In this post:
The Black Mouth Cur is a dog breed that originated from the Southern United States and was generally used for hunting and as a cattle dog. It's a medium-sized dog breed usually around 16 inches tall, weighing between 40 to 80 pounds. The lifespan of this breed is around 12 to 18 years.
Read on to find out 5 facts about Black Mouth Cur and see if this breed group could be the one for you.
Black Mouth Cur Photos
1. Black Mouth Cur is multi-talented
The Black Mouth Cur has many talents. As a working dog, she is used primarily as a herding dog but is also used to hunt, guard, and she even dabbles in man trailing and search and rescue.
The ability of this breed type to adapt to work in such a variety of activities makes her the perfect dog for a farm or ranch.
Not only is she a great worker, but she is also an excellent companion dog who bonds strongly with her owner. She can fit in well with a family providing she gets the exercise she needs.
2. She needs an outdoor space for exercise and barking
Born and bred outdoors, the Black Mouth Cur loves to be outside. She won't do well in an apartment setting; a house with a spacious garden to run and play in is best for her.
She is a medium-high energy dog who needs at least one hour of vigorous exercise a day, whether it is a brisk walk on the leash or off-leash running and playing in the park.
She also makes a great jogging partner, so you can get into shape with her by your side.
3. She is protective – and famous for it!
Ever seen the tearjerker Disney movie Old Yeller? If not, let me fill you in:
Based on the book of the same name by Fred Gipson, the story revolves around a young boy and a stray dog in post-Civil War Texas.
The dog in question is based on none other than the Black Mouth Curs, whose fearlessness and loyalty to his owners is unyielding – he saves the family from many attacks by wild animals and even gets injured in the process.
This story truly captures the essence of the Black Mouth Cur. She is indeed blessed with fierce loyalty and courage and often has a strong bond with her family. She is gentle and loving, especially with children, and will protect you from any danger that may befall you.
4. High intelligence is what Black Mouth Cur is loved for
She is incredibly smart. She can learn commands quickly, and this makes them easy to train.
As she is intelligent, she can bore easily, so too much repetition can lead her attention to wander onto something more interesting. Try to keep the sessions short and varied and use lots of positive reinforcement.
A word of warning, however: the Black Mouth Cur puppy needs a firm, confident leader who is in control. If you don't assert yourself with her, she will quite happily assume the role of pack leader, which can lead to unwanted behavior.
Make sure you set rules from the word go and maintain them consistently. If she's not allowed on the sofa or you don't want her to jump up at you, don't ever make an exception. Even if that little puppy face looks so cute and you can't resist, you'll regret it later on!
Check out how responsive and obedient this Black-Mouth Cur is on just day 6 of training and his first day off leash:
5. She has long life span and healthy life
As mentioned above the Black Mouth Cur has a life span of up to 18 years, which is much longer than average for a medium to large breed type dog, with a life span of up to 12 or 13 years. So if you're thinking of owning this purebred breed type, she is likely to bless you with many years of companionship.
Also, as she is often used as a working breed, breeders have taken care that, genetically, she is up to the job. This means she is generally a very healthy dog.
Having said that, it is still worth being aware of some of the health concerns that have been identified in the Black Mouth Cur to better care for your dog.
Potential Health Problems of a Black Mouth Cur
- Ear infections
- Eye problems
- Mange
- Epilepsy
- Skeletal problems
Black Mouth Cur Breeders
As always, it is important to find a reputable breeder in order to get a Black Mouth Cur puppy who will live a long and healthy life. A responsible breeder will be able to show you all the paperwork for the dog, including the history of the puppy's parents and her vaccinations.
Here are just a few reputable cur breeders:
The average price for a Black Mouth Cur puppy is between $300 – 350. Alternatively, if you'd like an adult Black Mouth Cur, many rescue centers that have this breed all over the US.
Conclusion
Isn't the Black Mouth Cur a little genius? She is adaptable, protective, intelligent, healthy, easy to train and gentle with children. She does need an active lifestyle and flourishes if you give her a job.
