I've been having a lot of people drop by searching for "taming The Kurken," and checking out the shots of folks taming him on the Beta. Since he was one of the pets I really enjoyed in the Beta I had to go tame him again myself. And because there are so many folks searching for info I'm going to assume you won't mind a bit more Kurken chat.
There's an FAQ at the end of this post if you want to skip all this and see if I answer your question!
Kurken's size has been decreased - that's him in the Beta on the left, and the current live version on the right. This is actually a good thing - when pets are too large it's often hard to enjoy the battle if you can't see much of what you're fighting. I've decided that I'll be keeping certain pets to enjoy soloing with, and then have some reasonably sized pets in the stable to use if people want to group with me. (Rare, but it happens.) It also helps to have smaller pets for screenshots - otherwise I have problems with extra large pets wandering into view if I don't carefully park them.
Taming Kurken requires that a hunter must have at least 51 points in the Beast Master talent tree, as this is an exotic pet.
Kurken's level prior to taming: 12 Level after tamed by a level 70 hunter: 65
Location of Kurken: Stillpine Hold, Azuremyst Isle Links to maps that show spawn location: Wowhead map, Thottbot map
For those worried about catching Kurken because he's a quest related creature - don't worry, it doesn't require having the quest to spawn him. Also he will respawn a few minutes after he's killed or tamed. So if someone's there taming him, never fear - you'll just have a short wait.
Since I know a lot of folks on the horde side will want to tame Kurken - here's a better idea of where to look for him. I've gotten most of this information from comments on various internet sites - let me know if you have any additional tips or corrections for me.
You'll want to make your way to Darkshore, on the western coast of Kalimdor. Once you get around the town's guards you should be able to get to the boat at the end of the pier. Facing the boats you'll have three options - take the middle pier, ride straight down it - that's where your boat will come, at the end. You'll have to fight the guards on the pier and the new (level 65) sailors on the boat as well. Try staying on your mount as long as possible to get to the boat. It may help if you bring some friends who are into pvp. Happily you can tempt them with a raid on the Exodar, as there's now an achievement for that. (I think? Must recheck!) Meanwhile remember that feign death is your friend.
You do have to take the boat to get to Azuremyst Island. If you swim you'll just end up getting fatigued and die. You also must have the Burning Crusade Expansion.
Once the boat docks on Azuremyst Island you'll be right next to the Exodar.
Take the road you see at the end of the dock and ride north. The black arrow on that map will point you to the cave - and ignore the Wowhead map's yellow dots! Kurken spawns inside the cave, which is called Stillpine Hold.
For those who haven't been to Azuremyst, this is what you're looking for in the north of the island...
That's Stillpine Hold, and the furblogs should ignore you as you enter the cave. Go straight into the cave and take a right LEFT when you can. You should be in a dead end that has a lake with a few large red crystals in it. The Kurken will spawn next to this lake, on the bank.
Many thanks to Dvorkin for the following helpful correction in the comments:
"...to reach the end of the cave, you should go left (the passage going slightly downhill). Not like it matter much when you're level 60+, of course, as you can ignore all the mobs completely and the cave is not that big."
With the popularity of this corehound you'll possibly find another hunter in the cave who's already there waiting to tame the Kurken. Remember - there's a short respawn time - so let any hunters waiting take their turn, it will only be a few minutes. I met up with some friendly horde hunters on the Beta when we had a line to tame Kurken. Even though we were from opposing factions we had no problem being polite and communicating via emotes. Try and get a screenshot if you get multiple Kurken pets - and let me know about it in the comments here!
To those bemoaning the fact that so many people are taming this pet - just because this pet is popular doesn't make it any less fun. In fact, there are so many pet choices that you still won't see core hounds all the time, especially since we now have those larger stables. I'm still enjoying seeing this fellow running around the cities. And it is a fun pet to solo with. As far as raiding goes I'm betting that the Kurken model would actually be slightly easier to group with than the other corehound options. The other corehounds have a trail or green or orange flame that follows them - Kurken's is a misty white, and thus might be a little easier to see through. (In BigRedKitty's green corehound video you'll see what I'm talking about.) Possibly. I admit I haven't tried all the corehounds! I also admit that the Kurken was more appealing to me simply because he doesn't drool like the other corehounds. (Reminded me too much of Gruul's and Durn's drooling, ugh.)
I tend to turn the corehound's Lava Breath off when I send him off to attack. Currently (and this could always change) if I leave lava breath on he'll scootch forward in a jerky way, then cast that spell and pull things towards him. Which is fine - if I want what we're fighting closer to me. I usually prefer to keep things at a distance to give myself time to react if I pull aggro. So I keep lava breath off, send the corehound in to attack, and then when he's next to the target I trigger the spell manually.
