Cur

For the Swiss city and canton named Cur in German, see Chur. For the filename extension ".cur", see ICO (icon image file format). For other uses, see CUR (disambiguation).

Cur
Painting by Sydenham Edwards, 1800
Engraving by Thomas Bewick, 1791
Other namesCur dog, drover's dog
OriginEngland
Breed statusExtinct
Traits
Coat Short and rough, feathered on legs
Colour Generally black, brindled or grizzled with white neck, legs and occasionally face
Dog (domestic dog)

A cur was a dog breed used by cattle drovers in England. The breed is now extinct. In the United States, a short-haired dog used in hunting and herding is called "cur-tailed", or "cur" for short.

In modern speech, the term cur is usually used to describe a mongrel dog, particularly if its temperament is unfriendly or aggressive.[1][2][3] The term is believed to be derived from the Old Norse kurra, meaning 'to grumble or growl'.[1][2][3] In Victorian speech, cur could be used as an insult.[4]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Oxford was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Collins was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Webster was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Conrad, Joeseph (November 1900). Lord Jim. Blackwood's Magazine. pp. Chapter 6.