Stephens Cur — breed guide
A Kentucky treeing cur kept pure by one family for a century — the "little black dog" strain of the mountain cur family.
At a glance
- Group
- hound
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 16–25 kg (35–55 lb)
- Life span
- 10–14 years
- Coat
- Short, dense black coat with white trim
Living with a Stephens Cur
- Very high energy — built for work and long days out.
- Almost no grooming.
- Light shedding.
- Quick to learn.
- Barks readily.
- Can do well with children, with care — easier with older kids than toddlers.
- Usually fine with a familiar dog; strange dogs need managing.
- Not a safe bet with cats — this is prey drive rather than a training problem.
- Not well suited to a flat — space, exercise need or voice works against it.
- Better with previous experience behind you.
- Handles warm weather well.
- Average cold tolerance.
Temperament
Gritty · Devoted · Keen · Vocal
Health to watch
- Hip dysplasia
- Ear infections
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Questions people ask
Is a Stephens Cur good with kids?
With care. Stephens Curs generally do well with older children who already know how to behave around a dog; with toddlers, supervise every interaction and give the animal somewhere it can retreat to.
Is a Stephens Cur good with cats?
Usually not. This is prey drive rather than a training problem — a cat that runs can trigger it in a dog that is otherwise impeccably behaved.
How much exercise does a Stephens Cur need?
Hours — this breed needs a job or a long day out.
Can a Stephens Cur handle hot weather?
It copes well with warm days.
Leash Life keeps a Stephens Cur's day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.