Black Mouth Cur

 The Blackmouth Cur is a rugged hunting dog that has its origins in the southern United States of America.

Black mouth Cur Appearance

The Black mouth Cur is a well-muscled, rugged hunting dog whose coat comes in a number of colours and shades, generally red, yellow, brindle, fawn or buckskin. Solid black or white Black mouth Cur do, on rare occasion, appear in a breeding. According to the UKC Standard, up to ten percent of the coat may be white with the amounts of white on the toes, tail, nose and chest considered acceptable, but ringneck is unacceptable. Black mouth Curs have short coats, either coarse or fine, and a combination of the two types may appear in the same litter.

The muzzle is square shaped and may be black or the same colouras the coat. The ears are medium sized and hanging and may either be black or the same colour as the coat. Black mouth refers to the dark pigmentation around the lips that also extends into the interior roof of the mouth, not the tongue, thus the name "Black mouth." The muzzle might or might not be dark, though it is generally a preferred look.

The tail of a Black mouth Cur is of medium length and should not be bobbed, though a bobtail does naturally occur in the Wetherford Ben line. The feet are webbed. Weight ranges: 30 - 90 pounds with males being larger than females. The wide weight range is due to different lines of Black mouth Cur.

Black mouth Cur Temperament

Black mouth Curs are known for their loyal temperament. They are slightly aloof of strangers and protective of their family and property until they sense no danger. They hunt well with other dogs, when properly socialized. This is an active breed that needs to be well-excercised. They are quick learners and have a burning desire to please their master. Consistent Training will yield positive results. Harsh tones are used more effectively than corporal punishment with Black mouth Cur. Some lines will make better family pets than others. Though many health issues affect dogs of all breeds and can affect the Black mouth Cur, they seem to be a rather hardy breed. Their average life span is 12-16 years of age. As with other similar breeds, Entropion (slight turning in of eyelid) is a correctable health issue. Their active nature exposes them to the possibility of torn ligaments and pulled muscles.

Black mouth Cur History

Black mouth Curs are used for herding cattle, baying hogs, hunting squirrel, raccoon, bear and mountain lion. Certain lines are used more for one activity than others, such as Wetherford Ben for herding, Red Alabama for Hog Baying, and Ladner for treeing ability. However, they are a multipurpose breed and one dog, if quite talented, may be used for hunting, herding, and baying. Black mouth Curs have excellent jumping and climbing ability, making them great in the field of treeing and hunting other game. If they use this ability to climb your fence, then a fence as high as 6 feet might be needed.

Black mouth Curs have varied historical documentation dependent upon region. Among them are the Ladner Yellow Blackmouth Cur from Mississippi, Red Black mouth Cur from Alabama, Wetherford Ben Blackmouth Cur from Texas, and the Florida Blackmouth Cur.

The first Black mouth Curs registered were Ladner Blackmouth Curs through the National Kennel Club in April 1964. Mr. L.H. Ladner had such extensive written documentation of his family's breeding that the NKC recognized the breed. These curs are used to tree squirrel, raccoon, bobcat, mountain lion, and bear. They are used for hunting hogs and feral cattle. They also are distinguished by being used by the search and rescue emergency services.

The Red Alabama Blackmouth Cur is believed to have originated in Alabama, though there are Red Blackmouth Cur in Florida and Tennessee. These cur were supposedly registered as property in the courthouses around Howardtown and Tibbie in the 1940's. They were used as multipurpose pioneer dogs that would hunt, protect the home, and gather in the cattle and pigs at slaughter time. Several Breeders in Alabama, Mrs. Murphy among them, continue to work toward retaining and improving the Red Blackmouth Cur.

Wetherford Ben Texas Blackmouth Curs come from a line of curs well-documented in the book "The Big Thicket Legacy." They are used primarily for herding cattle.

Florida Blackmouth Curs herding cattle are featured in old paintings hanging in local Barber Shops and homes, so their existence and history in Florida is documented.

Black mouth Curs now range from the east to the west coast and as far north as Canada. The Ladner Blackmouth Curs are also known to be in Mexico, Argentina, Haiti, Russia, India, and throughout Europe.

Through the efforts of several Black mouth Cur breeders, the United Kennel Club (UKC) later recognized the breed, featuring Howard Carnathan's Bruno, a Red Black mouth Cur, in their standard photograph.