Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mix: Full Profile, History, and Care

By Categorized as German Shepherd
black mouth cur german shepherd

The Black Mouth Cur Shepherd Mix is one of the most exciting and rewarding dog breeds. There’s a lot to know about this mixed breed-its history, care requirements, and more. Let’s take a closer look at this interesting mix!

History of German Shepherd Black Mouth Cur Mix

The German Shepherd Black Mouth Cur is a mix between the Black Mouth Cur and German Shepherd. The origin of the Black Mouth Cur is unknown since there are no written records of the breed’s pedigree.

German Shepherds

German Shepherds were developed in 1899 by Captain Max von Stephanitz of the German Army. He was inspired to create a breed that would be an all-purpose working and herding dogs to herd sheep and cattle.

Thanks to their special qualities and talents, as time goes by, the breed has attained popularity in the whole world as a specialty police dog, search and rescue dog, and military dog, and also act as service dogs for many disabled people.

Black Mouth Curs

Although the exact origin of the Black Mouth Cur is unknown, what is known for certain is that these dogs were bred in the American south, most likely in Mississippi or Tennessee.

The name Black Mouth Cur comes from the fact that these dogs will always have a black mouth, regardless of what color they grow into as an adult dog.

They were bred to be an all-purpose farm dog with a job description that involves herding livestock, guarding the farm, and hunting—basically, everything to do with a farm and cattle.

Black Mouth Cur dogs are known to be very good family dogs, not only because of their easy-going temperament but also because of how loyal they are. They form strong bonds with their human families and are known to love them truly.

Key Characteristics of Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mix

As with all mixed-breed dogs, some key characteristics are inherited from both parent breeds. These characteristics are what set this dog apart from other dog breeds, and in the case of Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mixes, these are:

Size

The German Black Mouth Cur dog is a large, muscular dog with a high energy level and stamina. This particular hybrid is larger than both the German Shepherd and the American Black Mouth Cur as it can be up to 20 inches high at its shoulder.

The weight of a Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mix is up to 90 pounds on average, with males being heavier. The size is similar to that of the American Black Mouth Curs and German Shepherds, but this mixed breed has a much longer and thicker coat.

Personality

If you’re looking for a loyal and protective guard dog, then the Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mix may be perfect for your family. These dogs are known to have an excellent temperament that makes them terrific as both working animals and great companions. In addition, if you live in an area with coyotes or other predators, this hybrid is well-suited to protect not only livestock but also their human families from danger.

The size of these mixed breeds can make them intimidating to anyone who comes onto your property without permission–making it easy enough to scare off trespassers before they get too close. Plus, because these hybrids come with all the qualities of German Shepherds (intelligence and trainability) like herding cattle or hunting game while still having some characteristics of the American Black Mouth Cur (tenacity and nose), these dogs can be trained to help you for any aspect of a farm.

Health

Even though the German black mouth cur dog breed is a healthy animal, they can still have certain health issues that are more prevalent than others. These include ear infections, epilepsy, mange, hip dysplasia, and even cataracts.

Ear infections

Ear infections can be common in dogs who have floppy ears, which is the case for both the American Black Mouth Cur and German Shepherds. The symptoms include head shaking, scratching at the ears, and winning and howling when the dog has them. It’s important to know how to prevent an ear infection in a dog if you’re going to own a German Shepherd Black Mouth Cur Mix.

One way to make sure your dog doesn’t get an ear infection is by cleaning out their ears regularly using cotton balls soaked in a good quality ear cleaning solution.

Epilepsy

A wide variety of things can cause epilepsy in dogs, but there are a few common causes. Some of these include genetic, head injuries, brain tumors, disorders of the nervous system, toxins such as poisons or lead paint chips, and environmental factors.

One way to prevent epilepsy is to minimize your dog’s exposure to potential triggers that can cause an epileptic episode. In addition, feeding them a healthy diet, keeping them exercised, and getting them checked regularly by a veterinarian can be good ways to maintain your dog’s general health.

Mange

Mange is a skin condition that can be caused by a bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infection.

The symptoms that are associated with mange include:

  • Excessive scratching or movements near ears and face
  • Reddish-brown patches on the skin
  • Irritation and itching
  • Dandruff on the coat but not hair loss
  • Scabs or sores in the affected area

First and foremost, maintaining your dog’s health is the best way to prevent mange from occurring.

You should also keep any potential areas for places where your dog might get mange mites. This should include regularly cleaning areas where they sleep or burrow.

