Cursset

While the exact history of the Cursset hybrid breed is unknown, it is still important to be able to review the parent breeds – the Black Mouth Cur and the Basset Hound. Originally, the Black Mouth Cur was used as a working dog and adopted several names throughout the years: farmer’s dog, shepherd’s hound, cow dog, and  herdsman’s dog. The breed’s original purpose consisted of herding, guarding, hunting, and providing companionship to the family. The Black Mouth Cur was known as an excellent worker by gathering livestock by circling them. This intelligent breed would also harass a defiant animal by chasing it back to its owner. When animals flocked the herd, the dog would continue to bark to bring help and used a bay to vocalize his intent. Basset Hounds were descendants of the St. Hubert’s Hound, similar to the Bloodhound. The breed is traced back to the Friars of St. Hubert’s Abbey in medieval France who desired a short legged breed that was efficient at following scents in thick forests. The Basset Hound was bred to trail game such as rabbits and hare. The word “Basset” can be traced back to Fouilloux, who had written an illustrated hunting text. The early Basset Hound strongly resembled the Basset Artesien Normand, who was lighter in weight and the body was twice as long as it was high. It is commonly believed that Marquis de Lafayette imported the breed to the United States to gift to George Washington. In 1885, the American Kennel Club officially recognized the Basset Hound. In 1935, the Basset Hound Club of America was organized  the United States. In 1964, the breed standard was adopted.