Black Mouth Cur: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care
History, Care Tips, and Helpful Information for Pet Owners
Laurie Gouley / Pexels
The black mouth cur, named for their square black muzzle, is a shorthaired ranch dog with a sweet personality. Their energy, intelligence, and tenacity make them loyal workers and companions, while their desire to bond with humans makes them great family dogs.
Because the black mouth cur is a hunting and herding dog, you'll need to make sure they get enough physical and mental exercise so they remain happy. They can become territorial, so make sure you socialize your black mouth cur if you plan to have other pets in the house.
Learn more about the black mouth cur, including their history, temperament, and care needs.
Breed Overview
HEIGHT: 16 to 25 inches
WEIGHT: 35 to 80 pounds (female); 40 to 95 pounds (male)
COAT: Short; fine or coarse
COAT COLOR: Ranges from tan to red and brown; almost all have black muzzles
LIFE SPAN: 12 to 15 years
TEMPERAMENT: Friendly, lively, loyal, active, energetic, playful, bright
HYPOALLERGENIC: No
ORIGIN: United States
Characteristics of the Black Mouth Cur
A jack of all trades, the black mouth cur is a “utility” dog often used for hunting, herding, and other working jobs. While they excel at having a job, they're equally as happy existing alongside their family members, with lots of play and adventure involved. They have joyful personalities and silly demeanors that bring a smile to their humans' faces daily.
While they are affectionate and love their families, black mouth curs can be territorial about their food, toys, or people. Their prey drive could compel them to chase or attack small animals like rabbits and squirrels, too.
But with proper socialization as a puppy and appropriate introductions to other animals, black mouth curs can often happily cohabitate with other pets. However, feeding them separately and making sure there are ample resources—like extra water bowls and toys—can discourage any innate resource-guarding behavior.
Although their black muzzle is a defining feature, not all black mouth curs have it.
Affection Level | High |
Friendliness | High |
Kid-Friendly | Medium |
Pet-Friendly | Medium |
Exercise Needs | High |
Playfulness | High |
Energy Level | High |
Trainability | High |
Intelligence | Medium |
Tendency to Bark | Medium |
Amount of Shedding | Medium |
History of the Black Mouth Cur
The exact origin of the black mouth cur is unknown, but the breed was developed in the southern United States and was used by early settlers to hunt game, protect their homes and livestock, and help out on the ranch.
There are a number of different black mouth cur lines throughout the United States, some specializing in cattle herding while others are livestock guardians or hunters.
Some breed registries—including the American Kennel Club—don't consider the black mouth cur a purebred dog. By definition, "cur" can refer to a "mongrel" dog or one that is comprised of multiple breeds.
Similarly, the mountain cur is not yet recognized by the AKC, but the breed is a part of the registry's Foundation Stock Service, meaning it could earn recognition in the future.
Black Mouth Cur Care
Black mouth curs are relatively easy to care for, with attainable exercise, grooming, and training needs. Like with all animals, it's important to do your research ahead of welcoming a dog into your family so you can be sure you're able to give them a quality life.
Exercise
The black mouth cur is a high-energy dog who needs at least an hour of daily exercise if they don't have a job to do. If you’re looking for a tireless companion to join you on adventures, the black mouth cur is for you. These dogs enjoy a variety of activities, such as:
Obedience
Rally
Keep in mind, intelligence and restlessness are a recipe for a mischievous dog. Black mouth curs aren't couch potatoes, so if you aren’t able to offer them enough exercise, they'll likely get themselves into trouble. You can keep their minds busy with puzzle toys and skills like nose work on a rainy day. A big yard or parcel of land to roam is a must, too.
Grooming
The black mouth cur’s short, thick fur is single-coated and easy to maintain with semi-regular brushing and bathing for hygiene and odor management.
Keep up with daily teeth brushing to help prevent gingivitis, dental disease, and bad breath. Also be sure to trim their nails regularly.
Training
A social nature and eager-to-please attitude make black mouth curs great family dogs. However, they can be wary around strangers, as well as protective of children.