Also, don’t forget about your dog’s diet. Feeding your dog well, especially with a healthy diet full of omega fatty acids, can help them stay healthy and minimize the risk for this condition.

Hip dysplasia

Another common health problem of German Black Mouth Curs is hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is hereditary, and it can cause joint pain and arthritis if not monitored. Factors such as improper weight management and the wrong type of exercise can greatly magnify the symptoms.

A few things that you can do to prevent this devastating condition include:

  • Getting your dog regularly checked out by a veterinarian who specializes in hip dysplasia Properly managing their weight–and not overfeeding them or letting them become obese.
  • Limiting the amount of time your dog exercises and how they exercise–keeping in mind that some activities hurt their joints more than others.
  • Taking supplements such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate.

Cataracts

Cataracts are a common sight in older dogs of many different breeds, but they’re particularly prevalent among German black mouth curs. If these aren’t treated right away, they can lead to other problems such as blindness or low vision.

Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent cataracts since it is heredity, but with a proper diet and avoidance of harmful things such as toxins, you may be able to slow down the progression of this common eye ailment.

Care

The care involved in owning a Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mix is going to vary depending on the age of the dog and how well they can take care of themselves.

You want to pay attention to their ears as dirt and debris can easily get lodged inside and cause an ear infection. This is especially true for dogs who stay outside often or like to play outdoors in humid environments.

As mentioned before, this breed is prone to a number of eyes and bone problems like hip dysplasia and cataracts, so it would be a good idea to have your dog checked by a veterinarian regularly to spot any issues that may develop.

Their teeth also need to be brushed regularly to avoid dental issues as well. This can’t be left for too long since the buildup of plaque and tartar can lead to cavities and tooth decay.

black mouth cur german shepherd puppy

Feeding

A healthy diet is an essential part of keeping your Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mix healthy. Their diet should consist of high-quality ingredients–choosing lean meats, fish, and eggs and adding vegetables, fruits, vitamins, and minerals.

You want to avoid anything with:

  • artificial preservatives and coloring
  • too much corn and rice
  • and grain (if your dog is allergic to one)

Your dog’s activity level will also determine the amount and type of food you feed them. For example, active Black Mouth Cur Shepherd dogs who hunt or round up livestock will need foods that are higher in protein and fat to provide them with the energy they need to do this work well.

Meanwhile, German Black Mouth Cur dogs who stay at home and get moderate exercise won’t need that much protein or fat, and so they can be fed a maintenance diet that has moderate amounts of protein and fat.

For their main diet, you should feed your dog twice a day at regular intervals (usually once in the morning and once in the evening). Their treats can be given during training or as a reward for good behavior.

Coat Color and Grooming

Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd mix can have either a smooth coat or a thicker double coat with a color that can be black, yellow, brown, or brindle.

They shed moderately year-round and a bit more heavily twice a year before winter and summer. Because they are not categorized as heavy shedders, most can get away with one brushing per week.

When brushing your dog, make sure to use a firm-bristled brush that will remove loose hair and stimulate the production of new hair growth. You should also need to do regular nail trimmings and keep their face and ears clean, especially in the area where skin folds over each other.

Exercise and Training

Being a high-energy dog, the Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mix is going to need a lot of exercise.

German shepherds are usually very active dogs who will chafe at being left home alone for too long–they may wind up chewing your possessions or getting involved in some other destructive behavior just because they’re bored.

They thrive on intense outdoor activities such as long walks, hikes, a lot of running, and even some swimming (if the dog is comfortable with it). Just like their parents, the Black Mouth Cur is also a very intelligent dog who’s known for their trainability.

Tracking, agility, and obedience are three fields that they excel at. So if you’re into dog sports, those are three fields that you want to focus on.

Are Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mixes Good with Kids?

The Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mix’s German shepherd side means they can be very protective of small children.

However, since the Black Mouth Cur can also have an aggressive side, you need to be careful with introducing them to children.

Introducing your dog and child should be done slowly to avoid any accidents or injuries. Make sure there’s always someone supervising your dog and child while they’re together–even if it’s just for a few minutes.

I recommend keeping them on a leash since they’re very strong and can accidentally knock a child over.

Are Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mixes Good with Other Dogs?

This mixed dog can be friendly to other dogs providing they’ve been properly socialized and trained early. However, each dog can be different; some German Shepherd Black Mouth Curs may naturally be friendlier towards other pets whereas others might be more reserved.

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