Blackmouth Cur, Hunting Dog

The Blackmouth Cur is a rugged hunting dog that has its origins in the Southern United States of America. Blackmouth Curs have varied historical documentation dependent upon region. Among them are the Ladner Yellow Blackmouth Cur from Mississippi, Red Blackmouth Cur from Alabama, Wetherford Ben Blackmouth Cur from Texas, and the Florida Blackmouth Cur.

The first Blackmouth 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 dog 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.

Blackmouth Cur Description

Blackmouth Cur overview
Weight:	45-95 pounds (20–43 kg.)
Height:	16-25 inches (40-64 cm.)
Coat:	Some heavy, some light
Litter size:	?
Life span:	12–16 years

The Blackmouth Cur is a well-muscled rugged hunting dog whose coat comes in a number of colors and shades, generally red, yellow, brindle, fawn or buckskin. Solid black or white Blackmouth Cur do, on rare occasion, appear in a breeding. According to the United Kennel Club 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. Ringneck is unacceptable. None of the Cur breeds are currently recognized dog breeds of the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Blackmouth Cur Appearance

Blackmouth Curs have short coats, either coarse or fine, and a combination of the two types may appear in the same litter.

• Mouth: The muzzle is square-shaped and may be melanistic mask, or black. The dog ears are medium-sized and hanging, and may either be black or the same color as the coat. 'Blackmouth' refers to the dark pigmentation around the lips that also extends into the interior of the mouth including the roof of the mouth, gums, and cheeks though not the tongue. The muzzle may or may not be dark, though it is generally the preferred look.
• Tail: The tail of a Blackmouth Cur is medium length and should not be bobbed, though many people do clip the Black Mouths tail.
• Feet: The feet are large and webbed, similar to a Catahoula Leopard Dog.
• Weight: The weight ranges of a Blackmouth Cur from 30-100 pounds, with males being larger than females. The wide weight range is due to different kinds, age, and size.

Blackmouth Cur Temperament

Black Mouth Curs are great family dogs. They are great social dogs if trained properly. This dog breed shows great loyalty and will die for their owner. The dog are around kids once they get used to them. As they grow older they become very laid back dogs. They can hunt smaller prey by themselves, and larger prey in a group.

Blackmouth Cur Health

Though many health issues affect dogs of all dog breeds and can affect the Blackmouth Cur, they seem to be a rather hardy breed. Their average life span is 12–16 years of age. As with other similar dog 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.

Blackmouth Cur Activities

Blackmouth 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 dog breed, and one dog, if quite talented, may be used for hunting, herding, and baying. Blackmouth Cur have excellent jumping and climbing ability, making them great in the field of treeing and hunting other game; however, this can also mean a fence of six feet high or higher is required to enclose this athletic breed. They have also been noted to be successful deer tracking dogs in the South.