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Black Mouth Cur Dog Breed Introduction
Black Mouth Cur ( also known as Southern Cur) is a medium to large-sized hunting and herding dog that was developed in Southern United States. It is a highly energetic dog that makes an excellent companion for active owners. Black Mouth Curs may be a challenging breed for novice owners due to their constant need of mental stimulation and high energy levels. They are also wary of strangers. Socialization is key to raising a well-adjusted dog to different situations and environments.
Black Mouth Curs makes good playmates for older children. They also tend to bond closely with them. However, due to their rambunctious energy, they are not suitable for small kids. Furthermore, Black Mouth Curs should play with children under adult supervision. Reportedly, these dogs are very protective of children to the point of objecting to parents disciplining their kids.
Black Mouth Cur Origin | History
There are vague details about the origin and history of Black Curs. However, it is certain the breed was developed in the Southern United States. Black Mouth Curs were probably developed from the dogs brought to southern Mississippi by European settlers. The Settlers needed a farm dog that would protect the family against wild animals, herd the livestock, and hunt games in the rugged terrain. Some believe the English Mastiff played a significant role in the development of this breed due to the signature black mask. However, others credit the Belgian Malinois which also has a black mask. Although, the claims are yet to be substantiated.
This breed is credited for playing a major role in the settling of the Frontiersmen, and so is the Mountain Cur. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of the Black Mouth Curs since there are no records to support the claims. Currently, there is also variation in the breed based on the region and specific breeder who produces the dogs. This has made it difficult to establish the breed standards. That is why, AKC has not yet recognized Black Mouth Curs as a breed. However, United Kennel Club recognized them in 1998.
Black Mouth Cur Lifespan
A Black Mouth Cur has a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. However, some may live up to the age of 18 years.
Black Mouth Cur Grooming
A Black Mouth Cur has a short coat that may either be fine, rough, or coarse. This dog sheds throughout the year at moderate levels. Weekly brushing will help to remove loose hair, dirt, and promote new hair growth. Black Mouth Curs also shed heavily twice a year during Spring and Fall. Daily brushing is needed to confine the loose hair in the brush rather than around the house.
Black Mouth Curs need a bath every 6 to 8 weeks unless there roll in something stinky. Use a hypoallergenic canine shampoo and conditioner to bath and moisturize the coat. After a bath, thoroughly rinse of the grooming products from the coat to prevent skin irritation. Wipe the eye corners using a clean damp cloth or unscented canine wipes. Trim the nails of Black Mouth Curs fortnightly using nail clippers or grinders every 3 to 5 weeks to prevent overgrowth, cracking, and splitting.
Overly grown nails are painful for your dog while walking or running. Brush the teeth of Black Mouth Curs at least twice a week if not daily to remove tartar build up using a dog-formulated toothpaste and toothbrush. Use an ear cleanser solution and cotton balls to clean the ears on a weekly basis to remove excess wax or debris. While cleaning the ears, checkout for signs of dog’s ear infection such as redness, odor, or a dark discharge.
Black Mouth Cur Shedding
A Black Mouth Cur sheds throughout the year at moderate levels and heavily while experiencing seasonal change in Spring and Fall.
Black Mouth Cur Coat
A Southern Cur has a short and dense coat that may either be fine, coarse or rough.
Black Mouth Cur Hypoallergenic
A Black Mouth Cur is not a hypoallergenic breed. It has a moulting coat that sheds all-year round at moderate levels and heavily twice a year. Shedding releases dander and hair into the environment triggering allergic reactions. Furthermore, the saliva, mucus, and urine of Black Mouth Curs also contain the protein allergens that aggravates allergies.
