Black Mouth Cur

The Black Mouth Cur is an American dog breed that originates in the southern part of the United States. They are most recognizable for their black snout (hence the name) and have been used as hunting and cattle dogs for hundreds of years.

Black Mouth Curs are the descendants of the dogs brought over to the United States by the Irish and the Scots who emigrated to the South. The first registered Black Mouth Curs came from Alabama, the U.S state that is usually credited for their creation. They are also common in Tennessee and Florida.

Black Mouth Curs are rugged dogs- for hundreds of years they have helped their masters with dozens of outdoor tasks, from herding livestock and protecting the homestead to hunting. While they were technically a registered breed as recently as the early 1940’s, they were being bred widely throughout the South for at least a hundred years prior.

Black Mouth Curs make wonderful companions and working dogs for rural families. Their exercise needs and energy level make them relatively unsuitable to city life, but as with most dogs they can adapt as long as they are given adequate exercise and time outside. Black Mouth Curs will really thrive in a home where they are given a job to do, whether it be herding cattle or accompanying their master on long nature walks. If deprived of time outside and cooped up in the house, Black Mouth Curs will be unhappy and liable to get into all sorts of mischief.

Black Mouth Curs are friendly dogs and get along very well with other pets provided they are socialized with them from an early age. They like other dogs, and will make a good addition to a multi dog household. They thrive on human companionship, so this is not a breed that will be happy waiting all day at home for you while you are at work. They will do best in a family that has someone home most of the day, or at least the ability to go outside as they please (think: dog door and fenced in yard.) Black Mouth Curs love people, and that includes children! They are gentle and loving with kids and will make a wonderful family pet.

As with all breeds of dog, Black Mouth Curs need early socialization and training to become the best pet they can be. This is especially true of Black Mouth Curs because of their tendency to be territorial. Historically, this breed was valued for their ability to guard livestock and the homestead, and these instincts are not extinguished in modern day Black Mouth Curs. They will need to be taught to differentiate between guests and intruders, but once they’ve got it down pat, they make lovely companion animals!