There's only one drawback to this (and a few other) exotics - The Infamous Stomping. You probably know what I'm talking about by now. You hear a rumbling noise and suddenly your screen will bounce as though you're experiencing an earthquake - and then a devilsaur or a core hound will come running into view. As much as I love my corehound - I cringe when the screen bouncing starts. Oh it was funny - for about the first minute or so, the first time it happened. But now it happens all the time. Since it doesn't have an off switch - and believe me I'd turn it off on my corehound - I usually just stay on my mount when I'm in towns. Give this a few months and it will become very, very old for us all. Hopefully the powers that be will nerf this a bit - or only have the rumbling happen in certain places. As in, they'll turn it off in the cities. Hopefully.
So hunters - enjoy your corehounds!
If you have a good name for yours or a taming story - please share them! Or just let me know if you've sent the info to Mania's Arcania and I'll look for her Name That Pet post!
Off topic....but...ever have a hard time getting rid of random gear you have no use for but you just like the look of?
Meanwhile I do love it when Kurken does his howling animation.
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Since this page seems to be the object of a LOT of web searches I decided that it might be a good idea to answer some of the search questions. Or at least the questions that seem to be most common.
Last updated: Dec. 24, 2009
FAQ
Where do I get the two headed dog in World of Warcraft?
Just so you know, it's technically a corehound - that link shows you what all the corehounds look like, and there are currently three varieties. The only one that really looks like a dog is Kurken. (But then I'm probably biased in his favor!)
What is the green two headed dog? and Where can I find a green two headed dog?
Currently there are three corehounds that have that greenish/yellow look to them and that hunters can tame:
Spawn of Uvuros - level 69, found in Shadowmoon Valley, Wowhead link (with spawn location map and comments - same with rest of the following links) Uvuros, level 70 Elite, found in Shadowmoon Valley, Wowhead link Braxxus - level 72 Spawned Elite, Blade's Edge Mountains, Wowhead link
Where do hunters tame the red two headed dog?
Actually people don't ask this one much, but I'm throwing it in here anyway. The red corehounds are usually either Ancient Core Hounds (level 62 elite) or Core Ragers (level 62 elite) and come from the instance called Molten Core. While it used to be tough back in my day (yes, I'm an oooold gamer) it's only a level 60 instance. I do advise that you bring a friend or two for the company - you'll need help navigating the place as it's large, and someone else to keep an eye on the incoming mobs will be handy.
Can Kurken be tamed at level 10? or Why won't Wow let me tame the Kurken?
No, you can't tame the Kurken at level 10. No use even trying.
Why? For two reasons:
1) The Kurken is a level 12 corehound. At level 10 a hunter can only tame animals that are either level 10 or lower. Level 12 anything is too high for a level 10 hunter to tame. This will always hold true for your hunter: you can only tame beasts that are the same level you are, as well as those lower than your level.
and
2) You have to have at least 51 talent points to be a Beast Mastery (talent spec) hunter, which you MUST be to be able to tame the Kurken because he's an exotic beast. Before level 61 you won't have enough talent points to put into the Beast Mastery tree to obtain the skill to tame exotics. Be sure to read those links if you want further information.
How to tame the Kurken and not kill him?
First remember that you MUST be a level 61 hunter and spec'd into the talent that allows you to tame exotics in Beast Mastery. (The math: that's level 10 plus the 51 levels you'll need to go into that one talent tree with 51 points - that's where I get the level 61. Let me know when/if this changes, it always can!) Then you might put all your weapons in your bag just in case you find yourself meleeing the Kurken by accident - since it's a level 12 and you're a level 61 you'll kill him REALLY easily. You can set a freezing trap in front of the Kurken to keep him still while you tame him.
(I added that tip about un-equiping your weapons simply because as a brand new hunter I accidentally did kill something I was trying to tame. Much to my friends' amusement. But hey, I was still learning!)
What level do hunters tame corehounds?
Heh, all together now - level 61!
(Seriously, I see this in the word search information for this site a LOT! Also I worry about a lot of hunters making the long trip and then finding they can't tame that corehound - which must be really disappointing.)
Is there a Kurken beast taming quest?
No, the only quest that the Kurken is involved is one of the draenei area's early quests (lower than level 20): The Kurken is Lurkin'. But the player doesn't have to do anything to spawn the Kurken - the Kurken will just respawn not too long after he's been killed. (Kurken respawn after killing is some time around 20 minutes, the last time I checked - it could have changed by now.)
I'm at Azuremyst but I can't find the Kurken! and Where is the level 12 two headed dog in Azuremyst Island?
Are you inside the cave? Check the map again - he's not where the dots are on the north of this map:
The Kurken is inside the cave you can see below the dots. Look for the place name:
Yup, that's the name of the cave. Once you find Stillpine Hold/the cave, go inside and move towards the back of the cave. Look for a pool of water. The Kurken spawns by that pool, on the bank.
PVP tip for Horde about Stillpine Hold
All the furbolg (the weird bearlike things) at the cave mouth are Alliance - and will attack you if you get too close. Which then flags you. And if any Alliance are around (leveling or taming the Kurken on their level 51 hunter) and feel like it, then it's PVP time. (I don't know this is accurate - just found this on a forum post. Let me know if any of this info is wrong!)
