Mountain Cur vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Mountain Cur vs Galgo Espanol - Breed ComparisonGalgo Espanol is originated from Spain but Mountain Cur is originated from United States. Both Galgo Espanol and Mountain Cur are having almost same height. Both Galgo Espanol and Mountain Cur are having almost same weight. Both Galgo Espanol and Mountain Cur has almost same life span. Both Galgo Espanol and Mountain Cur has same litter size. Both Galgo Espanol and Mountain Cur requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Hound dog
undefined
Spain
United States
Height Male:
66 - 67 cm
25 - 27 inches
46 - 66 cm
18 - 26 inches
Height Female:
65 - 66 cm
25 - 26 inches
41 - 61 cm
16 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
27 - 29 kg
59 - 64 pounds
14 - 27 kg
30 - 60 pounds
Weight Female:
23 - 25 kg
50 - 56 pounds
12 - 25 kg
26 - 56 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
14 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
3 - 8
Size:
Large
Large
Other Names:
Spanish Galgo, Galgo, Spanish Greyhound
MC
Colors Available:
(brindle),
yellow, brown, blue, or brindle white on face and chest
Coat:
Smooth or Rough
short
Shedding:
Moderate
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Gentle, Intelligent, Quiet, Sweet
Alert, Courageous, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Quiet
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

galgo espanolGalgo Espanol means Spanish with galgo meaning greyhound, thus a Spanish Greyhound. This breed is ancient with their roots in perhaps the English greyhound and others in the sighthound family. They are much like the greyhound in that they are laid back, calm, gentle and quiet, unless they are competing on the local track. Like the greyhound they are shy and reserved; great with kids and other pets. And of course, they love cats.

There are dogs like the Galgo referred to in writing by the ancient Celts and Romans. One author, Arrian, had his own Galgos and used them when hunting. The breed flourished in the second half of the Middle Ages in Spain and well into the 8th century. When the Christians regained control of the Iberian Peninsula, they did away with the hunter old forms of hunting and introduced a new form with hounds that made the Galgo the pride of the aristocracy and not in the homes of the ordinary people. Arrian claim to two types of dogs, the smooth and rough coated.

Muslim and Chrisitan Kings kept Galgo Espanols. In all probability the Saluke and Galgo were crossbred at this time. It was illegal to kill a Galgo and in 1081, the Mayor of Cartuario of Slonza left his Galgo in his will to Diego Citid. Dogs seen in painting from the 12th century look just like dogs of this breed who can be seen today.

It is believed that when the Galgo was developed, it was in the midsection of Spain or the Castillian plains. They ruled the interior of the country while the bloodhound ruled the exterior. The 18th and 19th centuries saw very little change in the breed. However, in the 20th century, there was cross breeding with the English greyhound that produced a leaner, faster and powerful track racing dog. The results was a faster dog without the long distance stamina of the pure Galgo. For this reason, the breeders returned to breeding the pure professional racing dog.

The sport of racing the Galgo earns Spain around sixty million dollars per year. They train anywhere from three to four thousand of the Galgos every year for Open Field Coursing Championships. Still, there no longer is any cross breeding between the Greyhound and the Galgo. The current coursing programs feature a hare that is much hardier and difficult to pursue so the stamina of the old Galgo Espanol is desired. In Castile, where these games are played, the landscape is open with large fields that requires that the hare travels far greater distances. This means that the stamina of the original Galgo Espanol is needed.

When not racing the Galgos have become great house pets. They have a reputation as gentle dogs that are docile and quiet, with good health. This reputation is well earned. They are also successful show dogs in Europe much more than the states. This is perhaps because they are really rare outside of Spain. They are not recognized by the United Kennel Club nor the American Kennel Club.

mountain curFrom The United States in the hound group comes the Mountain Cur. This breed was developed especially to “tree” their prey and to trail other smaller game. They treed and bayed larger prey like the wild boar and bears in the mountains and they trailed the smaller ones like the raccoon and squirrel. There are many types of curs and this breed is just one. Curs can be water dogs, farm dogs, hunting dogs and guard dogs. However, they are not great family dogs because they were born to hunt.

The Mountain Cur comes out of Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and Virginia. The ancestors of the American Mountain Cur came with European settlers almost 200 years ago. They worked with the settlers to hunt for animals that would provide them with pelts and meat in order to survive on the frontier. The breed became rare when the descendants of the settlers moved to the factories after the second world war.

The breed was brought back by four ambitious men who saved the Mountain Cur. They form the Original Mountain Cur Breeder’s Association of OMCBA in 1956. But they argued over the standard and 2 of the 4 left to form their own association: The Stephen Stock Mountain Cur Association. By 1957 the Mountain Cur Breeder’s Association formed but it took until 1998 for the Mountain Cur to be registered with the United Kennel Club.

The Mountain Cur is a tough, courageous dog as are all the Curs. They are willing to face large and ferocious prey. They are fearless watch dogs, using their trait of being quiet on the hunt to their advantage. The Mountain Cur wants nothing more than making you happy. They have been known to corner bears and even bulls. Given the independence and intelligence of the Mountain Cur it is important that the human be the pack leader, or the Cur will assume the role. If angry the Cur will growl and bite, so being the pack leader is vital for humans.

The novel “Old Yeller” was written about a Mountain Cur – a yellow shorthaired dog with a bobbed tail and terrier blood. Like all Mountain Curs “Old Yeller” hunted and treed prey, fought a bear and held onto the nose of a charging bull. The Cur was the first American purebred dog. Other early lines come from the Appalachian Mountains and near them in southern states. Mixing hounds and terriers created this tough, courageous dog whose tenacity and grit are second to none. Today the Mountain Cur has been split into four distinct breeds: the Mountain Cur, The Mountain View Cur, the Stephens Stock, and the Treeing Tennessee Brindle.

