Is the Mountain Cur Better than the Shihpoo as a Pet? Answer…

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Mountain Cur Versus Shihpoo: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Mountain Cur and for the Shihpoo. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Mountain Cur or the Shihpoo.

Mountain Cur versus Shihpoo: Overview

A very important difference between the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Mountain Cur is a large-sized dog while the Shihpoo is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Mountain Cur belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

On the other hand, the Shihpoo belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.

Mountain Cur versus Shihpoo: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Mountain Cur to the Shihpoo based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo

Factor Mountain Cur Shihpoo
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 5/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 16 years 13 to 17 years
Height 16 to 26 inches 8 to 18 inches
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Weight 30 to 60 pounds 8 to 18 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 15.0 years
Average Price $550 $1590
Price Range $350 – $800 $1200 – $2000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data No Data

Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Mountain Cur in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Shihpoo. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

The Better-Pet score for the Mountain Cur is 76 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shihpoo is 84 out of 125.

Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shihpoo is a better pet than the Mountain Cur. So, you should get the Shihpoo!

Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo

Below is a list of where the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo are most different:

  • Mountain Curs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Shihpoos adapt well to apartment living.
  • Mountain Curs are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Shihpoos gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Mountain Curs do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Shihpoos do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Mountain Curs have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Shihpoos have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Mountain Curs require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Shihpoos have low exercise needs.
  • The Similarities Between the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo

    The Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo are most similar:

  • Both the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo are not easy to train.
  • Both the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Mountain Cur versus Shihpoo

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo.

    Mountain Curs weigh 30 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Mountain Curs are 16 to 26 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Shihpoos weigh 8 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Shihpoos are 8 to 18 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Mountain Cur versus Shihpoo

    The lifespan of Mountain Curs is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Mountain Curs is 13.0 years.

    The lifespan of Shihpoos is between 13 to 17 years . The average lifespan of Shihpoos is 15.0 years.

    Shihpoos live longer than Mountain Curs.

    Price of Mountain Cur versus Price of Shihpoo

    The average price of the Mountain Cur puppy is $550. The price of the Mountain Cur typically ranges from $350 – $800. However, the price of a Mountain Cur can be as low as $100 and as high as $1000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 40 Mountain Cur puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Shihpoo puppy is $1590. The price of the Shihpoo typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. However, the price of the Shihpoo can be as low as $300 and as high as $4325. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 283 Shihpoo puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Shihpoo is more expensive than the Mountain Cur.

    Mountain Cur Shihpoo
    Average Price $550 $1590
    Price Range $350 to $800 $1200 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Mountain Cur and Shihpoo. For different price points, the charts show how many Mountain Cur puppies or how many Shihpoo puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Mountain Curs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Mountain Curs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Shihpoos

    A breakdown of the prices of Shihpoos

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Mountain Cur puppy or the Shihpoo puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Adopting the Mountain Cur versus Adopting the Shihpoo

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Mountain Curs and many Shihpoos are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Mountain Cur named Lester that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Mountain Curs like Lester on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Mountain Curs, Shihpoos are also available for adoption. For example, Polo is a Male Shihpoo that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shihpoos like Polo that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Also, Yoshi is an adorable Male Shihpoo on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    You can find more Mountain Curs and Shihpoos that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Mountain Cur versus Shihpoo

    Mountain Curs do not like to be left alone.

    Shihpoos do not like to be left alone.

    Do Mountain Curs shed more than Shihpoos?

    Mountain Curs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Shihpoos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Mountain Cur or the Shihpoo

    Mountain Curs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shihpoos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Mountain Cur or the Shihpoo?

    Mountain Curs are very easy to groom.

    Shihpoos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Mountain Cur Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shihpoo?

    Mountain Curs have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Shihpoos have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Mountain Curs Bark and Howl? What about Shihpoos?

    Mountain Curs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Shihpoos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Mountain Curs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shihpoos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Mountain Curs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shihpoos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Mountain Cur vs. Shihpoo

    Mountain Curs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Shihpoos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Mountain Curs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shihpoos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Mountain Curs can tolerate hot weather.

    Shihpoos cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Mountain Cur or the Shihpoo?

    Mountain Curs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Shihpoos do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Mountain Curs good family dogs? What about Shihpoos?

    Mountain Curs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Shihpoos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Mountain Curs and Shihpoos?

    Mountain Curs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Shihpoos get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Mountain Cur Easier to Train than the Shihpoo?

    Mountain Curs are not easy to train.

    Shihpoos are not easy to train.

    Is the Mountain Cur Better for Apartment Owners than the Shihpoo?

    Mountain Curs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shihpoos adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Mountain Cur or the Shihpoo?

    Mountain Curs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Shihpoos are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Mountain Cur

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Mountain Cur that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Mountain Cur:

  • Black Mouth Cur (80 percent match with Mountain Cur). Here is our comparison of the Shihpoo vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Karelian Bear Dog (77 percent match with Mountain Cur). Here is our comparison of the Shihpoo vs Karelian Bear Dog.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shihpoo

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shihpoo that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Shihpoo:

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (75 percent match with Shihpoo). Here is our comparison of the Mountain Cur vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Japanese Chin (75 percent match with Shihpoo). Here is our comparison of the Mountain Cur vs Japanese Chin.
  • Shiranian (76 percent match with Shihpoo). Here is our comparison of the Mountain Cur vs Shiranian.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Mountain Cur and how the Shihpoo compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Mountain Cur and of the Shihpoo to other breeds:

    Mountain Cur Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mountain Cur versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Mountain Cur versus English Toy Spaniel     Mountain Cur versus Boykin Spaniel     Mountain Cur versus Cockalier     Mountain Cur versus American Foxhound     Mountain Cur versus Mudi     Mountain Cur versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Mountain Cur versus Akita Chow     Mountain Cur versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Mountain Cur versus Clumber Spaniel     Mountain Cur versus German Longhaired Pointer     Mountain Cur versus Afador     Mountain Cur versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Mountain Cur versus Pomchi     Mountain Cur versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Mountain Cur versus Briard     Mountain Cur versus Pointer     Mountain Cur versus Coton de Tulear     Mountain Cur versus Korean Jindo Dog     Mountain Cur versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Mountain Cur versus Tibetan Spaniel     Mountain Cur versus Great Dane     Mountain Cur versus American Bulldog     Mountain Cur versus Brittany     Mountain Cur versus Miniature Pinscher     

    Shihpoo Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shihpoo versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Shihpoo versus Pomsky     Shihpoo versus Chihuahua     Shihpoo versus French Bulldog     Shihpoo versus Bouvier des Flandres     Shihpoo versus Saint Bernard     Shihpoo versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Shihpoo versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Shihpoo versus Pomapoo     Shihpoo versus Dutch Shepherd     Shihpoo versus Irish Water Spaniel     Shihpoo versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Shihpoo versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Shihpoo versus Shetland Sheepdog     Shihpoo versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Shihpoo versus Spanish Mastiff     Shihpoo versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Shihpoo versus Lowchen     Shihpoo versus Pug     Shihpoo versus Affenpinscher     Shihpoo versus Manchester Terrier     Shihpoo versus Canaan Dog     Shihpoo versus Belgian Malinois     Shihpoo versus Standard Schnauzer     Shihpoo versus Pug     

    Conclusion: Mountain Cur versus Shihpoo. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Mountain Cur and the Shihpoo better suits you and your family.