Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mix: Your New Best Friend?
Stacy Reed
Author: Stacy Reed
Stacy is a freelance writer who has always shared her life with dogs, especially German Shepherds.
Published date: December 13, 2019
Updated date: May 25, 2023
This article was reviewed and fact checked If you have found any errors, please contact us!

Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mix: Your New Best Friend?

Black Mouth Curs and German Shepherds are two prevalent breeds. Mixes of both kinds are also popular dogs.

However, as with all mixed-breed dogs, your furry friend can easily have a mixture of traits from both breeds, so you want to know what to expect.

Mixtures of these breeds make great pets, but may not necessarily be suited to every household. After all, a new dog that suits your and your family’s lifestyle will adjust to their new surroundings better.

This leads us to the major question:

Is the Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mix right for you? This dog is suitable for many home settings, but understanding their needs is essential.

Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mix

What Do These Dogs Look Like?

According to Work-At-Home-Tonight, this breed mix features the muscular build of a German Shepherd, although the dog might be smaller.

Other common traits include the downward-sloping pelvis and broad chest of a Shepherd.

These physical traits combined help give this mixed-breed distinctive posture that is usually associated with a purebred German Shepherd Dog.

This dog’s head will usually have a wedge shape, also a distinctive trait. You can expect large, erect ears with slightly pointed tips.

Ear cropping and posting are not customarily a practice for dogs of this combination of breeds.

Brown and gray are popular colors for this cross-breed, as well as the brown and black coloring often seen on purebred Shepherds.

Your dog might either be smooth-coated or have a thicker double coat. These dogs have the smooth skin of both breeds.

A BM Cur GSD Mix may also have Cur coloration, with a primarily tan or brown coat and a black muzzle.

Many dogs with this coloring are often identified as Shepherd mixes, even though the coat color is more consistent with a Cur.

What Type of Personality is Typical For Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mix?

Although Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd mixes are not considered exceptionally high-maintenance, they require attention, just as any dog does.

Neither of the breeds that make up this mix does well in a setting where they’re just left in a backyard all day.

These dogs do best in a setting where they live in the house, with access to a yard with a sturdy fence. A daily walk, as well as some off-leash exercise in the yard, will suit most of these dogs’ needs very well.

Cur and Shepherd mixes have strong protective instincts towards members of their families, including children.

When you have one of these mixed breeds around your kids, you can be sure that they will be loyal companions and that they enjoy each other’s company.

How Are Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mixes With Other Animals?

These dogs get along because of other pets they have been raised with since they were puppies.

Because the breed mix can be very protective towards their family members, they are not as likely to accept another pet as a new addition.

Before adding another pet to your household or introducing a new BM Cur and GSD mix to your family, you will want to see how the animals get along.

Rescues and reputable breeders will be happy to arrange meet-and-greets.

Even though this breed mix can be slow to accept other dogs, they were bred to work with other dogs.

As long as the introductions are handled properly, your dogs should get along without serious problems. Reasonable supervision makes all the difference.

Black-Mouth-Cur-German-Shepherd-Mix

What is the Origin of Black Mouth Curs?

According to HuskyShepherd, the Black Mouth Cur is an American breed developed from several kinds popular for farm use in the South. This breed has Asian and European origins as well.

Most BM Curs have their origins in dogs bred in Mississippi, Alabama, or Tennessee. They were traditionally a popular breed that farmers took with them when they settled further west.

Purebred Black Mouth Curs have been used for both hunting and herding. These instincts help add to the breed’s protective nature.

The mix of German Shepherd blood helps add to the dog’s overall guarding instincts.

What is the Origin of the German Shepherd?

According to Dogster, the German Shepherd saw most of its development in the early 20th century. Germans used them for guarding flocks, as well as police and military work.

German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds in the United States. Both working and show lines have contributed to the bloodlines of mixes that include Shepherds.

Both the GSD and BM Cur contribute a lot of protectiveness to this mixture because of the functions that these breeds serve. Dogs of this variety excel both as pets, as well as working dogs.

What Type of Home is Best For Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mix?

There are several things about these dogs to keep in mind, according to Dog Learn. These traits will help you decide if your home is a fit.

If you live in an apartment or condo, the dog’s exercise requirements might not work out well for your needs.

However, that isn’t the only consideration. Both breeds bark and vocalize a lot, which can often be a problem for dogs left home alone a lot.

Think about the type of lifestyle that you live and whether it involves frequent outdoor exercise.

If you go walking or jogging frequently, one of these dogs will be a perfect companion. These dogs are also ideal as hiking companions.

Black-Mouth-Cur-German-Shepherd-Mix

What Are the Best Activities For Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mix?

One of these mixed-breed dogs is perfect for outdoor activities that involve the whole family. These dogs enjoy being part of a pack, and they will bond readily with everyone in the family.

Anything that encourages togetherness is a winning pick.

Both breeds that are involved have strong hunting instincts. Even if you don’t hunt, these instincts are perfect for games that include tracking.

One of the great things about tracking is that dogs will learn how to do this quickly.

Where Do You Get a Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mix?

Even though this dog is cross-breed, not purebred, some breeders breed this variety. You are likely to find most breeders breeding dogs from lines with hunting or herding backgrounds.

According to a survey by The National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA), most dogs in shelters are mixed-breeds. There is a relatively good chance of finding a Cur Shepherd mix this way.

Rescues, especially in Southern states where this breed mixture is common, may also have one of these types of dogs.

When you adopt a shelter dog or get a dog from a rescue, you are helping out a dog that needs a good home.

How Do You Introduce a New Dog?

According to the rescue organization PAWS, there are several methods you can use when introducing a new Cur Shepherd mix.

