One of the most frequent questions I get from Mountain Cur owners is simply, how much should I be feeding? It sounds basic, but getting the portion right is one of the most important things you can do for an active working breed. Feed too little and you blunt the energy and stamina these dogs are prized for. Feed too much and you risk a slightly heavy dog whose joints pay the price over the years.
The honest answer is that there is no single number that fits every Mountain Cur, because a couch companion and an all-day tree dog have very different needs. In this guide I will give you practical starting points by age and weight, then teach you how to fine-tune those amounts using your own dog body condition, which is what I rely on most in practice.
What You Will Need
Accurate feeding starts with a few simple tools and reference points. Eyeballing portions is the fastest way to slowly overfeed a dog, so set yourself up properly.
- A standard measuring cup or, better still, a kitchen scale for precise portions
- The feeding guide printed on your specific food bag (calorie density varies by brand)
- Your dog current weight from a recent vet visit or home scale
- An honest body condition assessment (can you feel the ribs and see a waist?)
- A realistic picture of your dog daily activity level
- Fresh, clean water available at all times
Step by Step: How to Feed a Mountain Cur the Right Amount
Use this sequence to set a starting portion and then dial it in for your individual dog. The feeding chart below gives general ranges by age.
Start with age-based ranges
Puppies (8 weeks to 6 months) usually eat 1.5 to 2.5 cups split across 3 meals. Juveniles (6 to 12 months) eat about 2 to 3 cups across 2 to 3 meals. Adults (1 to 7 years) typically need 2 to 3 cups across 2 meals. Seniors (7+ years) often need slightly less, around 1.5 to 2.5 cups.
Adjust for weight
A 30-pound Cur sits at the lower end of these ranges, while a 55-pound dog sits at the higher end. Use the calorie chart on your food bag matched to your dog actual weight as your true starting point.
Factor in activity
A house companion needs the lower end of the range, while a hard-working hunting dog may need 25 to 50 percent more, especially during active seasons. Increase or decrease based on how hard your dog is working.
Split into proper meals
Divide the daily total into two meals for adults, or three for puppies. Steady, measured meals beat free-feeding and help you spot appetite changes early.
Reassess every few weeks
Body-condition score your dog regularly. If ribs are getting hard to feel, cut back slightly. If the waist is too pronounced and energy drops, add a little. Adjust by small amounts at a time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced owners slip into a few habits that quietly lead to overweight or underfed dogs. Here are the ones I correct most often.
The biggest mistake is feeding by sight instead of measuring, which almost always drifts toward overfeeding. Other common errors include forgetting to count treats and table scraps toward the daily total, free-feeding a full bowl all day, failing to increase calories for a working dog during heavy seasons, and switching foods abruptly, which upsets digestion. Treats should make up no more than about 10 percent of daily calories.
Tips for Success
A handful of simple habits keep your Mountain Cur at a lean, athletic weight year-round. These are the points I stress most with active-breed owners.
Weigh or measure every meal, and recalculate portions whenever your dog activity level changes with the seasons. Use part of the daily kibble as training rewards rather than adding extra treats. Body-condition score every couple of weeks by feeling for ribs and checking the waist. Always provide fresh water, particularly for dogs that work hard or are fed dry food.
Consistency is your friend. Once you find the portion that keeps your dog at an ideal body condition, hold it steady and adjust only when activity, age, or weight changes call for it.
When to Get Professional Help
Feeding amounts connect closely to health, and some situations call for your veterinarian rather than a generic chart.
Contact your veterinarian if your Mountain Cur is losing or gaining weight despite consistent feeding, refuses food or has a sudden appetite change, or has a health condition like diabetes, kidney disease, or food sensitivity that affects diet. Your vet can calculate precise calorie targets for a working dog, design a safe growth plan for a puppy, or recommend a therapeutic diet when needed.
If your dog ever eats something potentially toxic rather than simply needing a portion adjustment, call your vet immediately or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.
Safety note: Use the feeding ranges here as a starting point only, and always adjust based on your individual dog body condition and your veterinarian guidance rather than a fixed number.