These dogs are highly intelligent and energetic, so they need a good amount of exercise and space to run and play. Because of this, they can be a great choice for families with a large garden, yard, or other outdoor space. Without proper exercise, these dogs are known to exhibit behavioral problems, so it’s best to make sure that you’re prepared to keep yours occupied and take them out for regular walks.
Black Mouth Cur – Appearance
In their breed standard these tend to be rather sturdy dogs and are naturally very muscular, which matches their strong and confident personality. Just from looking at a Black Mouth Cur, it’s easy to tell that these are working dogs which require much exercise and attention.
As we have mentioned earlier, the black muzzle is a defining feature of most, but not all, Southern Curs. It’s more common for those without the trademark black to have the same color muzzle as the rest of their coat. Tan colored Curs are most common, although their coats can also be black, yellow, or brindle.
How Big do Southern Curs Get?
Overall, the Black Mouth Cur is a medium to large dog. The average breed weight is somewhere between 20 and 43 kg, with a height of around 16-25 inches. For reference, a smaller Black Mouth Cur has a similar size to a large Beagle or a Shetland Sheepdog.
Black Mouth Cur – Temperament
You find the typical Blackmouth Cur to be brave, intelligent, loyal, and incredibly energetic. There are many reasons for this, the main one being the history of these dogs – what they have been used for and how they’ve been bred over the years. They are hard-working dogs, known for being reliable companions. Their courage was once extremely important for warding off predators in South America – these included bears and wildcats. Their intelligence makes them an excellent hunting partner. They’re usually up for long, hard days of work.
What Is a Black Mouth Cur Like?
While they are exceptional working dogs, ideal for farmers and hunters, they also make perfect family dogs. Alongside the hard-working Black Mouth Cur temperament that they’re best known for, they are also sensitive, intuitive, and empathetic, often sensing their owners’ emotions.
The purebreds are lively and spirited, making them a good choice for families who want a fun and friendly pet. It’s best to keep them in homes with large outdoor spaces. Their owners should definitely enjoy long walks. This breed is known to become destructive when they’re bored, so you should always keep them engaged.
With their intelligence and high energy levels, a Black Mouth Cur puppy won’t be easy to train. You need to be firm but not harsh; finding the right balance isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary. These pets are generally better off with more experienced dog owners.
Black Mouth Cur – Health
Typically, the Black Mouth Cur will have a lifespan of 12 to 18 years. When you choose one of these puppies, be prepared for them to be a part of your life for at least a decade (and most likely – several years more).
They tend to live well into their teen years and are less susceptible to genetic conditions than many other breeds. Even so, there are a couple of issues that owners should watch out for , such as:
- Cataracts,
- Epilepsy,
- Hip Dysplasia.
Will You Have to Worry about Their Weight?
There’s much that needs to be considered when it comes to health concerns and the general care of any pet. You shouldn’t have to worry about a Black Mouth Cur’s weight, as they don’t have a tendency for weight gain. A good diet is essential for their general health and to maintain a good size and weight. You probably won’t have to worry about much else.
Black Mouth Cur – Care
Despite their great health in general, there are a few things that you might want to pay extra attention to, to ensure that your pet is as safe and happy as possible. One of the most important things you can do is take extra care of the ears of your Black Mouth Cur. You’ll need to clean them thoroughly to prevent ear infections. These pooches have a short coat, so grooming will be very easy. Brush Fido from time to time in order to get rid of unwanted hairs.
Other Things to Look out for in a Black Face Dog
Alongside the ears, you should also regularly check their eye and bone health. This breed can be more susceptible to hip dysplasia and cataracts, so it’s best to get them checked for any potential issues. Don’t forget to brush their teeth regularly too, and to get them looked at by a professional vet when necessary. If you need any more help, information, or care tips, it might be a good idea to ask your veterinarian for advice.
Black Mouth Cur – Breeding
The Yellow Black Mouth Cur has been popular in the United States for quite some time now, although the breed has gained some attention in other parts of the world too. While this doesn’t mean that they’re exclusive to the US, there aren’t that many breeders around the globe. The Blackmouth Cur is therefore a lot harder to come by outside of the US.
