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View 8 More +The Black Mouth Cur is a working dog breed through and through. The breed’s origins are not entirely clear, but it is known that these dogs were and are still bred to work on farms and homesteads, especially in the United States. They herd, hunt, and help catch hogs, among other duties. They also happen to be popular companion dogs among active households and families that like to adventure outdoors. This breed is often spelt incorrectly as “Black Mouth Curr”, so remember there is only one “r”!
Read on to learn more about this interesting dog breed!
Breed Overview
Height:
16–20 inches
Weight:
45–100 pounds
Lifespan:
12–16 years
Colors:
Fawn, yellow, red, brindle
Suitable for:
Active families, houses with yards
Temperament:
Highly driven, energetic, loyal, predictable
This interesting dog breed was born to brave the elements and deal with stressful working conditions. The typical Black Mouth Cur has a large, muscular build and a short, protective coat that is usually yellow, red, fawn, or brindle.
They have a stocky, square head and a dark muzzle. These dogs are athletic, curious, adventurous, and loyal to their human companions. They are patient and can do well in social situations if properly trained and socialized.
Black Mouth Cur Characteristics
Black Mouth Cur Puppies
When it comes to caring for a Black Mouth Cur puppy, potential owners should be ready for plenty of activity and adventure. Although smaller than their adult counterparts, a Black Mouth Cur puppy is strong and will want to push their limits and learn how to satisfy their instincts to work. These puppies need a great deal of outdoor time, where they can inspect their surroundings and learn how to act in social situations.
They should be introduced to new people and other dogs while still young puppies to ensure that they are properly socialized and open to interacting with strangers as adults. Even as puppies, these dogs are rugged, dependable, and protective, which can make them good pets on farms or in active households.
Although they do enjoy snuggling, their independence tends to keep them busy or on their own while hanging out around the house.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Black Mouth Cur 🧠
This smart dog breed thrives on positive reinforcement and loves outdoor adventures. The Black Mouth Cur is resilient, athletic, energetic, and protective of their family members, which can make them a bit overwhelming for first-time dog owners. These dogs are best suited for seasoned caregivers who enjoy outdoor activities and have plenty of time for training and exercise.
These dogs can be playful and full of sprightliness, even after a long morning walk, so be prepared with plenty of toys and opportunities for activity in the yard and/or indoors. When fully satisfied and just hanging out around the house, these pups can be laidback and easy-going.
Wanting to protect their home and family members, they are quick to let everyone know when something outside doesn’t seem right, making them ideal for those who want a watchdog and adventure companion rolled into one.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
These dogs can be good family pets, but they are not for every family out there. This is a strong and lively dog breed, so accidents can happen when they’re interacting with young children who don’t yet understand how to manage a dog’s behavior. However, these dogs tend to do well with families that include older children, as they are patient and enjoy clowning around whenever possible.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the Black Mouth Cur is highly active and adventurous, as they were bred to work by hunting, pulling, and herding, among other things. So, they won’t do well in household environments where they spend a great deal of time alone and don’t have much opportunity to get out to work, explore, adventure, and exercise.
They are best suited for families that enjoy going outdoors often and that have time for long walks and interactive time throughout the day.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽
The answer to this question depends on the dog and their socialization. Some Black Mouth Curs are naturally open to interacting with other pets in the household, while others must learn how to get along. The key is to make sure the dog is introduced to pet housemates while still a puppy, as this is when they are learning how to get along in the world.
Socialization helps ensure that these dogs will understand how to greet and interact with other dogs, cats that they live with, and other animals that they might meet in social settings, such as at the dog park or the beach. Bringing an adult Black Mouth Cur into a home with other pets can be challenging, but not impossible. To maximize success, it’s all about quality training and slow introductions.
Things to Know When Owning a Black Mouth Cur
There are many important things that you should know about owning a Black Mouth Cur before you acquire one as a pet, to ensure that you can properly care for them and that they will be a good fit for your household and lifestyle. What should you feed them? How much exercise should be carried out each day? What about grooming? Are there any health risks to be concerned about? Learn about these topics and more!
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
As an active and athletic dog breed that tends to expel a great deal of energy throughout the day, the Black Mouth Cur requires a high-quality diet that is based on real meat protein. It’s a good idea to get a commercial food designed just for puppies when your Black Mouth Cur is a puppy, and one that is just for adults as they age. There is also senior food on the market to consider in later years.
These age-specific foods should provide all the right nutrients needed based on your pup’s stage of life. A veterinarian can help you round out things if necessary.
Exercise 🐕
The truth is that Black Mouth Curs are extremely energetic and require long daily walks to keep them satisfied. They would prefer to work on a farm or spend time in the yard helping “mow the grass” or “rake the leaves” in some way. Weekend trips to the park or beach and activities like hiking and camping are things that a Black Mouth Cur would love to take part in.