One of the most important things to remember is that dogs will fight to defend what they see as their territory.

Any introduction that one of the dogs sees as an intrusion is likely to cause problems challenging to resolve without professional help.

The dogs should ideally be introduced in a location considered neutral. If the site is neutral, neither dog will be likely to feel as though they need to defend territory.

The location will likely keep most dogs calmer throughout the interaction.

Observe your dog’s body language. Making friendly moves like going into a play bow is always a good sign.

Make sure you’re ready to separate both dogs if there is any hostility like growling, stiff posture, or lunging.

Using praise and a treat each time the dogs interact positively is a great way to reinforce good behavior.

Both dogs will associate treating each other nicely with getting a reward. The more positive the experience, the better.

Black-Mouth-Cur-German-Shepherd-Mix

What Should You Expect When Both Dogs Are Home?

Once you’re confident your Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mix and the other dog are getting along okay, you can safely take both dogs home.

If more than one dog is in your household, you’ll want to go through these steps with each of them.

When there are multiple resident dogs, you still need to treat the introductions with caution. Dogs who have lived together might be inclined to treat the new dog as an intruder.

Once the new dog has been accepted, everyone should get along fine.

How Do You Introduce a Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mix Puppy?

Any puppy, including a Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mix, will likely engage in behavior that could annoy an adult dog. The adult might express their displeasure with the puppy by growling or snapping.

Never leave the puppy unsupervised with an adult dog when they are still very small. Allowing the adult dog to have some time away from the puppy can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Black Mouth Curs aggressive?

Black Mouth Curs are not typically aggressive towards humans, and it cannot be considered a common trait among them.

However, just like with any dog breed, they might begin to learn aggressive behaviors if they are not trained and socialized properly within the first few months of life. 

Black Mouth Curs are considered incredibly protective of their owners and belongings, but this doesn’t always equate to aggressive behavior.

If this type of dog feels like its human pack is in danger, it won’t hesitate to defend you. 

These dogs are natural guards and hunters, and it’s not uncommon for them to become territorial. They might not get on with other pets in the house unless you introduce them carefully and properly. 

So, Black Mouth Curs are not considered aggressive by nature, although they are prone to becoming territorial when they believe something of theirs is being threatened. 

How big does a Shepherd Cur mix get?

Both German Shepherds and Black Mouth Curs are medium to large dogs, with the German Shepherd tending to be smaller. 

To compare, a German Shepherd tends to be between 30 and 40kg for males, and 22 to 32kg for females.

A Black Mouth Cur male can be anywhere from 40 to 95 pounds, with a female weighing between 35 and 80 pounds. 

The vast range in weight for the Black Mouth Cur makes it difficult to pinpoint how large a Shepherd Cur mix could get.

However, an average estimate is between 45 and 80 pounds for this big beauty, with a height between 19 and 20 inches. 

Black-Mouth-Cur-German-Shepherd-Mix

Do Black Mouth Cur dogs bark a lot

When comparing the Black Mouth Cur to other dog breeds, they don’t bark too much. There are plenty of other dog breeds out there that bark much more than the Black Mouth Cur.

This dog breed is good for hunting and guarding, making them good at remaining quiet when needed. 

One example is the German Shepherd. These dogs are herding dogs and therefore are known to be barkers.

German Shepherds will need to be trained in the ‘quiet’ command to avoid annoying their owners with their loud voices. 

However, Black Mouth Curs can be very territorial and they might start to bark when they’re feeling threatened.

If someone is approaching you and your Black Mouth Cur that they’re not happy with, they might start barking

Again, this breed needs to be trained in the ‘quiet’ command so that you can always be on top of their barking.

Failing to train a Black Mouth Cur might subject you to loud barking sessions when they’re trying to protect their property. 

Do Black Mouth Curs like to cuddle?

Contrary to popular belief, Black Mouth Curs are very cuddly dogs who love attention from their owners.

Fiercely loyal and protective of their human packs, Black Mouth Curs love attention from their owners after a long day of hunting or guarding. 

Many people have been put off the Black Mouth Cur due to their territorial personalities, but these people don’t take the time to learn more about the breed.

They are more than just protectors – they’re attentive, loving, intelligent, and family-orientated. 

Once you have been introduced into a Black Mouth Cur’s pack, you better be ready for a bond for life. These dogs are very friendly and will enjoy as many strokes and petting sessions as you’ll offer.

They might even come to you and demand some attention! 

Black-Mouth-Cur-German-Shepherd-Mix

Are Black Mouth Curs easy to train?

Black Mouth Curs are very intelligent dogs and therefore definitely have the capacity to learn lots of tricks and behaviors. However, this doesn’t always mean that they’re easy to train.

These big dogs can be assertive and believe that they know best. 

If you don’t show your Black Mouth Cur who’s boss early on in your relationship, you’ll find it difficult to train them later in their life. So, as soon as you meet your new dog, you should start to train them. 

Any dog will be easier to train while they’re young and impressionable. Once they get set in their ways, they won’t be as willing to listen to you.

Black Mouth Curs can learn a great number of skills, tasks, and commands. 

In the grand scheme of things, Black Mouth Curs are reasonably easy to train thanks to how smart they are.

However, start training young to prevent them from thinking that they’re in charge of you rather than the other way around.

Some Final Thoughts

This video is about purebred Black Mouth Curs but gives a functional assessment of some of the differences between them and other dogs.

As a lesser-known breed, their traits are less well-known than GSDs.

Knowing what to expect from one of these dogs will help ensure that you make the best choice. Adding a new dog to your home, whether he or she is your first dog or not, is always an exciting venture.

Our YouTube Video: Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mix

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