There’s a reason that they call dogs man’s best friend. They’ve been by our sides hunting for as long as we have been keeping them at home. Thanks to their bravery and intelligence, they can do extraordinary things that we can’t dream of, like hunting mountain lions!

Many factors come together to make dogs used to hunt lions capable, so they should always be considered before making a choice. Some of these are their intelligence, bravery, and stamina.

Sure, it can be hard to think of that dog that is lounging on your couch as being a tough guy, but at the right moment, this can turn into one of the most challenging lion-hunting dog breeds.

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Mountain Cur

The Mountain Cur is one of the mixed-breed hounds. When the English settlers emigrated to the USA in the 1940s, they brought various types of Terrier breeds with them.

It is believed that the mating of these Terriers with native American dogs contributed to the Mountain Curs’ appearance.

They were born to herd, hunt, and guard the homes of their owners. That’s why I think they’re getting the best balance between a pet and a hunting dog.

While originally bred to hunt small prey like rabbits, they can do exceptionally well to pursue mountain lions.

Why? First of all, they have the strength and endurance of a normal dog. But my favorite aspect is that they can be taught to climb trees. Because of that, mountain lions are not going to stand a chance. This makes them an excellent lion hunting dog.

They are susceptible to skin infections and ear infections from wax buildup due to their floppy ears. Therefore, you should pay particular attention to their washing.

Besides, their coat is known to cause frequent irritation. This is particularly true for pets that have been kept indoors for a long time.

Dhole

Let’s cover the basics: the dhole, or Cuon alpinus, is a wild dog species that lives in the forests of Central and Southeast Asia. Rust-colored, muscular, and about three feet tall, it looks like a red fox.

They live in packs of as many as forty people, mainly any hunting hoofed critters that pass across a mauling gap. And we do mean “any.” Dholes have been spotted killing creatures much larger than them. 

Adding to their popularity as the Joe Pesci characters of the great outdoors, they strive not to kill their prey before they eat it, choosing to “bite out its eyes, disembowel it, hamstring or emasculate it” and then consume it alive when it reaches the ground, according to the Guardian. 

The video of these little-known creatures is rare, but there are videos of them holding big cats in the bay, and anecdotal reports of their hunting and killing tigers. This toughness shows that these are perfect lion hunt dogs. They’ll never back down.

Plott Coonhound

Want to corner an aggressive mountain lion? Then the Plott is going to be of use. All the Coonhounds are renowned for their fearless chase. Yet Plotts are the most offensive of all. That’s why they’re well known to hunt big game like bears, making them a perfect dog breed to hunt lions.

I think this is going back to their special ancestry. These dogs are the only Coonhounds that don’t come from English Foxhounds. Instead, they were bred by German boar-hunting dogs.

Their bay is very distinctive with a high pitch. I assume this helps to make mountain lions tree faster. These features make them super watch-dogs. They’re going to immediately warn you about intruders and fight relentlessly against any threat.

The only thing I don’t like about them is their swift boredom. They’ve got a high home instinct. Therefore, they would not be able to chase a mountain lion that has gone far away from the old trails. Regardless, they are still excellent mountain lion hunting dogs.

Also, they have a greater risk for hip dysplasia relative to other Coonhounds. But this usually occurs at older ages because they’re too exhausted to hunt anyway.

Rhodesian Ridgeback

This energetic titan was a dog bred to hunt lions and other large games in South Africa. Well socialized, educated adults can be very mellow. However, puppies (under the age of two) are a rambunctious energy ball that hunts and hunts cats because it is in their nature to do so. The younger ones make this a great lion-hunting dog breed.

Credits: thanks for the cover photo to Canva.

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