Time with interactive toys and puzzle toys in the house can help stimulate their mind and keep them occupied when it’s raining outside, or you can’t be there to keep them engaged.
Training 🎾
Black Mouth Curs must be trained as they age to ensure that they can be properly managed and that they enjoy a high quality of life as time goes on. Obedience training should start as young as 8 weeks old so your pup knows to come, sit, stay, and heel when they’re expected to by the time that they become a “teenager.”
If you have never trained a dog before, it might be a good idea to consider working with a professional trainer until you get the hang of things and feel confident that you can maintain control over training sessions.
Grooming ✂️
The Black Mouth Cur is easy to groom due to its short, hardy hair that can repel dirt and debris. A weekly brushing should be all that it takes to keep their coat shiny and clean. Shedding is moderate, so brushing outdoors can help keep hair from building up inside.
A bath might be necessary when they roll around in mud or if their coat gets noticeably dirty. They should get enough outdoor exercise to keep their nails naturally trimmed.
Health and Conditions 🏥
The Black Mouth Cur’s lifespan is 12-16 years, putting it towards the higher end of dog lifespan expectancies. This dog breed is generally healthy, but there are a few health conditions that they can be susceptible to, depending on their lineage and bloodline, among other things.
- Ear infections/disorders
- Hip dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Epilepsy
Male vs. Female
There is not a big difference between the attributes or temperaments of male and female Black Mouth Curs. Males tend to be a bit taller and sometimes even meatier, but overall, both males and females are large, lean, and athletic. Some people think that females are more independent, while others feel that males are.
Both sexes are hardworking, loyal, and even-tempered. The sex that you choose should come down to your personal preferences.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Black Mouth Cur
1. Not All of Them Have Black Mouths
While most Black Mouth Cur dogs have black muzzles, not all of them do. Some dogs have the same-colored muzzle as their coat, whether that be red or yellow. Some even have black markings on the muzzle that don’t completely encompass it.
2. They Enjoy Challenges
As a working dog, the Black Mouth Cur is liable to enjoy confronting any challenge that is in front of them. Puzzle toys tend to be favorites, as are obstacle courses set up in the yard. Anything that challenges their intellect or agility is sure to improve their sense of purpose and enhance their quality of life overall.
3. They Never Seem to Run Out of Energy
If your Black Mouth Cur is like most, whether as a puppy or adult, they don’t seem to run out of energy, even if you’ve spent hours out exploring the community and local park. However, once they’re settled in, you should be able to get in cuddle time before activity becomes a priority again.
Closing Thoughts
The Black Mouth Cur is an interesting dog breed that is spritely, athletic, and adventurous. Anyone who wants a hiking and exploration companion is sure to love this breed. However, families looking for a laidback companion might do better with a smaller breed that wasn’t developed as a working dog.
Featured Image Credit: Wirestock Creators, Shutterstock
2 Responses
We bought our puppy on line and we were not sure what she was-looked like a cross between an Amstaff and a Lab then I noted her webbed feet so I googled "web footed dogs" and saw a Black Mouth Cur and it was identical to our new puppy who we called Max- even though she is girl. My son has an app on his phone to identify dog breeds and he took several pics of her and it came back as " Black Mouth Cur". She has burrowed herself into our hearts quickly and she is "aggressively affectionate." She comes for cuddles leaning into you while looking for belly rubs then next thing you know she has her paws on your lap then gets closer and closer and closer then next thing you know you have a 75 pound dog on your lap kissing and cuddling you. She loves her walks, swims at the lake, running on the ocean beaches and wading in the water. She is extremely protective -especially of children. Even if I wrestle with my boys she would come to their aid and try to get me off them. She had a torn cruciate ligament that was a $5000 surgery but we had pet insurance so only paid $1000. It is best to keep them lean to avoid knee problems. They are extremely strong and solid with strong shoulders and hips. They will "hip check" you or other dogs when running and playing with them as it is an instinct from hunting wild boars to knock them off balance and get control of them. They hate getting chastized with deep scolding voices and they will cower and go to the corner to hide if they know they are in trouble- as soon as you get home and they have done something wrong then will cower and look guilty. Max can take a stuffed animal and with surgeon like precision will remove part of a small tail or an eye. If you buy her a squeaky toy she will surgically remove the "squeaky" inside it with tiny bites. We tried to crate train her but she hated it and she escaped her crate in about 20 different ways that remain a mystery today. They are relentless and will surprise you with their intelligence and patience when solving a puzzle like escaping from a crate. Our family and all those who puppy sit her fall in love with her quickly. She is getting old and is currently 12 years old and has some growths and her time is coming near and she will be missed dearly…I would highly recommend a black mouth cur- they can be active and love their walks and exercise their curiosity but they are also really good at just sleeping for most of the day as well. I love the breed!