Black Mouth Cur
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via Wikipedia: Black Mouth Cur · see source
The Black Mouth Cur is a medium- to large-sized American breed of dog of cur type, originating in the southern United States. It is a popular hunting companion used to hunt a large variety of game. The breed is also known as the Southern Cur, Southern Black Mouth Cur, and the Yellow Black Mouth Cur.
History
The breed's origins lie in the Southern United States, where it is known by several names including Southern Cur, Southern Black Mouth Cur, and Yellow Black Mouth Cur. Various conjectures exist about its ancestry, the most common being descent from dogs—among them some Belgian Malinois—brought to southern Mississippi by European settlers.
From Mississippi, the dogs spread to the mountains of Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina and Tennessee, and eventually into the Big Thicket region of Southeast Texas. The title character in Fred Gipson's novel Old Yeller is claimed to have been a Black Mouth Cur. A breed club, the Southern Black Mouth Cur Breeders Association, was formed in 1987, and the United Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1998. Northern state dog rescue organizations have been actively transporting rescue dogs of the breed from shelters in the south.
Florida counterpart
The Black Mouth Cur is a known genetic contributor to the common "Florida brown dog," also called the Florida Cur, Florida Cow Dog, Florida/Cracker Cur, or Florida Cracker dog. Originating in Florida, this cattle herder has served as a defense against wild cats, boars, and bears since the early days of cattle ranching in the region.
The Florida Cracker Cur is bred for working ability, typically having a muscular body and well-developed snout, and tends to be slightly larger and heavier-boned than other curs. Coat colors include brown, white, or black, often with white spots on the feet and chest. Most Florida brown dogs have a mix of Labrador Retriever, some Black Mouth Cur, and a small amount of hound in their ancestry. "Nip" and "Tuck" were Florida Cracker Curs gifted to one of the protagonists by the Indians in A Land Remembered, a best selling novel by Patrick D. Smith.
Description
The Black Mouth Cur is a medium-to-large working dog with a strong, athletic build. Its short, dense coat is most often yellow, fawn, or light brown, but can also be dark brown, brindle, or black. The breed has a broad, flat head, drooping ears, and a notably dark black muzzle.
It possesses a deep chest, long legs, and a long tail that is usually left undocked. This dog is naturally cautious around strangers and can be fiercely protective of children, sometimes even objecting to parental discipline. Many individuals are said to respond more readily to female owners.
More in Dog Breeds Originating in the United States
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Black Mouth Cur (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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