Proper breeding is important, as the size, personality, and coat can all be influenced by how the dogs are conceived. So, if you’re looking for some particular traits or you simply want to know everything you can about breeding, it’s best to talk to your trusted breeder about the litter and their lineage.
Price of a Southern Cur Puppy
Of course, the cost for the breed is likely to vary depending on where you live. In the US, a Black Mouth Cur puppy can cost somewhere between $300 and $350. For a better idea of how much they cost in your area, it’s best to look around online for kennels, breeders and how much they charge.
History of the Black Mouth Cur
While we know that this breed originated in South America, not much else is known about the origin of the Black Mouth Cur. There is a chance that these dogs descended from European and Asian cur breeds that were brought to the US by settlers and pioneers. They were predominantly used as hunting dogs, and still are today.
Why don’t we know the ancestry of the Black Mouth Cur?
Despite their unknown origin, we do know that Black Mouth Cur Dogs were important during the settling of the American frontier – during those times, curses were commonly crossbred with other dogs. Records weren’t frequently taken at the time (if at all), which makes it difficult to pinpoint their exact ancestry.
There are some ideas as to what dogs could have been used to create Black Mouths. For example, some believe that English Mastiffs might have been involved. Others speculate that they descended from Asian and European cur breeds, since they were brought to America to help hunters and farmers.
There are many different theories but no definitive proof of lineage. Regardless, they’re generally considered to be purebred dogs and are rarely crossbred with other types of dogs, especially in current times.
What Is the Most Common Theory?
You might be wondering what the most popular speculation about their origin is. According to Wikipedia, the most widespread belief is that they come from dogs that were brought to Mississippi by European settlers. There the canines were eventually bred into the cur dog breed we know today. There isn’t any way to know for sure though, so if you’re interested in their beginnings, it might be best to do a little research of your own.
Who will Benefit from Owning a Black Mouth Cur
While this can be a friendly, loyal breed, there are a few things that you’ll want to consider before adopting one. For the most part, these dogs are perfect for families and those who need a working dog (a farmhand or hunting partner). Their high energy levels make the Black Mouth Cur an unsuitable breed for apartment living.
How Friendly Are They?
One important factor that anybody should consider before choosing a breed is how their character will fit into (or potentially disrupt) your home. For example, you might not do well with a dog that isn’t friendly or dislikes strangers if you know that you have people visiting often.
These dogs are known for being very affectionate towards their loved ones and can be extremely child-friendly, which makes them a good choice for families. They can be amicable with other large dogs, but they’re not always a good choice for homes with smaller pets due to their prey drive. The Black Mouth Cur is generally good with strangers, but they can react negatively to people and dogs they don’t know if they feel threatened. It’s important to be aware of this before adopting one.
Training Difficulties
These dogs are highly intelligent, which doesn’t necessarily make them easy to train. Those who have some experience with dogs will find it easier to train a Black Mouth Cur. They have a high prey drive and their large energy levels mean that they require a lot of work and attention. They can also be quite noisy, which is a trait rather difficult to eradicate with training.
Are They Good for a First Dog?
While their overall adaptability and friendliness can make them great pets, they’re not necessarily the best choice for beginners. This is because they can often be quite stubborn and in most cases, they need a lot of work and effort. If you don’t have much experience with dogs, the Black Mouth Dog might not be the best breed for you.
Black Mouth Cur – Trivia
While the Ladner family in Mississippi has been breeding these dogs for more than 100 years, other breeders and variations have also been around for quite some time. The red Black Mouth Cur is common in Alabama, while a yellow coat is typical for the Florida Black Mouth Cur. Tan is the most common coat color, although you can also find black and brindle curs too.
The Black Mouth Cur doesn’t require much grooming; they only need to be brushed once a week. They also don’t shed much and only need a little more care just before winter and summer.
Not only was this breed important during the American frontier, but many believe that the Black Mouth Cur was also essential in the expansion.
You might be familiar with the novel “Old Yeller”. In this classic story’s movie adaptation, the dog is played by a Labrador-Mastiff cross, but it is in fact a Black Mouth Cur in the book.
With all this information on the Black Mouth Cur, we’re sure that you now have a better understanding of what these dogs require and whether or not they’re the right choice for you. Adopting a dog of any kind is a big commitment, so be sure to take your time before you make a decision. Hopefully, you’re now better prepared to make a responsible, educated choice.
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