Black Mouth Cur puppies

About the Black Mouth Cur

The Black Mouth Cur is an all round working dog of the American South, kept by early settlers to hunt, work livestock and guard the homestead, and families there have bred them for well over a hundred years. The United Kennel Club recognised the breed on 1 November 1998; the AKC does not register them. They are a muscular, square built dog with drop ears and a short, dense, close lying coat in shades of red, yellow or fawn, black, brown or brindle, often with the black muzzle that gives the breed their name, though not every dog has it. Daily Paws gives 46 to 61 cm and 15.9 to 27.2 kg, Embark prints heavier figures of 20.4 to 43.1 kg, and the UKC standard sets only minimums.

This is a high energy dog who needs daily exercise, a job to focus on and mental work such as scent games, and Daily Paws says they can manage in an apartment only when those needs are met. Grooming is easy: a weekly brush and an occasional bath, plus regular ear checks, because those floppy ears are prone to infection. Daily Paws' experts say the breed can be a lot for first time owners and often does best as the only pet, given their strength and prey drive. Start socialising early, since Embark notes a territorial streak that means they have to learn the difference between guests and intruders.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Black Mouth Cur puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. This is a high energy breed. At eight weeks that shows up as intensity rather than stamina, and they will need a job to do long before they need long walks. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Ear infections, linked to their floppy ears, so clean and check the ears regularly
• Orthopaedic problems including arthritis; see your vet if your dog becomes stiff or lame

Your Black Mouth Cur puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Black Mouth Cur.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 15.9 to 27.2 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Kit sizes: crate 36 inch (36 x 24 x 26 in, 91 x 61 x 66 cm) for an adult of up to 27.2 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.

Buying guides for this

• Best crate for a puppy: wire, plastic or soft, and how to size one with a divider

Other medium breeds

Previous: Black and Tan Coonhound · Next: Black Russian Terrier

Sources

• dailypaws.com for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming and the temperament ratings and health notes
• ukcdogs.com for coat type
• embarkvet.com for country of origin
• Health notes from Black Mouth Cur breed information at https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/dog-breeds/black-mouth-cur. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

No published figure for the good with children rating and the good with other dogs rating, so nothing is shown rather than a guess.

Photo: Photo by Greg Hume ( Greg5030 ), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.