Black Mouth Cur Guide: Temperament, Size and Adoption
Overview
Medium in size, the Black Mouth Cur is a strong and nimble tree dog that the United Kennel Club says should be judged as a working dog. Its body is square or just slightly longer than tall, and its legs are long enough for quick movement over rough terrain.
History
The breed's origin is uncertain, with some writers pointing to the mountains of Tennessee and others to Mississippi. Early American settlers used these dogs widely as all-round working dogs, and the dogs traveled west with them as hunting dogs and family guardians. The United Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1998.
How big do Black Mouth Curs get?
The United Kennel Club standard sets minimum heights, which are 18 inches for mature males and 16 inches for mature females. For black mouth cur weight, the same standard sets minimums of 40 pounds for mature males and 35 pounds for mature females. Dogs are expected to be presented in hard, muscular condition.
Black Mouth Cur temperament and personality
The UKC standard describes a hunter that combines tenacity and courage with a strong desire to work. It also describes these dogs as very loyal and protective of their owner and family. The standard lists viciousness or extreme shyness as a disqualification, so those traits are not part of the breed's intended temperament.
Coat and black coat colors
The coat is short, dense and close lying, and its texture may be coarse, rough or very fine. Accepted colors include black as well as shades of red, yellow and fawn, brown, buckskin and brindle, with or without a black muzzle or mask.
Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 7, 2026.
References
- Breed Standards : Black Mouth Cur | United Kennel Club (UKC) (opens in a new tab), United Kennel Club, checked November 7, 2026
