Do you want to learn more about the Black Mouth Cur? Perhaps you’re looking to add one to your family? Or maybe you’re searching for tips on how to take care of your new pet?
You’ve come to the right place. It’s vital to do your research before bringing a new animal into your life.
Let’s introduce you to this fascinating breed and see if it’s suitable for you and your family. Here’s what we’ll cover:
- What Is a Black Mouth Cur?
- Breed Details and Characteristics
- Black Mouth Cur Origin
- Types and Sizes
- Physical Characteristics and Temperament
- Common Health Issues and Lifespan
- How to Train a Black Mouth Cur?
- Diet and Feeding
- How to Take Care of Your Black Mouth Cur?
What Is a Black Mouth Cur?
Coming from the southern parts of the US, the Cur was initially a multi-purpose working dog. The Black Mouth Cur hunting skills were highly appreciated, and these dogs were used for herding and guarding. Although they’re excellent companions, you should know that it’s primarily a working breed.
Breed Details and Characteristics
The Cur is a well-balanced, courageous and freight-type dog. These dogs are swift, agile, and athletic. They’re very experienced in swimming, following leads, tracking, and hunting.
Curs have a short coat, which can be thin or thick and ranges in color from brown to red. Almost all of them have black muzzles, hence the breed name.
Breed Origin
Most cynologists believe that the breed originated in the US. But the exact Black Mouth Cur origin is unknown. Still, there are two theories.
According to the first, the Black Mouth Cur history can be traced back to the Tennessee mountains. The other theory claims it originated from Mississippi. So it’s safe to say that the home of the breed lies in the South.
In 17th century colonial America, the Black Mouth Cur had important hunting and guard dog functions. It’s believed that the breed is a mix between European dogs and native North American dogs.
Types and Size
How big do Black Mouth Curs get?
The average height of these dogs can reach 18 inches at the withers. The standard Black Mouth Cur usually weighs between 40–50 lbs. So if you go looking for a smart dog door, choose one that suits large dogs.
These dogs come in different shades of brown — from light yellow to deep chestnut or red.
The Black Mouth Cur size varies between males and females. While the female can reach 16 inches tall, the male has a height of over 18 inches.
This is a powerful, agile dog with long legs and a wide head. Its eyes can be green, brown, or yellow. Their tail can vary in length, but it’s usually straight.
The Black Mouth Cur Personality
The Cur is super intelligent and finds its place among the active dog breeds. It’s an excellent home, family, and territory protector that will fight to the end for their safety. But while loving with their families, Black Mouth Curs can be territorial and occasionally overprotective. To avoid this, you must socialize your pet properly by introducing your Black Mouth Cur puppy to many people and pets from an early age.
These dogs love attention and don’t enjoy being left alone for long periods. Unfortunately, they’re a poor choice for people who live in apartments, primarily because of the breed’s energy level and need for space.
This dog may develop problematic behaviors, such as barking and chewing, due to boredom. You can help keep the Black Mouth Cur busy with puzzles and tough dog toys. Also, you might enjoy its company in parks and on beaches that allow dogs. If you have a garden, you can also use it for a game of fetch.
Common Health Issues and Life Span
Generally, the Black Mouth Cur is a very healthy dog. They don’t suffer from many common diseases or disorders but can have a few health issues, including:
- Epilepsy
- Mange
- Hip dysplasia
- Ear infections
- Eye disorders like cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and ectropion
Keep your Black Mouth Cur at a healthy weight as obesity causes additional strain on the joints. Like all dogs, they need yearly veterinary care to stay happy and healthy.
The breed is ideal for you if you’re looking for a low-maintenance dog. They require no special grooming.
The Black Mouth Cur lifespan depends on the dog, but the average is between 12–16 years. But if you take good care of your pet, it will stay by your side for many years to come.
How to Train Your Black Mouth Cur?
This breed is brilliant and sensitive, so it’s quite easy for experienced owners to train them. The Cur can learn many skills, commands, and tasks. But it’s best to do it with short and varied lessons so that the dog doesn’t get bored.
The owners of this breed should be good leaders who show kindness and respect for the Black Cur dog. Screaming at your pet or hitting it will only frighten the animal.
As they’re very active dogs, prepare for plenty of long walks. Also, the BMC dog might bark at other dogs. The best way to stop the excessive barking at other pets is to work on socialization. Slowly start introducing your dog to other pets in safe environments, and give your puppy rewards for its good behavior.
Diet and Feeding
Like all dogs, a Black Mouth Cur needs a proper diet and exercise to stay healthy. The wide range of nutrients in the raw food diet is an excellent idea for this breed. If you prefer to use dry food, make sure you buy quality brands with protein as the main ingredient.
The Black Mouth Cur weight ranges between 35–95 pounds, depending on the sex and the dog’s diet. But some mixes, like the Siberian Black Mouth Cur, range between 55–75 pounds.
Vets recommend feeding them one and a half cups twice a day. The food should be rich in protein, and you should avoid brands with food coloring, melted fat, and wheat gluten. While there are plenty of dry food options that fulfill these requirements, only your vet can determine what’s best for your working Cur dog.
Grooming
Caring for this breed is straightforward. Brush your puppy once a week to remove the dirt from its coat. If your dog gets too dirty, wash it with a high-quality dog shampoo.
Be sure to regularly clean any Black Mouth Cur wrinkles to keep your pet clean and healthy. Also, it’s vital to check your dog’s ears, teeth, paws, and nails regularly. And don’t forget to trim the nails.
The Black Mouth Cur shedding is unnoticeable, thanks to this breed’s short coat. But they still shed all year round. It gets a little heavier before summer and winter yet won’t get out of control. Regularly brushing your dog should help remove most of its fallen hairs.
Are Black Mouth Curs Good With Kids?
This breed needs human interaction and companionship, so it gets along well with kids. But you should still supervise your children when playing with these dogs, as the Black Mouth Cur dog breed likes playing rough and may not know how to be gentle with youngsters.
It’s equally crucial to teach your children how to interact with dogs respectfully to avoid injuries during playtime. Also, having a Black Mouth Cur will help your kid stay active and in good health.
Interesting Facts
- This breed was the star of Walt Disney’s Old Yeller film from 1957. The story is about a young boy that meets a stray dog, which he names Old Yeller. The dog’s breed is Black Mouth Cur.
- In the book, the puppy is a Southern Black Mouth or Yellow Cur dog.
- These dogs are more common in the US than in other parts of the world.
- The AKC doesn’t recognize the breed, but the United Kennel Club did so on November 1st, 1998.
- Male Black Mouth Cur puppies are often bigger and usually ready for hunting. Female puppies are more miniature, but they grow quicker.
- As the Cur origin is unknown, the dog is often connected to the southeastern US and called the Southern Cur Dog.
Conclusion
As a historic worker with lots of energy, this breed is not suitable for first-time owners. If you want one of these puppies, it’s best to research Black Mouth Cur breeders and speak with them at length about the dogs’ bloodline.
When raised with a family, Black Mouth Curs are social and friendly. But again, that’s down to the owners’ experience and understanding of training and early socialization.
Though you may have some difficulties with the Black Mouth Cur temperament, you’ll be rewarded with a genuinely devoted family member. These dogs love their humans and establish deep bonds with them. Plus, the Black Mouth Cur is usually gentle with kids and an excellent guard breed.