Black Mouth Cur Training | Training Tips
A Black Mouth Cur is an intelligent dog that enjoys learning new things and pleasing its owners. This is especially true if gentle training methods are used. Furthermore, these pooches will do anything for a treat. However, the Black Mouth Curs are also sensitive dogs that don’t respond well to harsh training methods such as use of choke or prong collars, yelling, shoving, beating, and kicking. These methods are outdated, counterproductive, and cruel. Keep the training sessions short for a span of 5 minutes distributed throughout the day to avoid boredom and distraction.
Make the sessions fun, challenging, and unpredictable to enhance positive outcomes. Train Black Mouth Curs the desired behaviors from an early age before they get inclined to bad behaviors. Owners should also assume the pack leadership for a successful training. Generally, Black Mouth Curs are social dogs that thrive where a pecking order has been established. Use of pack leadership allows the pooch to reach its full potential while feeling safe to know it is under the guidance of a loving, trusted, and respected leader who will make thoughtful decisions for the well-being of the pack. Dogs also respect parents who assume pack leadership since they know they are the source of all the good things such as food, treats, and toys. For this reason, a Southern Cur will be a respectful and cooperative follower within the pack.
A Black Cur Mouth may be somewhat wary of strangers. Socialization training is crucial to ensure you raise a well-mannered, well adjusted canine companion. This breed also thrives best as the only pet in the home. However, if raised along with other pets they will co-exist together as long as they don’t share the food and water bowls as well as toys. Socialization training starts from the age of 3 weeks while the pup is with the breeder until the age of 16 weeks after the pet as already settled in its new home. Usually, owners take their puppies home from the age of 8 weeks. However, this training can be a life-long process to ensure the dog matures to have a well-rounded personality.
To socialize a Southern Cur, expose it to a wide variety of people, animals, places, surfaces, sight, experiences, smell, situations, and sounds such as baby crying sounds, lawn mowers, sirens, door bells, washing machine, vacuum cleaners, and whistles. Enrolling a Southern Cur in a puppy class will also serve as a form of socialization. These classes offer a controlled environment where puppies interact. Puppy classes also enable the owner to not only identify and correct bad habits but also have access to training information and assistance. Start teaching basic command words such as come, sit, stay, wait, leave it, drop it, etc. one at a time until the dog is well-acquainted. Avoid issuing a command word while too excited or frustrated since it no longer sound the same for your pooch.
Effectively housebreak a Southern Cur, by creating a feeding schedule, potty training, and crate training. While potty training, get positive outcomes through gentle, consistent, and patient training methods. Take the Black Mouth Curs to the designated toilet area immediately they wake up, 20 minutes after meals and drinks, following an exciting activity such as car ride and playtime, after naptime, every 2 to 3 hours, and before bedtime. After the age of 8 months, a Southern Cur should go for potty breaks every 6 to 8 hours. This is because the bladder and bowel muscles of a pup strengthens as it matures. A crate is an invaluable tool while potty training. It allows the owner to closely monitor the dog for signs of eliminating such as whining, sniffing, squatting, restlessness, circling, and lifting a leg against the crate door.
Black Mouth Cur Temperament | Personality | Traits
- Energetic.
- Sensitive.
- Loyal.
- Intelligent.
- Willing to please.
- Eager to learn.
- Active.
- Somewhat wary of strangers.
- Protective of children.
- Bold.
- Outgoing.
- Trainable.
- Fearless.
- Kind.
Black Mouth Cur Exercise
A Black Mouth Cur is an energetic dog breed that needs daily exercise in form of daily long walks while on a leash or romping in a safely secured yard. Black Mouth Cur Dogs also make excellent companions for running or hiking. This breed has a high prey drive and should never walk of leash or play in unsecured yard.
Black Mouth Cur Barking | Bark
As a hunting and herding dogs, Black Mouth Curs are vocal pets that will bark or howl while hunting. They are also likely to bark at unusual sounds and strangers.
Black Mouth Cur Height
A Mature Black Mouth Cur has a height of 16 to 26 inches ( approx. 41 to 64 cm ).
