Black Mouth Cur

The Black Mouth Cur, also known as the Southern Cur, Southern Black Mouth Cur and the Yellow Black Mouth Cur, is a medium to large sized breed of cur-type dog from the United States. Originating in the south of the country, the breed is a popular hunting companion used to hunt a large variety of game.

Black Mouth Cur
Other namesVermont Cur
Vermont Black Mouth Cur
Yellow Black Mouth Cur
OriginUnited States
Traits
Height 16–25 in (41–64 cm)
Weight Males Minimum 40 lb (18 kg)
Females Minimum 35 lb (16 kg)
Coat Short
Color Yellow, fawn, brown, brindle or black with a black muzzle
Kennel club standards
United Kennel Club standard
Dog (domestic dog)

History

The Black Mouth Cur's origins are in the Southern United States where it is known by a number of names including the Southern Cur, Southern Black Mouth Cur and the Yellow Black Mouth Cur.[1][2] There are a number of stories about the breed's ancestry, the most commonly held story is the breed descends from dogs brought to southern Mississippi by European settlers, among these progenitor European dogs included Belgian Malinois.[1] In this environment these dogs were bred into their current form as a popular cur-type hunting dog, and from Mississippi they spread to the mountains of Tennessee, Missouri and North Carolina and eventually into the Big Thicket region of Southeast Texas.[1] It is claimed the title character in Fred Gipson's novel Old Yeller was a Black Mouth Cur.[2] In 1987 a breed club was formed to support the breed, the Southern Black Mouth Cur Breeders Association, and in 1998 the breed was recognised by the United Kennel Club.[1][3]

Description
A Black Mouth Cur showing the typical melanistic mask around the muzzle.

Appearance

The Black Mouth Cur is a medium to large sized, athletic, muscular breed of dog.[1][4][5] The breed varies considerably in height, typically standing between 16 and 25 inches (41 and 64 cm) with individual dogs known to reach 28 inches (71 cm),[1][4][5] the breed standard mandates a minimum height of 18 inches (46 cm) for dogs and 16 inches for bitches.[3] The breed typically weighs between 45 and 100 pounds (20 and 45 kg),[4][5] with the breed standard allowing for significantly lighter animals than is typical, stating a minimum 40 pounds (18 kg) for mature male dogs and 35 pounds (16 kg) for mature female dogs.[3] The Black Mouth Cur has a short, dense coat that is typically yellow, fawn or light brown in color, although dark brown, brindle and black individual animals are known.[1] The breed's head is broad and flat, they have drooped ears and a powerful, distinctively melanistic black muzzle.[1] They have a broad chest, long legs and a long tail that is typically left undocked.[1][4]

Character

The Black Mouth Cur is an extremely active breed which requires a great deal of exercise. The breed is wary of strangers and known to be very protective of children, sometimes to the point of objecting to parents disciplining their children. Many are known to respond better to female handlers.[2][4][5]

Uses

The Black Mouth Cur is used extensively for hunting throughout the Southern United States, the breed is also used as a herding dog.[1][2][4] The breed is used to hunt a broad variety of game including bear, feral pig, raccoon, deer and squirrel; the breed has a reputation as a voracious hunter that usually catches and kills game on the ground, although it does tree and bay game as well.[1][2]

See also

References
  1. Morris, Desmond (2001). Dogs: the ultimate dictionary of over 1,000 dog breeds. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Publishing. pp. 222–223. ISBN 1-57076-219-8.
  2. Wilcox, Bonnie; Walkowicz, Chris (1995). Atlas of dog breeds of the world. Neptune City, N.J.: TFH Publications. p. 203.
  3. "Official UKC breed standard: Black Mouth Cur" (PDF). United Kennel Club. 2000. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  4. De Brisco, Andrew (1990). The mini-atlas of dog breeds. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H. Publications. p. 291.
  5. Palika, Liz (2007). The Howell book of dogs: the definitive reference to 300 breeds and varieties. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley Publishing Inc. p. 158. ISBN 978-0-470-00921-5.
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