Stephens Stock

Also called Stephens Cur, Stephens Stock Mountain Cur

Recognised breedShort profile

From Southeastern Kentucky, United States1

At a glance the quick version

Sizemedium

keen hunting drive

energetic

brave in the field

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, smooth coat

A compact, sleek little cur with a hound-like look, a small head and a fairly narrow muzzle.1

Coloursblack with white markings1

Personality what they are like

A driven, high-energy working dog with strong hunting instincts. It is happiest with an active, hunting-focused home rather than a quiet life as a house pet.1

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Very high. Bred to hunt squirrel and raccoon, it needs plenty of daily work or vigorous exercise.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The short coat is low maintenance; an occasional brush-down keeps it neat.1

Home where they are happiest

Best suited to rural owners who hunt or can offer lots of outdoor activity.1

Company who they like around

Often works alongside other dogs in packs when hunting larger game.1

The story where it all began

The Stephens family of southeastern Kentucky kept its own line of Mountain Cur for more than a hundred years. In 1970 the line was set apart as a breed of its own, with Hugh Stephens credited as its founder, and the United Kennel Club later recognised it.1

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
The breed is named after the Kentucky family that kept the line going for over a century.1
2
It is mainly used for treeing squirrel and raccoon.1
3
Working in a pack, these small curs have enough nerve to hunt black bear and cougar.1

Recognised by the official bits

UKC: Recognised by the United Kennel Club in 1998 (per Wikipedia)1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Stephens Stock. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

Brushingevery week
Bathevery 8 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year

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Mountain Cur

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

Wikipedia: Stephens Cur en.wikipedia.orgused for all fields

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.