Black Mouth Cur Care

The Black Mouth Cur was originally developed to be an all-purpose working breed--so these dogs are energetic, rugged, athletic, and very task-oriented. They're also very loyal to and protective of their owners, and can range a great deal in size (anywhere from 40 to 90 pounds or more). Overall Black Mouth Cur care and maintenance won't take too much work, but will need to include a good bit of daily exercise and plenty of companionship.

Below you'll find details on caring for a Black Mouth Cur, including info about puppy development, exercise needs, and shedding and drooling tendencies. Get answers to your questions about raising a Black Mouth Cur in the following sections!

As an energetic, athletic working breed, Black Mouth Cur exercise requirements are pretty extensive. These dogs are also intelligent and task-oriented, so they'll need a variety of activities that both condition them physically (walking, fetch) and stimulate them mentally (games, canine sports). They make good jogging and bicycling companions as well.

Adult BMCs will need at least an hour of dedicated exercise per day. You can start exercising your BMC puppy when it's three months old by taking it on short walks, then you can increase the walks' length as the pup grows.

Precautions with Black Mouth Cur exercise:

• Don't exercise puppies too hard before they're nine months old
• A leash is required when exercising in public
• Yards should be securely fenced to keep the dog from running off
• Possible separation anxiety; exercises should be done together with people

Exercising your Black Mouth Cur every day is a must. These dogs are high-energy and hardworking, and without a good bit of consistent activity they'll become anxious, disobedient, and destructive. Regular exercise will be great for both the dog's and your own peace of mind! A few exercise ideas:

• Walking/Jogging/Bicycling: Two 20-minute walks (or 15-minute jogs or bike rides) per day is a good target
• Fetch/Frisbee: These dogs will love chasing a ball, stick, or Frisbee
• Tug-of-War: Great indoor activity; use a rope or old towel
• Canine Sports: BMCs can excel at obedience or agility trials, flyball, and other events
• Dog Park: If properly socialized, BMCs will enjoy the company of other dogs
• Hiking: Excellent bonding activity

When indoors, give your BMC access to balls or toys that will allow the dog to burn excess energy. It's also good to have a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks, jogs, or bike rides after breakfast and dinner and playtime in the afternoon.

These dogs don't need a great deal of overall maintenance. Black Mouth Cur shedding is seasonal: pretty light for most of the year, but heavier during the twice-yearly shedding seasons. Drooling is a minor issue.

BMCs have short, smooth, double-layered coats that don't shed very much most of the time--but when they blow their undercoats in the spring (and depending on the climate, in the fall as well), the shedding will be more profuse. Owners only need to brush their BMCs weekly with a bristle brush to keep the shedding to a minimum, and hair cleanup--vacuuming the floors, and lint rollers on clothes and furniture--will be necessary from time to time. (Brushing and cleanup will obviously be required more often during shedding season.)

And a BMC might drool a bit in anticipation of food, after drinking water, or when especially excited or nervous--but the drooling won't be heavy or frequent like that of a Saint Bernard or Bloodhound. If your Black Mouth Cur is drooling excessively, it might be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is needed.