Description

galgo espanol puppy - descriptionObviously the Galgos looks a lot like the Greyhound, but in some very important ways they are very different. The rear of the Galgos is higher than the front and their muscle are flatter. They are built for endurance while the Greyhound is built for speed. The Galgos is a lighter, smaller dog with larger ear on a long head. They have long tails and their chests are not deep like the Greyhounds.

The Galgo comes in smooth and rough coats and a variety of colors. The rough coat protects dogs that are in climates colder than the ones in Spain and also keeps them from injuring their skin while running. The colors include brindle, black, golden, toasted, cinnamon, yellow, red, white, white with patches, or any color as long as they have a white forehead and muzzle.

mountain cur puppy - descriptionBred to be a hard working hunter and protector, the Mountain Cur is rugged and stocky. They are muscular with strong neck, wide head and expressive dark brown eyes. Some may have blue or green eyes, but they will be darker instead of light. They have a heavy muzzle, high set short ears and feet that are catlike, muscular and strong. The Cur has straight legs, deep chests and 50% are born with the tail bobbed.

Their coat is short and heavy. The colors could be yellow, red, blue, brindle, black and brindle, yellow with white points, dark brown and red.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

galgo espanol dog - characteristicsThey are good with children, but you need to be careful no one gets knocked down or hurt.

Special talents

Stamina for running and a good record in lure coursing.

Adaptability

Though they can be couch potatoes like greyhounds they are better off with a fenced yard and not an apartment.

Learning ability

They are smart and can learn anything you want to teach them if you can keep their attention.

Children friendliness

mountain cur dog - characteristicsThey are friendly with kids but don’t make good house pets.

Special talents

Tree climbing

Adaptability

They need space and they do not make good indoor pets

Learning ability

He is very intelligent and learns quickly.

Health Problems

galgo espanol puppies - health problemsBeing a large dog, the Galgo Espanol would normally face a high probability of hip dysplasia. Fortunately for the breed this is not true. In this respect their lightness of weight, their history as a working dog and their anatomy have protected them from it. They are however susceptible to other issues.

Osteosarcoma

Bone Cancer

Malignant tumors that quickly spread throughout the body. Life threatening.

Anesthetics

As a sighthound, the Galgo Espanol is prone to have issues anytime with anesthetics. They don’t metabolize the anesthetics like other dogs do. They will take longer to revive, and they are susceptible to hypothermia while under an aesthetic.

Muscle/Toe Injuries

While running, they are prone to injuries

mountain cur puppies - health problemsThere are a few health issues that the Mountain Cur is susceptible to. They include:

  • Skin Issues – infections and allergies.
  • Ear Infections – Keep them cleaned and hair trimmed in ears.
  • Hunting Injuries – this is probably the most common health issue.
  • Bloat – Can be fatal.
  • Obesity – Can lead to bloat, injuries, other issues.
  • Hip Dysplasia – Can cause arthritis and lameness – can be caused or aggravated by obesity.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

galgo espanol dogs - caringFeed your puppy a high quality dry food made for large breed dogs. Feed 3 meals a day 2.5 to 3 cups total for the day.

Feeding the adult

Feed your adult Galgo a high quality dry food made for large breed dogs. Feed 2 meals a day but don’t overfeed Give 4-5 cups total for the day.

Points for Good Health

They have amazing stamina and good speed. Generally good health as a breed.

Games and Exercises

He can be a couch potato indoors and runs forever outdoors. He does need daily exercise and bedrest both. The best would be if you could sprint him every day or have a small yard he can play in. They excel of course at agility and lure coursing. Keep them on a leash because if they run you will never catch them. The American Sighthound Field Association presents lure coursing events that they are eligible for. They have exceled at show competition in Europe but are not well known in the U.S.

Feeding the puppy

mountain cur dogs - caringMountain Cure puppies should eat four bowls of high quality dog food in four separate meals each day until 3 months old. From three months to six months feed them 3 times per day and from six months to a year just twice a day.

Feeding the adult

The adult Mountain Cur would eat 3 cups of high quality dog food in one or two meals per day. Don’t overfeed them as they have a tendency toward obesity.

Points for Good Health

Athleticism

Games and Exercises

This breed is an active dog and he needs to get plenty of exercise. He needs daily exercise – daily walks – and enjoys canine sports like barn hunt and agility. They do well in field trials.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Mountain Cur vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Mountain Cur vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Mountain Cur vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Mountain Cur vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Mountain Cur vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Mountain Cur vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Mountain Cur vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Mountain Cur vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Mountain Cur vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Mountain Cur vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Mountain Cur vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Mountain Cur vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Mountain Cur vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Mountain Cur vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Mountain Cur vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Mountain Cur vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Mountain Cur vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Mountain Cur vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Mountain Cur vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Mountain Cur vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Mountain Cur vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Mountain Cur vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Mountain Cur vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Mountain Cur vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Mountain Cur vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Galgo Espanol vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Galgo Espanol vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Galgo Espanol vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Galgo Espanol vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Galgo Espanol vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Galgo Espanol vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Galgo Espanol vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Galgo Espanol vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Galgo Espanol vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Galgo Espanol vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Galgo Espanol vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Galgo Espanol vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Galgo Espanol vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Galgo Espanol vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Galgo Espanol vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Galgo Espanol vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Galgo Espanol vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Galgo Espanol vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Galgo Espanol vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Galgo Espanol vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Galgo Espanol vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Galgo Espanol vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Galgo Espanol vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Galgo Espanol vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Galgo Espanol vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison