Black Mouth Cur Information & Dog Breed Facts
Collection of all the general dog breed info about Black Mouth Cur so you can get to know the breed more.
Group | Hunting Dogs |
---|---|
Popularity Rank | 324 |
Reviews | 6 |
User Ratings | |
Compare the Black Mouth Cur With Other Dogs
Select at least one dog breed to make the comparsion. | |
Origin | United States |
Other Names
What other names does the Black Mouth Cur have?
| American Black Mouth CurEast Texas CurYellow Black MouthSouthern Cur |
---|---|
Breed Type
What type of dog breed is it? | Purebred |
Size
Is a Black Mouth Cur small, medium or large dog?
How big do Black Mouth Cur get? What is the average size of a Black Mouth Cur? | LargeGiant |
---|---|
Weight
How much does the Black Mouth Cur weigh? How much should a Black Mouth Cur weight? What is the normal weight of a Black Mouth Cur? How much does a full-grown Black Mouth Cur weight? | 45-95 pounds (20-43 kg) |
Average Weight
What is the average weight of a Black Mouth Cur? | 70 pounds (31.5 kg) |
Height
How tall is the Black Mouth Cur? Black Mouth Cur height: | 16-25 inches (40-64 cm) |
Average Height
What is the average height of a Black Mouth Cur? | 20.5 inches (52 cm) |
Price
How much does the Black Mouth Cur puppy cost? What is the price range of this puppy? What is the average price of a Black Mouth Cur in the United States? How much money is a Black Mouth Cur?
Where to buy a Black Mouth Cur with a good pedigree? | $300-$500 If you choose to purchase the Black Mouth Cur, you should know that the mentioned amount of money is an average of the collected data from breeders’ sites and puppy finder places. If you have a Black Mouth Cur for sale, please advertise it on a reliable website to make sure the Black Mouth Cur gets to a happy place. |
---|---|
Availability
How easy is it to get a Black Mouth Cur? How many Black Mouth Cur are there in the world? | Average: The Black Mouth Cur is a commonly available dog breed. There is less risk of overbreeding compared to the very popular dogs. Of course, they may be more popular in some countries, and inbreeding may occur, so be careful. |
Intelligent Rank
How smart is the Black Mouth Cur? Is the Black Mouth Cur breed dumb or smart? | Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. They understand and remember new commands after an average of 25-40 repetitions.
The Black Mouth Cur ranks average in the intelligence ranking of dogs. |
---|---|
Trainability
Are Black Mouth Cur dogs easy to train? Do they go well on dog training? How hard is it to train a Black Mouth Cur? | Black Mouth Cur dogs are easy to train. They find out the association between commands and actions quite quickly. |
Watchdog Ability
Is Black Mouth Cur good as a watchdog? Are they alert at night? | Black Mouth Cur dogs are average watchdogs. If they sense something different, they will alert you, but observation isn't considered their main job.
|
Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Do Black Mouth Cur dogs have aggressive behavior to protect their home/house/territory? Do they have guarding instincts? | Black Mouth Cur dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. This breed doesn't hesitate to protect its territory so the Black Mouth Cur can be a good choice if you want an excellent guard dog. Keep calm and the Black Mouth Cur will take care of unwanted people or animals. |
Temperament
What kind of personality does the Black Mouth Cur have? What characteristics or traits does the breed have? | ActiveProtectiveLoyalKindTrainableFearless |
---|---|
Sensitivity Level
How sensitive are they? Black Mouth Cur sensitivity: | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. Soft punishment affects them emotionally. Black Mouth Cur dogs don't tolerate irregular daily routines, noisy households, and frequent guest visits really well.
They are receptive to their owner's emotions and make wonderful family companions. |
Affection Level
How affectionate are they? Is a Black Mouth Cur a good family dog? | High: Black Mouth Cur dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. They enjoy quality time with their owners despite the activity and are considered great therapy dogs for those in need. This breed responds strongly to their handler's emotions because they bond closely. Their happiness is your happiness. |
Social Needs
How much social interaction does the American Black Mouth Cur need? Black Mouth Cur social needs: | Black Mouth Cur dogs are a social breed. They enjoy being around people or other animals. This breed doesn't tolerate being left alone. |
Impulse to Wander or Roam
How likely is the Black Mouth Cur to run away? Does this breed explore or wander a lot? Does Black Mouth Cur roam? | The wanderlust potential of the Black Mouth Cur is strong enough to escape from home. They have a strong desire for exploring the world. Safer to walk them on a leash unless you teach them how to get back to you on command. |
Prey Drive
Do this canine have a strong prey drive? Does Black Mouth Cur have high prey drive? | Black Mouth Cur dogs have a high impulse to chase and catch something. Cats or any other small animals are in danger. It's a natural instinct, doesn't necessarily mean that Black Mouth Cur dogs are aggressive. Better to keep this breed on a leash. |
Playfulness
How playful is this breed? | The Black Mouth Cur is a highly playful breed. Excited barking and sometimes nipping will alert you to play. |
---|---|
Barking
Do Black Mouth Cur dogs bark a lot? Are they barkers/noisy? Why does my American Black Mouth Cur bark? | Average: The Black Mouth Cur barks occasionally. They can change their barks depending on their emotional level and what they're trying to say. Different barks could mean the same and the same barks could have different meanings.
Top reasons for barking: protection, alarm, fear, boredom, attention-seeking, greeting, separation anxiety, compulsive barking. |
Apartment Friendly
Is Black Mouth Cur good as an apartment dog? Can they live in a flat? Can you have a Black Mouth Cur in an apartment? | Not an apartment-friendly dog the Black Mouth Cur breed. If you don't have a garden, think carefully about your decision, keeping Black Mouth Cur indoors can cause a lot of problems. |
Adaptability
Are they adaptable and easy-going? | Average: Black Mouth Cur dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually. |
---|---|
Tolerates Being Left Alone
How long can a Black Mouth Cur be left alone? How long can you leave a Black Mouth Cur alone? | Black Mouth Cur dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work. |
Bite Force PSI
Does the Black Mouth Cur has a hard bite?
What is the bite force of a Black Mouth Cur?
How much bite force does a Black Mouth Cur have?
How strong is a Black Mouth Cur bite? | Above 400 PSI 🔼 Black Mouth Cur bite force: The Strongest. The Black Mouth Cur bite force is among the strongest in the canine world. The bite force Black Mouth Cur measurements are typically quite high, which is a testament to their powerful and large stature. The bite force of Black Mouth Cur dogs is impressive, and their Black Mouth Cur bite PSI is reflective of their powerful nature.
The Black Mouth Cur PSI bite should be respected, and appropriate precautions should be taken when interacting with these dogs. The PSI of a Black Mouth Cur bite is high, making them one of the strongest breeds in terms of bite force. They are very protective of themselves and their families, therefore a dog bite from them could be exceptionally dangerous with their PSI being above 400. To ensure a well-behaved and controlled dog, it's important to learn how to train a Black Mouth Cur puppy not to bite from an early age. It is important that they’re trained to be around others safely. |
---|---|
Biting Potential
Do Black Mouth Cur bite humans? How likely are you to get bitten from the American Black Mouth Cur? What are the odds of getting bitten by a Black Mouth Cur? Why do dog bites happen?
| Low 🔽 The Black Mouth Cur has a low chance of biting somebody. Top reasons for dog bite: protection, pain, excitement, herding instinct, being provoked. (Data based on the available online bite statistics.) |
Mouthiness
How much mouthing/nipping/play biting does the Black Mouth Cur do?
| Black Mouth Cur dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. It's a common habit during puppyhood, not aggressive behavior. These "bites" don't hurt, but Black Mouth Cur dogs need to be taught a good attitude. |
Health Issues
Is it a healthy or unhealthy breed? Do Black Mouth Cur dogs have health problems or genetic diseases? | Black Mouth Curs tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds. Regular vet check-ups are needed.
|
---|---|
Health Problems
What genetic/health problems does the Black Mouth Cur breed have? What are the health issues and concerns of the Black Mouth Cur breed? Most common health risks of Black Mouth Cur: | Ear Infections |
Veterinarian Visits
How often does the Black Mouth Cur breed need to go to the vet? How often should you take your dog to the vet? How often should the Black Mouth Cur see the vet?
| Frequent The Black Mouth Cur should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year. If your dog shows any symptoms, call your veterinarian. |
Life Expectancy
How long do Black Mouth Cur dogs live? How old can a Black Mouth Cur be? What is the age limit of the Black Mouth Cur? How many years can the oldest Black Mouth Cur live?
What is the average life expectancy / lifespan of a Black Mouth Cur? How long is the lifespan of a Black Mouth Cur? | 12-18 years The average lifespan of Black Mouth Cur: 15 years |
Weather and Climate
Which weather condition is preferred by this dog? Can they tolerate hot or cold weather and climate? | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. Dogs with a double coat of fur have a layer of fur that insulates their skin and helps protect them from the cold and the heat. |
Energy Level
How much energy does the Black Mouth Cur have? What is the activity level of the Black Mouth Cur?
| Black Mouth Cur dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. If you want a dog for snuggling on the couch, this breed isn't the perfect choice for you. |
---|---|
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
How much exercise does a Black Mouth Cur need? How much exercise do Black Mouth Cur dogs require per day?
Do Black Mouth Cur dogs need a lot of exercises? | Black Mouth Cur dogs need a lot of exercises. Long walks should be on a daily schedule. If you live an active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. |
Sleeping Need
How much sleep does the Black Mouth Cur breed need? | Black Mouth Cur dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping. If you live an active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. |
Average daily food consumption
How much food does a Black Mouth Cur need? What dog products should I buy? How much food does a Black Mouth Cur breed eat per day? What is good dog food for Black Mouth Cur? How much food should I feed my Black Mouth Cur? | 2.5 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
---|---|
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity
How easy to gain weight for this dog? Black Mouth Cur risk for obesity: | Low to Average: The Black Mouth Cur has a low to the average risk for obesity. To make your dog happy and fit, feed him with quality dry dog food and live an active life together. Try to find the happy medium between exercise and feeding.
If you notice any weight gain, consult your veterinarian and make a diet plan. Reduce unhealthy food and snacks, and measure the Black Mouth Cur weight regularly. |
Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat does the Black Mouth Cur have? What does this canine coat/fur look like? | Smooth |
---|---|
Colors
What color is the breed's coat? What color are proper Black Mouth Cur coats? | Black Red BrownFawnYellow Brindle |
Grooming
How to groom the Black Mouth Cur and how often? How often should I take my Black Mouth Cur to the groomer? | Easy to groom: The Black Mouth Cur doesn't require a lot of grooming. Seasonal flea treatment is needed, but cutting the dog's hair by a professional groomer isn't necessary. Ears and eyes should be cleaned regularly to avoid infections. Black Mouth Cur is a good choice if you don't have the time, skill, or money to take care of a high-maintenance dog. Recommended for beginners. |
Shedding Level
How much do Black Mouth Cur dogs shed? How to control, reduce and prevent the shedding of the American Black Mouth Cur? Do Black Mouth Cur dogs shed a lot? | Black Mouth Cur dogs are low shedders. It's a natural process of the hair growth cycle. The amount and frequency of hair loss mostly depend on their health status and breed type. |
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
How often does the Black Mouth Cur need a bath? How often should you give a Black Mouth Cur a bath? Can I bathe my Black Mouth Cur every day?
| 4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. According to a study, 56% of pet parents don’t bathe their dogs as frequently as they should, and 60% use the sniff test when deciding when it’s bath time.
Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. It’s also a good time to look for unusual scratches, bumps, fleas, and other irregularities. When their hair is wet and flat against their body, these details are more visible. |
Hypoallergenic
Is the Black Mouth Cur breed hypoallergenic? | No Black Mouth Cur dogs don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing allergic reactions. Some dog breeds are even considered to higher possibility of an allergic response. Coat type isn't necessarily relevant, because most people are allergic to dander (flakes on the dog's skin) or saliva, not actually to dog hair. |
Stinkiness
How stinky is this dog? Why does it smell bad and how to get rid of the smell?
| Medium ⏺ The Black Mouth Cur has an average chance of bad smell. Top reasons for dog stinkiness: infection of bad tooth/ear/skin folds, gas attacks. |
Drooling Tendency
Does the Black Mouth Cur drool? | The Black Mouth Cur is a perfect example of a low drooling tendency. If you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, the Black Mouth Cur could be a good choice for you. Drooling is the unintentional saliva flowing outside of the mouth. It can be completely normal or a sign of a health problem. Certain dog breeds drool less than others, just like the Black Mouth Cur.
If you notice any change in your dog's drooling habit, you should contact a vet as soon as possible. |
Pet Friendly
Are they pet-friendly dogs? How well do Black Mouth Cur dogs get along with other pets? Are Black Mouth Cur dogs good with pets? What is this canine temperament with other pets? | Black Mouth Cur dogs usually don’t get on well with other pets. |
---|---|
Stranger Friendly
Are they aggressive or friendly towards/with strangers? Black Mouth Cur temperament with other people: | Black Mouth Cur dogs are average friendly towards strangers. |
Child Friendly
Are Black Mouth Cur dogs kid-friendly? Are they good with young children? Black Mouth Cur temperament with children: | Black Mouth Cur dogs are average friendly dogs towards children. |
Cat Friendly
How well do Black Mouth Cur dogs get along with cats? Are they good with kittens? What is this fido's temperament with cats? Can they be good with cats? Can the Black Mouth Cur breed live with a cat? | Black Mouth Cur dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs. |
Dog Friendly
Is Black Mouth Cur good with other dogs? Are they dog-friendly dogs? How well do Black Mouth Cur dogs get along with other dogs? | Black Mouth Cur dogs are average friendly towards other dogs. |
Good For First Time Owners
Is Black Mouth Cur breed good for first-time owners? Do they make a good dog for novice owners? Is Black Mouth Cur breed suitable for first-time owners? | Yes Black Mouth Cur dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Office Friendly
Are Black Mouth Cur dogs good office canines? Do Black Mouth Cur dogs make good office-friendly pets? Can they be office dogs? | No Black Mouth Cur is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
Senior Citizens Friendly
Are they senior citizens friendly dogs? How well do Black Mouth Cur dogs get along with the elderly people? What is the American Black Mouth Cur temperament with senior people? Are Black Mouth Cur dogs good for elderly owners? | Black Mouth Curs are commonly okay with elderly people. |
Service Dog
Are they good as service dogs? Can Black Mouth Cur be a guide dog? Are they used as seeing-eye dogs? | Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. A service dog is a term used in the USA to refer to any type of assistance dog specifically trained to help people who have disabilities, such as visual impairment, hearing impairments, mental disorders, seizures, mobility impairment, and diabetes. Service dogs are protected under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
Black Mouth Cur is not the best breed for service purposes. |
---|---|
Therapy Dog
Are they good as therapy dogs? Can Black Mouth Cur be a therapy dog? Are they good anxiety dogs? Can a Black Mouth Cur be an emotional support animal? | Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. A therapy dog is a dog that might be trained to provide affection, comfort, and love to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and people with anxiety disorders or autism.
Black Mouth Cur is not the best breed for therapeutic purposes. |
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog
Are they good as detection dogs? Can Black Mouth Cur be a sniffer dog? | Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.
Black Mouth Cur is not the best breed for detection purposes. |
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)
Are they good as SAR dogs? Can Black Mouth Cur be a search and rescue dog? | Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and locating missing people.
The Black Mouth Cur is not the best breed for SAR purposes. |
Boat and Sailor Dog
Are they good as boat dogs? Can Black Mouth Cur be a boat dog? | Not really Black Mouth Cur breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. Boat dogs were typically bred for their strength, stamina, and water resistance, as they were often required to perform tasks such as pulling in fishing nets, and jumping into the water to retrieve ropes or lines, or helping to move cargo. Sailor dog is a type of dog that was bred to accompany sailors on their voyages. They were typically used for three purposes: as a working dog, a watchdog, and as a companion. A boat dog is a term used to describe a type of dog that was traditionally bred and used as a working dog on boats. |
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog
Are they good as cart pulling dogs? Can Black Mouth Cur be a drafting dog? | Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. Dogs bred for this work have strong builds and qualities that are needed, strength and determination.
Black Mouth Cur is not the best breed for drafting purposes. |
Fighting Dog / Military Dog
Where Black Mouth Cur dogs used as fighting / military dogs in history? | Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Gestation Length
How long is a Black Mouth Cur pregnant?How long does it take to have puppies? How to tell if the Black Mouth Cur breed is pregnant? | 60-64 days Reproductive cycle of the female Black Mouth Cur: The first period called Proestrus lasts for about 9 days.
During this time the females start to attract males. You can notice by swelling vulva and bloody discharge. The second part is the Estrus when the female is receptive for the male. It lasts for about 3 to 11 days. The sign of the proestrus part is the soft and enlarged vulva. The discharge decreases and lightens in color. The third part is the Diestrus. Normally, it occurs around day 14. In this period the female’s discharge changes for vivid red and coming to its end. The vulva returns to average, and she will no longer permit mating. The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time frame between heat periods normally lasts about six months. |
---|---|
Litter Frequency | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. It is very important not to buy a dog from a puppy mill, where the needs of the pups and their mothers are ignored. It's an inhumane high-volume dog breeding facility, where puppies born several times a year. |
Litter Size
How many puppies can the Black Mouth Cur have in a litter?
How many puppies can the Black Mouth Cur breed have for the first time?
How many puppies does a Black Mouth Cur have?
How many puppies can a Black Mouth Cur give birth to? | 5-10 puppies |
AKC Group
Is Black Mouth Cur recognized by the American Kennel Club? | Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. |
---|---|
FCI Group
Is Black Mouth Cur recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)? | Not recognized by FCI. |
Breed Recognition
What kennel clubs and organizations recognize or register the Black Mouth Cur breed? | American Canine RegistryAmerica's Pet RegistryDog Registry of America Inc.American Canine Association, Inc.Continental Kennel ClubNational Kennel ClubUnited Kennel Club |
Black Mouth Cur Pros and Cons
- Trainability: Black Mouth Cur dogs are easy to train.