Black Mouth Cur Weight
Black Mouth Curs have a weight of 45 to 100 pounds ( approx. 20 to 45 kg ). However, a Male Black Mouth Cur should have a minimum of 40 pounds ( approx. 18 kg ) while its female counterpart should have a minimum of 35 pounds ( approx. 16 kg ).
Black Mouth Cur Size
A Black Mouth Cur is a medium to large-sized breed that has a weight of 45 to 100 pounds ( approx. 20 to 45 kg ) and a height of 16 to 26 inches ( approx. 41 to 64 cm ).
Black Mouth Cur Female
A Female Black Mouth has the same weight(45 to 100 pounds) and height ( 16 to 26 inches) range of its male counterpart. However, it may have a minimum weight of 35 pounds ( approx. 16 kg ) while a male Black mouth Cur should have a minimum weight of 40 pounds ( approx. 18 kg ). Therefore, Black Mouth Curs Female are slightly smaller as compared to their male counterparts.
Black Mouth Cur Aggressive
A Black Mouth Cur is suitable in a one pet home. Therefore, they may exhibit dog aggression if they were never socialized from an early age to live with other pets.
Black Mouth Cur Bite Force
Reportedly, Black Mouth Curs may have a bite force of between 170 to 200 PSI.
Black Mouth Cur Biting
A Southern Cur may be prone to biting and nipping due to their herding heritage especially puppies. A youngster is likely to bite while playing, exploring the environment, or when teething due to discomfort. This habit ought to be discouraged while the puppies are young through redirection and bite inhibition training to avoid raising a dog that will have serious biting issues.
Black Mouth Cur Health Issues
A Black Mouth Cur is a relatively healthy breed with a few health issues due to the wide gene pool. However, they may suffer from certain health problems including ear infections, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, mange, epilepsy, and eye disorders like cataracts.
Black Mouth Cur Names
A Black Mouth Cur parent may find a name for the pet before it joins them home from the breeder or a few days after the pup joins them home to understand better the personality of the dog. Parents may find name inspirations from the black mask of the breed, coat color and texture, personality, heritage of the breed, movies, books, songs, celebrity Black Mouth Curs, nature, or historical figures.
Regardless of where you will source the name, ensure the name chosen freely rolls off your tongue and will not make you embarrassed if uttered out loud in the public places. Black Mouth Curs and other dog breeds better understand names that have vowels. Avoid giving your pooch a name that rhymes with the command words to avoid confusion.
If a parent settles with a long and tedious name, he or she should find a cute nickname for the pup. If a Southern Cur shares a name with any household member or guest who frequent the house, it may result to confusion. Some of the names that Black Mouth Curs parents give to their dogs include:
- Wilson.
- Ashley.
- Buttercup.
- Daphne.
- Gloria.
- Max.
- Omar.
- Amber.
- Skipper.
- Grover.
- Dakota.
- Caleb.
- Anya.
- Sadie, etc.
Black Mouth Cur Food
The amount of food that Black Mouth Curs feed on depend on their age, metabolism, size, activity level, and body build. Black Mouth Curs puppies have a high metabolism rate as compared to adults or senior dogs. Therefore, a puppy should feed 3 or 4 times a day immediately they start weaning until the age of 6 months. From the age of 6 months, Black Mouth Curs will feed a total of two meals for life with snacks in between.
Like other dogs, Black Mouth Curs should feed on the right amount of minerals, protein, amino acids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, water, and fats to maintain a healthy bone structure and weight. Depending on the budget and the time of preparation needed, parents may feed a Southern Cur with dry food, wet food, home made meals, or a raw diet. Owners who prefer commercial dry or wet food should ensure the first three ingredients that are listed are proteins from a known source.
Commercial foods should neither have fillers, chemicals, meat by-products, additives, nor preservatives. The same goes to the snacks given to the pets. Dry or wet food should also be formulated for medium to large-sized puppies, adults, and senior depending on the age of your Southern Cur. Check the physique of your dog to tell whether it is underweight or overweight.
