Black Mouth Cur

Also called Southern Cur, Southern Black Mouth Cur, Yellow Black Mouth Cur

Recognised breedShort profile

From Southern United States; accounts differ between the Tennessee mountains and southern Mississippi as the starting point.1 2

At a glance the quick version

Weight, malefrom 18 kg1 2

Weight, femalefrom 16 kg1 2

Height, male46 to 64 cm1 2

Height, female41 to 64 cm1 2

Sizelarge

The UKC standard sets only minimums: at least 40 lb for males and 35 lb for females. No upper limit is given.

loyal to family

courageous

eager to work

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, dense coat

A strong, nimble, medium-sized working dog with a broad head, drop ears and a square or slightly long body. The close-lying short coat can range from coarse to very fine, and many dogs wear a dark muzzle or mask.1 2

Coloursredyellowfawnbuckskinbrownblackbrindle1 2

Personality what they are like

A devoted, hard-working all-rounder that is quick and determined in the field and protective of its family, especially children. It can be reserved with people it does not know.1 2

Daily activity how busy a day looks

High. Bred as a hunting, herding and guarding farm dog, it thrives with a job and plenty of daily activity.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The short, dense coat is easy to keep; a regular brush-down is enough.1

Home where they are happiest

Best suited to an active, rural or outdoorsy home with space to work and run.1

Company who they like around

Forms a close bond with its family and likes to be part of daily life.1 2

The story where it all began

Early settlers in the American South relied on this cur as a jack-of-all-trades for hunting, herding and guarding the homestead. As families moved west, the dogs went with them, and the breed spread through states such as Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri and Texas.1 2

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
The dog in Fred Gipson's novel Old Yeller is often said to have been a Black Mouth Cur.2
2
The UKC standard puts function first: the breed should look like a working dog with nothing exaggerated.1
3
Despite the name, the black mask is optional; the standard allows dogs with or without it.1

Recognised by the official bits

UKC: Scenthound Group; recognised 1 November 1998.1
FCI: Not an FCI breed in the sources consulted.2

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Black Mouth Cur. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

Brushingevery week
Bathevery 8 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year

Start a free diary

Mountain Cur

Treeing Tennessee Brindle

Florida Brown Dog a/k/a Florida Cracker Cur

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

UKC Black Mouth Cur breed standard ukcdogs.comused for recognition, history, temperament, size, coat, colours
Black Mouth Cur, Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, origin, height range, fun facts

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.