They have a sensitive nature, so they don't respond well to negative reinforcement from their human. Raising your voice at this breed will only result in distrust and hurt your bond. As long as you keep it light and breezy, positive reinforcement training will come easily to your black mouth cur.
They're intelligent and driven—training gives them work to do and they'll happily do it. But keep training sessions short, as these dogs can get bored easily, too.
Common Health Problems
Black mouth curs were created through a wide gene pool, and while they benefit from generally good health, they are prone to a number of conditions. Those include:
Arthritis and hip dysplasia: Like all other medium to large dogs, the black mouth cur is at risk for arthritis and hip dysplasia. Preventative care for their joints is important for a long and happy life. Keep your dog at a healthy weight because obesity puts extra strain on their joints. You can also talk to your vet about a joint care diet and bone and joint supplements.
Allergies: Allergies can cause various symptoms, such as skin irritation and itching. You may need to experiment with foods, supplements, and medications to control allergy symptoms. Nowadays, injectable allergy treatments can last months at a time.
Ear infections: Black mouth curs are prone to ear infections because of their floppy ears. Keep the ears clean and dry, and examine them often to look for signs of infection, such as odor, discharge, or inflammation.
Mange: Caused by mites, sarcoptic mange and demodectic mange affect the skin. Symptoms include redness, itchiness, and hair loss, as well as skin swelling, scaling, and thickening. A vet can prescribe treatment.
Cataracts: This condition causes the lens of the eye to become cloudy, thereby inhibiting a dog’s vision. It can be caused by genetics or diabetes, as well as trauma and old age. Surgery can remove a cataract.
Diet and Nutrition
If they're a working dog, your black mouth cur will need a high-performance working dog diet to stay healthy. Otherwise, a regular high-protein diet will make your dog a happy pooch. Their diet should be balanced with appropriate exercise to keep them trim.
These dogs may need around 3 cups of food per day, split into multiple feedings. If you aren’t sure how much to feed your dog, talk to your vet to be sure you give them the right amount to maintain a healthy weight. Always have fresh water available as well.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Black Mouth Cur
Black mouth curs can be relatively hard to find, so your best bet for getting one may come in the form of adoption. Check out local pet shelters as you begin your search—these organizations should be able to provide guidance and next steps for adoption as well as direct you to reputable breeders if you choose to go that route.
Though rarer, there are black mouth cur breeders. Begin with searching for reputable breeders in your area. Generally, a black mouth cur from a breeder can cost you anywhere from $300 to $1,400.
Black Mouth Cur Overview
The black mouth cur can be a good pet for the right people. They have a lot of energy and need to be able to enjoy a lot of physical activity every day. They are also very affectionate and easy when it comes to grooming.
Pros of Black Mouth Curs
Adventurous and affectionate
Highly intelligent and eager to please
Easily bonds with humans
Cons of Black Mouth Curs
May chase smaller pets or animals
Can be territorial
Needs a job or plenty of exercise
21 Best Hunting Dogs for Tracking Any Kind of Prey
More Dog Breeds and Further Research
Always do your research before bringing any new animal into your life. It’s a good idea to talk to both current owners of a breed as well as breed organizations. This goes double for breeds like the black mouth cur that require extra exercise and attention.
If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out:
There’s a whole world of potential dog breeds out there—with a little research, you can find the right one to bring home!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are black mouth curs good family dogs?
Black mouth curs are playful and affectionate, which can make them a great family dog. That being said, they will need a lot of exercise and training, which may not always be achievable with young children in the family.
Are black mouth curs aggressive?
Training is especially important for black mouth curs because they can sometimes become territorial and aggressive around things they determine are "theirs"—whether that be people, food, or property. So, while they are not an innately aggressive breed, they can occasionally have aggressive tendencies.
Is a black mouth cur a pit bull?
Although they might look similar in some ways, black mouth curs are not pit bulls. Also, pit bull is not a single, specific breed.
What is the difference between a black mouth cur and a mountain cur?
Generally, black mouth curs are larger and feature lighter fur colors (along with their black muzzles). Mountain curs come in darker colors with light markings. Both breeds love hunting and having a task.
Read the original article on The Spruce Pets.
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