But also remember that not everyone's a jerk just because they can be. Check out this post about the Burning Crusade Beta Test and see the three blood elf hunters and my night elf all hanging out after each taming our own Kurken. We couldn't communicate, but each took a turn to tame. And hunters will often be kind to each other this way, because we all know what it's like to want a certain pet!
Isn't Kurken the same beast that you have to fight during the Lunar Festival?
Nope, that's Omen, and he's a level ?? Boss. He can still give a tough fight - well, depending on the level of your character. His health is 5,578,000 so he may take some time to kill.
In the year that's past since I wrote this post I've seen the number of Kurken running around the place decrease (I'm mostly saying that after pet watching in Dalaran, but don't have any numbers to back that up.) But I bet that many hunters still have a corehound in their stable of pets, whether they use it daily or not. Here's some data from the Armory - to give us an idea of pet popularity as of July 13, 2009. Among level 80 hunters the corehound comes in at #5. However on this updated data page from Aug 2009, corehounds have fallen to #8. Hmmm. Odd, because I see wolves all over the place and look how low they are on that list. Anyway if you scroll down that list to where it's broken down by popularity - you'll see that among corehounds the Kurken is the most popular - 44% of corehound owners choose Kurken!
If you're new to Wow I recommend Petopia for all your pet questions, and Wow Wiki, in particular this link: Tame Beast for current Tips and Tactics.
Good luck in your taming! If I'm playing your faction I'm one who loves to see a hunter go past with this pet. And if you're the opposite faction know that even if we're on the battleground and your Kurken happily chews on me til I die - I'm still smiling. Yup, I enjoy the pet that much. Actually I've not had this happen yet - I almost think I'd enjoy my death more if the Kurken was involved. (I'm not good at PVP, so I'm used to multiple deaths.)
And remember, please leave any information you have in the comments, where you'll find others have already passed on their taming stories. Also I honestly enjoy hearing "taming stories" and what people decide to name their pets - so feel free to share.
My Draenei hunter Natarani tamed a Kurken in beta, which she named Garm (first mythological puppy that sprang to mind). Come this patch her live version rode back to North Azuremyst Isle, ran past past a bunch of bewildered looking owl beast and found a Night Elf in the cave who had just tamed one.
As you said, one doesn't have to wait long, so a couple minutes later, she has a new puppy. I wanted a more Indian name this time and after some looking around on the 'net I found Sarameyas. This is the name of the twin pups of Yama, who, appropriately, are said to have four eyes.
And sadly I agree with the stomping footsteps, it even stomps when it's in the water (the swimming animation is still missing).
As Horde, the way I got the pet is to go *near* the pier in Ashenvale, then strip off all my armor and weapons, swin by the piear to the end, and wait for the boat to arrive, but dip under water as it approaches. Then I position myself under the boat to the very back of it, and I stay under the surface until I drown. Then I run to my body, wait for the ship to arrive, and then rez followed by Feign Death. (The back is the safest - only 1 crewmember). When the boat transports, in about 10 seconds, before you really arrive, jump ship and swim to the edge of the shore. Eat, drink, refit armor and weapons, and you are ready to pick up the pet.
You don't have to fight the guys on the ship. As long as you don't attack (or stay feign death'd on the boat) they won't attack you. I went to Azuremyst for the exploring achievement. I originally wanted to tame the Kurken, but now I see him and other core hounds EVERYWHERE. My silithid is much more appealing right now...especially with all the screen shaking.
Re: "That's Stillpine Hold, and the furblogs should ignore you as you enter the cave. Go straight into the cave and (I think) take a right when you can."
Nope, to reach the end of the cave, you should go left (the passage going slightly downhill). Not like it matter much when you're level 60+, of course, as you can ignore all the mobs completely and the cave is not that big.
Oops, that's very like me to get the direction wrong! I keep meaning to go back and screenshot the interior of that cave! I'll go back and edit the directions - thanks Dvorkin!
Also good to know you don't have to fight the npcs on the boat. Thanks, Selesti.
Eliyahu - ok this I would never have thought of - swimming with the boat instead of on it. I had read that people said it was possible to die and then get to Azuremyst without res'ing, then res at a graveyard on the Isle. I think I may have to test that.
More tips are welcome - I know a lot of horde hunters are making their plans for this pet, so enjoy the taming!
In order to tame the Kurken as a Horde character, I killed myself near Darkshore (drowning in my case), and then, as a ghost, got onto the ship at Darkshore and travelled across. As a ghost, I then walked onto the ocean to one of the areas marked as 'deep' and stood there until my ghost died (again) of fatigue. I was then brought back to the graveyard on Azuremyst island, rezzed at the graveyard, waited for health and penalties to wear off, and went from there. Good Luck!
