A Black Mouth Cur Lab Mix is a crossbreed between the Black Mouth Cur and the Labrador Retriever. This breed is known for its intelligence and loyalty, making them a popular choice for families and individuals looking for a devoted companion. With their energetic and playful personalities, Black Mouth Cur Lab Mixes make excellent outdoor dogs and are well-suited for a variety of activities, including hiking, swimming, and fetch.
Photo credit: a_dog_named_pippa
They are also highly trainable and are often used as working dogs on farms and in search and rescue operations. Despite their playful demeanor, Black Mouth Cur Lab Mixes are protective of their loved ones and make excellent guard dogs.
Black Mouth Cur Lab Mix – At a Glance
| Weight: | 35–80 pounds |
| Height: | 12–15 inches |
| Lifespan: | 12–16 years |
| Coat colours: | Brown, Black, Yellow, Fawn or Red. |
| Temperament: | Excitable, energetic, loyal, affectionate, active. |
| Suitable for: | Families with or without children, couples, single individuals. |
What Does a Black Mouth Cur Lab Look Like?
The Black Mouth Cur Lab mix is a lovely mixture of two intelligent dog breeds – the American Black Mouth Cur and the Canadian Labrador Retriever. This North American amalgamation leaves one with a small-medium sized golden-coloured dog with almond-shaped eyes, a shorter, pointed tail and big floppy, triangular ears.
The History of the Black Mouth Cur Lab Mix
There’s little known history about the Black Mouth Cur Lab mix; as it is a ‘designer dog’, there isn’t much documented history. Black Mouth Curs were routinely bred with other dogs since they first arrived in the United States at the turn of the 20th century, and the Labrador was first recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 1917, we can therefore that the breed may have appeared some time after the mid-19th century.
The History of the Black Mouth Cur
There is little to no known record of Black Mouth Curs existing outside of the United States. There is surprisingly little history of their upbringing and original breeding, though we do know that the breed has existed since roughly the turn of the 19th century, when the early settlers to the country bred a hunting dog by blending a variety of hounds and terriers.
Today, the Black Mouth Cur is most common in the Midwest and is still used as part hunting/working dog and companion pet.
How Popular Are Black Mouth Curs?
The American Kennel Club does not recognize the Black Mouth Cur as a breed – instead, they’re considered something similar to a “mutt”. Some believe this stems from the nomenclature of “cur”, meaning “growl” in Norse. The AKC tends to avoid genealogically aggressive dogs in all forms.
Thus, few popularity figures are collected and available.
Who Are Black Mouth Curs a Good Dog For?
Black Mouth Curs were designed to be active hunting companions. As such, they have a terrier-type personality and make excellent companion for those with active and outgoing personality. They’re generally good with children and other pets, though unsuitable for elderly owners due to their exercise requirements.
How Did The Black Mouth Cur Come About?
The Black Mouth Cur’s origin story is a bit of a mystery, though we know that they were initially bred by the earliest settlers to the United States and may have come from cross-breeding golden-coloured dogs with dogs kept by the Indigenous Peoples.
When Did First Cross-Breed The Black Mouth Cur?
As a breed of mysterious origin, the Black Mouth Cur’s history is spotty. Still, it’s not hard to imagine that the Black Mouth Cur may have been crossed with other breeds long before cross-breeding became popular in the United States in the 1960s, peaking in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Some of the more popular Black Mouth Cur mixes include:
- Black Mouth Cur German Shepherd Mix (Black Mouth Shepherd)
- Black Mouth Cur Pitbull Mix (Black Mouth Pit)
- Black Mouth Cur Siberian Husky Mix (Siberian Black Mouth Cur)
- Black Mouth Cur Rottweiler Mix (Black Mouth Rottie)
- Black Mouth Cur Boxer Mix (Black Mouth Boxer)
The History of the Labrador
The Labrador Retriever dates back to at least the early/mid 1800s, when ships trading in furs and other goods from North America introduced the St. John’s Water Dog from Newfoundland to English breeders. These men then bred the St. John’s Water Dog to a variety of English hunting dogs – though none larger than a Pointer – to create what is today the Labrador Retriever.
Labrador Retrievers have been used in various roles throughout their breed life, including police and guide dog work and being affectionate and loving companion pets.
How Popular Are Labrador Retrievers?
Labrador Retrievers are the most popular dog in the United States. They have been at the top spot in the AKC’s rankings for 31 years! This is likely because of their physical beauty and multi-function nature. Labrador Retrievers can be beloved family pets (and are) or can be used as working dogs.
Who Are Labrador Retrievers a Good Dog For?
Labrador Retrievers are fantastic pets for just about anyone and everyone. They have a gentle nature and a kind temperament, aren’t very aggressive and are down for just about anything! Labrador Retrievers generally aren’t suitable however for the elderly, due to their size and exercise requirements.
