal – your very best friend.

The Mountain View Cur is a very healthy breed without a lot of genetic issues due to the purity and isolation of the breed. No genetic deformities or illness. They are susceptible to a few health concerns.

Bloat – like most larger dogs, the Mountain View Cur is susceptible to bloat. This occurs when the dog’s internal organs, stomach and intestines become inverted and twisted. This can occur when the dog eats a large meal immediately before or after strenuous exercise.

• Ear Infections – Ears need to be kept clean especially after every hunt.
• Eye Infections/Issues – Similar to ear infections
• Hunting Accidents – by far the biggest danger to the breed is accidents

These are healthy dogs, and if you get your dog from a responsible breeder, he will have been checked for health conditions such as cataracts, hip dysplasia, and luxating patellas.

Cataracts:

Cataracts are a problem with the lens of the eye. The lens focuses light and it should be crystal clear. A cataract obscures vision. Sometimes the cataract can be very small but other times it can grow to the size of the lens and then it can cause blindness.

Most times, dogs with cataracts can still see, and even though a dog may experience some confusion with a cataract, they don’t hurt the dog. They don’t go away on their own and will need to be removed surgically. If you see your dog has a cataract, consult your vet to get their opinion on the matter.

Allergies:

Your dog may be licking and scratching a lot and it may just be that your dog has a frustrating and irritating skin problem. This itching isn’t a disease but rather a cause of some disease.

There could be so many things that are causing your pet to scratch and it could be a skin disease, parasites or allergies. It can be terrible seeing the frustration it causes your pet and he will certainly need to see the vet.

Feeding the puppy

The Mountain View Cur puppy after 12 weeks of age will need to eat 3 meals per day until they are 6 months old. From 6 months to one year they need 2 meals a day. They need high quality dry dog food made especially for puppies that will become large dogs.

Feeding the adult

An adult Mountain View Cur can eat only once a day and be healthy. They need a high quality dry food for large dogs.

Points for Good Health

Extremely healthy breed with stamina and speed.

Games and Exercises

The Mountain View Cur is a hunter and an extremely active one at that. They also have herding tendencies. Though they are not hyper, they need a lot of exercise. They also need a job. They want nothing more than to please their person, but they need a job to stimulate both his body and mind. He needs daily walks and a fenced yard to run in. They are good at agility, search and rescue, herding, field trials, police work, and hunting.

Grooming:

This dog will need to be brushed regularly. Some people hand-strip their dogs. Most people prefer just to take their pets to a professional groomer to have them professionally clipped. The groomers will simultaneously clip his nails, clean the inside of his ears and also clean his teeth.

Diet:

The Wire Fox Terrier will expect you to supply him with high-quality dog food if you opt to use commercially manufactured dog food. These foods can be wonderfully convenient but you want the food to be packed with natural ingredients and be high in vitamins and minerals.

Any diet should also be appropriate to the dog’s age, his size, and his activity levels. Some homemade foods can also be a treat but this needs to be simple with no heavy spicing. Things such as boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables can be an excellent choice.

Cool, fresh water should be available at all times.