- Grooming: Easy to groom: The Black Mouth Cur doesn't require a lot of grooming.
- Shedding Level: Black Mouth Cur dogs are low shedders.
- Drooling Tendency: The Black Mouth Cur is a perfect example of a low drooling tendency.
- Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity: Low to Average: The Black Mouth Cur has a low to the average risk for obesity.
- Good For First Time Owners: Black Mouth Cur dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
- Health Issues: Black Mouth Curs tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.
- Hypoallergenic: Black Mouth Cur dogs don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing allergic reactions.
- Apartment Friendly: Not an apartment-friendly dog the Black Mouth Cur breed.
- Impulse to Wander or Roam: The wanderlust potential of the Black Mouth Cur is strong enough to escape from home.
- Tolerates Being Left Alone: Black Mouth Cur dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.
- Cat Friendly: Black Mouth Cur dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs.
- Office Friendly: Black Mouth Cur is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Black Mouth Cur History
The Black Mount Cur’s exact ancestry is mostly unknown, due to the lack of documentation and records. However, it is widely accepted that the breed is originated from multiple ancient Asian and European cur-type of dogs and form several hunting and herding breeds. Another theory suggests that the English Mastiffs brought to America during the early Mayflower voyage to Plymouth in 1621, played a huge role in the Black Mount Cur’s origins.
Initially, the early settlers started to breed the cur-type breeds, in order to develop hunting companions and protecting dogs for the livestock and property. It is widely accepted, that the Black Mount Cur was created in the southern region of the United States of America, presumably in Tennessee or Mississippi, during the 19th century, by settlers from Europe. The early breeders’ intention was to develop an all-around farm and ranch dog, a multi-purpose helper for their human owners. The Black Mouth Cur had a significant contribution to the settling process of the American frontier. Moreover, some people claim that the westward expansion by the European settlers would have not happened without this breed. Because of the lack of documentation from that era, it is difficult to highlight one breeder who contributed to the breed, yet some records write about the Ladner family from southern Mississippi. It is thought that the Ladners have bred the Black Mouth Cur for over 100 years, so consequently, they might be the most well-recognized breeders of all.
For the reason that there are many different Cur-type of breeds, with several different physical appearances, it was difficult to tell them apart and figure out which is a purebred variant, and it was also difficult to establish a breed standard. This is why the Black Mouth Cur is not recognized by the majority of the kennel clubs. However, the UKC (United Kennel Club) registered the breed in 1998, and since then multiple dog shows have allowed the Black Mouth Cur to participate and to compete in the rings. The most popular Black Mouth Cur is the titular dog in the novel called Old Yeller. Despite the fact that the Black Mouth Cur breed name is not specifically mentioned in the novel, the physical and behavioral description of the specimen strongly implies that the Old Yeller, the protagonist of the novel is in fact a Black Mouth Cur.
Nowadays, there are several different Black Mouth Cur lineages throughout the United States, such as the Alabama Black Cur, which is considered to be more of a hunting and guarding type, and there is the Texas Black Mouth Cur, which is referred to as the cattle-herding type. Usually, the modern Black Mouth Cur is kept as a family companion, yet in the dogs’ native States, farmers and ranchers are still using them as all-around helpers.
Latest Black Mouth Cur Compares
Black Mouth Cur Names
How old is my Black Mouth Cur in human years?
You May Also Like
Rate The Black Mouth Cur Breed
Black Mouth Cur Comments, Reviews and Questions
- dog fan
Jun 11, 2024, 12:22:09 AM:
tom cruise their bite force is weak its just that no one knows this dog bread
- Tom Cruise
Aug 19, 2023, 8:52:12 PM:
Dog you are right we tested this out. A bite force test between a German Shepard a bmc and Rottweiler.
- Black mouth cur
Aug 18, 2023, 7:00:34 PM:
High energy amazing with kids protective of are family and yard. I love it
- Dog
Aug 18, 2023, 6:23:11 PM:
Super sweet, smart, strong and fearless. It surprised me when I saw it's bite force 400 to 700 absolutely insane way more than a pittbull and rottweiler and German shepherd that have a bite force of about 200 to 400.
- Black Mouth Cur
Dec 29, 2020, 11:46:29 PM:
We have a 6 month BMC: intelligent and very sweet - active outdoors but chills indoors. Obedient, though she has a stubborn side. Also super sensitive, so be gentle! Overall a beautiful, strong, smart, and loving dog.
- Black mouth Cur
Oct 17, 2020, 2:23:54 PM:
I just got a black mouth cur best dog so sweet easy to train and is great with babies.