How Did Labrador Retrievers Come About?
Labrador Retrievers first came about by trade – they were the result of a crossbreed between English Pointer dogs and the St. John’s Water Dog, who arrived in England in the 1830s via trading ships.
When Did First Cross-Breed The Labrador?
Given that the Labrador Retriever is enormously popular throughout the United States and United Kingdom, it’s hard to imagine that the Labrador Retriever was not crossbred from a very early age. Often, breeders who crossbreed animals will ensure that they’re of similar size, so the Labrador was likely crossbred with dogs of similar size, though exactly when remains a mystery.
Popular Labrador Retriever crosses include:
- Corgi Labrador Retriever Mix (Corgidor)
- Jack Russell Labrador Retriever Mix (Jackador)
- Labrador Retriever Poodle Mix (Labradoodle)
- Labrador Retriever Border Collie Mix (Borador)
How Important Is a Dog’s Temperament to Your Family?
A dog’s temperament can sometimes be a difficult thing to navigate. Much of their temperament is set by their lived experiences, living environment and their genetics, so you have to make sure that you’re getting a dog that is temperamentally a match for your family.
The last thing you want is to buy or adopt a dog only to have such trouble with training or to have the dog be unhappy that more trauma is inflicted upon you and the dog as it is rehomed or returned to the breeder.
What is the Temperament of the Black Mouth Cur Lab Mix?
The Black Mouth Cur Lab mix will be the perfect active companion for most owners. Their outgoing and energetic temperament will blend well with an outdoorsy family unit. When they’re not bounding around outside, Black Mouth Cur Lab mixes are typically the most loyal and lovable family pets, taking up their place on the couch!
Is The Black Mouth Cur Lab Mix Friendly?
In general, the Black Mouth Cur Lab mix is very friendly, owing much of that to their Labrador genes.
Is The Black Mouth Cur Lab Mix Easy to Train?
Given that both the Labrador and Black Mouth Cur have histories as utility dogs, they are likely to be rather easy to train.
How Much Can The Black Mouth Cur Lab Mix Weigh?
The average weight of the Black Mouth Cur Lab mix is between 35 and 80 pounds.
How Tall Can The Black Mouth Cur Lab Mix Get?
The average height of the Black Mouth Cur Lab mix is between 12 and 15 inches.
Similar Sized Breeds
This medium-sized dog has plenty of similar-sized breeds to draw comparison to. They include the Cocker Spaniel, the Shetland Sheepdog, English Bulldog and Basset Hound.
Does the Black Mouth Cur Lab Mix Shed?
Unfortunately yes! While the Black Mouth Cur Lab mix isn’t a year-round shedder, it can become a heavy shedder in the summer months, so ensure that you have your brush handy from May through September!
How Much Exercise Does A Black Mouth Cur Lab Mix Require?
The Black Mouth Cur Lab mix is a dog that often requires plenty of exercises. They’re an active breed from active parents. Expect to be walking your Black Mouth Cur Lab mix once a day for at least 45 minutes. On weekends, long hikes and/or off-leash dog parks are welcome!
How Long Can a Black Mouth Cur Lab Mix Live?
The average lifespan of a Black Mouth Cur Lab mix is between 12 and 16 years.
What Health Conditions Could the Black Mouth Cur Lab Mix Have?
- Cataracts (eye issues)
- Osteoarthritis (joint issues)
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (eye issues)
- Bloat (gastrointestinal problems)
- Centronuclear myopathy (muscular disorder)
How Can You Find a Black Mouth Cur and Labrador Retriever mix Puppy For Sale?
Finding a Black Mouth Cur Lab mix puppy might be a tall order in and of itself, never mind trying to find one for sale. However, from time to time, Black Mouth Cur Lab mixes do crop up in animal shelters and veterinary clinics when they’re put up for adoption. We highly recommend that you consider adopting, before you consider purchasing a Black Mouth Cur Lab mix.
Adoption can also be done online, by checking out https://www.petfinder.com/, where you can search your local area for breeds.
How Much Does a Black Mouth Cur Lab Mix Puppy Cost?
If you miss the adoption train, you might still consider purchasing a Black Mouth Cur Lab mix. The cost of one of these puppies may range between $300 and $500.
If you purchase a Black Mouth Cur Lab mix, we recommend you read and follow the AKC’s guidelines on finding and working with a reputable breeder.
Is the Black Mouth Cur Lab Mix the Right Breed For You?
The Black Mouth Cur Lab mix requires an active and energetic lifestyle and is far better suited to a large, open and active home. If you’ve been missing a hunting or hiking companion, but equally want an affectionate and loving dog, then consider adopting or purchasing a Black Mouth Cur and Labrador Retriever mix dog.