The pet is underweight if the ribs are visible. However, if the ribs are not visible but can be felt without pressing hard, a Southern Cur has an ideal weight. Although, if the ribs cannot be felt after pressing, the pet is overweight and should be exercised. Owners who want to switch to another pet food should gradually do this over a period of one month by mixing old food with new food. As the week progresses, the amount of old food decreases as the amount of the new food increases until the Southern Cur is only feeding on the new food.
Black Mouth Cur Colors | Brindle
A Southern Cur may either have a fawn, yellow, light brown, black, brindle, or dark brown coat color.
Black Mouth Cur Types
There is only one type of purebred Black Mouth cur that may also be referred to as Southern Black Mouth Cur, Southern Cur, or Yellow Black Mouth Cur.
Apart from Black Mouth Curs, other dog breeds include:
Black Mouth Cur Allergies
A Southern Cur may be affected by certain types of allergies as discussed below:
Skin allergies – Southern Curs may suffer from skin allergies due to food, contact, and environmental allergies that manifest on the skin.
Food allergies – Although rare, Black Mouth Curs may also be affected by food allergies. True food allergies result in an immune response that is usually accompanied with a wide range of symptoms from skin issues such as sores, lesions, facial swelling, dermatitis,, and pruritus to gastrointestinal stress such as cute vomiting and diarrhea.
Contact allergies – This allergy causes inflammation to a Southern Cur once the allergen comes in contact with the skin. Some of the contact allergens that affect Black Mouth Curs include grooming products, plastics, certain fabrics, carpet cleaning detergents, latex, medications, and lawn chemicals.
Environmental allergies – Some of the environmental allergens that affect Black Mouth Curs include fleas, mites, pollen, grass, trees, dust and dust mites, ragweed, and house molds. Flea cause flea allergy dermatitis that causes excessive scratching and biting until the skin around the bite area is raw. Symptoms of environmental allergies include nasal discharge, sneezing, congestion, and itchiness on various body parts such as paws, underarms, muzzle, ears, face, around the eyes, between the toes, groin, belly sides, and between the toes.
Black Mouth Cur Ears
A Black Mouth Cur has drooped ears, black mask, and a head that is broad and flat.
Black Mouth Cur Tail
A Southern Cur has a long undocked tail that reaches the hock.
Black Mouth Cur Tongue
A Southern Cur has a dark pigmented lip pigment except for the tongue.
Are Black Mouth Cur Hypoallergenic
No. Black Mouth Curs have a shedding coat that releases dander and fur into the environment aggravating allergies.
Are Black Mouth Curs Aggressive
Although not aggressive towards people, Black Mouth Curs are suitable for one pet home. Therefore, it may exhibit dog aggression if another dog is introduced at a later age. However, if raised together, Black Mouth Curs can learn to co-exist together.
Is A Black Mouth Cur A Pitbull
No. In the United States the term ‘Pitbull’ is used to refer to dog breeds that have been descended from bulldogs and terriers. Black Mouth Curs have not be listed as one of the breeds under the Pitbull classification. Pitbull dog breeds in America include American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bully, and American Staffordshire Terrier. Occasionally, the American Bulldog is also classified under the Pitbull term although it originated from the Old English Bulldog.
Do Black Mouth Cur Shed
Yes. Black Mouth Curs shed all-year round at moderate levels and heavily while experiencing seasonal change in Spring and Fall.
What Is A Black Mouth Cur
It is a medium to large-sized hunting and herding dog breed that originated in Southern United States. Black Mouth Curs have a short and dense coat that may either be coarse, fine, or rough. This breed is known for its distinctive black mask.
Black Mouth Curs Quick Facts
- They have a black mask like the Belgian Malinois, Mastiff, and Bullmastiff.
- Black Mouth Curs have a dark pigmented lips and gums except for the tongue.
- Although pure breed dogs, they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club.
