Black Mouth Cur

The black mouth cur breed is native to the southeastern United States. However, their exact provenance is somewhat uncertain. Some sources claim the breed comes from the mountains of Tennessee, while others claim they originated in the state of Mississippi. In any case, they were a dog widely used by early American settlers as a hunting and as a guard dog.

Learn more about other dogs from this region in our list of American dog breeds.

The black mouth cur is a medium sized dog. Males are about 41-64 cm (16-25") tall and weigh around 18 kg (40 lb), females usually reach around 41 cm (16") in height at the withers and 16 kg (35 lb) in weight. Here are the most common physical characteristics of the Black Mouth Cur breed:

• A strong, but athletic frame.
• Large, but proportionate head. They have moderate stop and a moderately wide muzzle.
• Both the lips and the oral mucosa are black, except in specimens with a diluted colored coat. It is this feature which provides the breed's name.
• Eyes of various colors. They can be green, brown or amber, and are also framed by dark colored eyelids. The ears are medium in size, set rather high, and fall to either side of the face.
• Slightly arched, but strong and well-muscled neck which gradually widens to a broad, muscular chest.
• Strong and straight straight limbs.
• Tail has a low insertion. It can have a variable length depending on the specimen.
• Stands out for being a fast and tenacious hunter. They spot their prey using sight, hearing and smell. They are generally dogs with great tenacity and courage, who show a strong desire to work and obey the orders of their guardians.

The International Canine Federation (FCI) has not recognized this breed to date. Currently the only organization that recognizes this breed is the United Kennel Club (UKC) which manages one of the largest dog breed databases in the world. Specifically, the UKC includes this breed within the group of ‘hounds’.

Black Mouth Cur Coat Colors

The Black Mouth Cur breed has a short, dense, bushy coat. It is most commonly some shade of brown, but there are also black or even brindle specimens. They often have a black muzzle around the mouth, which in some cases can be combined with a mask of the same color. Occasionally they may have small white spots under the chin, around the nose, on the neck, on the chest, on the extremities or on the tip of the tail.

As we have seen, throughout history the Black Mouth Cur has been used as a hunting and guard dog. However, they are also excellent companion animals. This is due to being a particularly loyal and protective breed with their human guardian and family. They are also very social dogs and great with children. They are especially sensitive dogs, meaning they can suffer greatly due to the loss of their caregiver or if they experience trauma.

In general, they tend to have a good nature with other dogs. However, when they are trained as guard and defense dogs, they can become somewhat territorial with other dogs or unknown people. It should be noted that the Black Mouth Cur is an active dog which enjoys working and abiding by the orders and guidelines set by their guardians. Their temperament does tend to relax as they age.

Regarding the care of the Black Mouth Cur dog, it is important you take into account certain specific considerations:

• Exercise: if you are considering adopting a Black Mouth Cur, you should know that it is an active dog, especially during their youth. They require daily training and/or a regular exercise routine to stay physically and mentally healthy.
  
  
• Nutrition: as with any other breed, the Black Mouth Cur needs a balanced diet, according to their age and activity level. Regardless of whether you decide to provide a commercial feed or a homemade diet, it is important the food has a high nutritional quality. In addition, it is advisable to distribute the daily amount of food into two portions. They should also always have fresh and clean water freely available.
  
  
• Grooming: being a short-haired breed, it is enough to do a light daily brushing or a somewhat more intense weekly brushing, complemented by routine baths.

The intelligence and eagerness to please of this breed make the Black Mouth Cur an easy dog to train. In addition to their traditional employment as a hunter or guard dog, the Black Mouth Cur is increasingly used in other disciplines, such as agility or search and rescue.

It is important that socialization and training be carried out from an early age, otherwise behavioral problems could appear in later stages. Learn more with our article on the basic commands to teach your dog.

Apparently the Black Mouth Cur is quite a hardy dog. In fact, it stands out for having a slightly higher life expectancy than other dogs of its size, between 12 and 16 years. As with dogs of any breed, the Black Mouth Cur is not exempt from disease. Specifically, this breed seems to have a greater predisposition to suffer from:

• Entropion: a disorder in which the eyelid is inverted, causing the eyelashes to continuously rub against the eyeball. Despite being an annoying process, it is surgically reversible. Learn more with our guide to entropion in dogs.
• Tendinous or muscular injuries: due to their active nature and use as a working dog.

If you are thinking of including a Black Mouth Cur into the family, we recommend that you look for animal protection associations near your home. In this way, you will be able to go to the place and personally meet the dogs that are waiting for adoption. Another option is to go to the websites of animal protectors or shelters, to find out if they have any Black Mouth Cur dogs waiting for adoption. More importantly, remember that breed is not the most important factor when adopting a dog. Choose based on the dog's compatibility with your lifestyle and schedule.