Jeff,
I understand, I've had the same experience with curs. I've tried quite a few. Saw no propensity for pain from them. I normally hunt a single dog. An [beeep] whooping is what they are going to take. Never found a cur that would willing go into the same situation day after day knowing they were going to end up with holes in them. Yet I have friends that have curs that I know do that. They just never worked out for me. I always prefer the meanest female in the litter. I can take the fire out but its hard to put it in them. I had a bluetick/blue heeler cross that was probably the best dog I ever owned. Have a friend running a straight blue heeler that's really working out. I have a Red Jagdt. that's really working out. If I could super size her to 35-40 lbs I'd sell the rest. She has an immense hate for coyotes just not enough [beeep] to back it up.
This cur/terrier cross I am getting in March may finally bridge the gap. One thing I know if you want a good dog your going to go thru a few dogs. They don't all have what it takes. Mine need to follow drags on the trapline, fall decoy, spring decoy and go to a howl, and help locate dens. Dogs that do all well are worth their weight in Gold. So far I have only had 1. I've had dogs that have done one or two of those tasks well but all of them is a tall order. We all have our preferences and styles. I hunt everything from tight brush shotgunning with a dog to wide open country were shooting distance is possible. But I use a dog 8 months out of the year so the time and miles are there for them to figure it out if they can. But I would probably give this up if I couldn't use a dog. It just adds to the experience. I hope you are having a good season.