Quick Facts
- Weight: 35 to 50 pounds
- Height: 16 to 24 inches
The Look of a Treeing Tennessee Brindle
One of the purposes of creating the Treeing Tennessee Brindle was to breed a dog that was smaller than the Plott but had similar hunting skills. They have a brindle coat, but can also have a black coat with brindle trim, though that is unusual. The chest and feet can be white and they can have dewclaws.
The Treeing Tennessee Brindle is a lanky dog with lean muscles and slightly loose skin and a straight tail. The eyes are wide-set, with an alert and intelligent expression. The distinctive brindle coat makes them stand out in a crowd.
Traits
- Distinctive brindle coat
- Ability to tree prey
- Excellent scenting skills
- Laid-back, friendly personality
- Excellence as a companion dog
Ideal Human Companion
- Singles, couples, or families
- Experienced dog owners
- Hunters
- Suburban or country dwellers
- Those who enjoy a dog baying at the moon
What They Are Like to Live With
If you’re looking for a dog that is courageous, intelligent, and makes an excellent companion, the Treeing Tennessee Brindle could be for you. He is an affectionate and laid-back dog who is good around children.
They make enjoyable living companions who love their families and prefer to be around everyone (though they will likely just be lying at someone’s feet).
Although the Treeing Tennessee Brindle may seem almost lethargic in the house, it needs a moderate amount of exercise to stay healthy. They love being outdoors, so activities such as camping and hiking will create a strong bond between you and help keep your dog happy.
Grooming is just a quick brush and occasional bath. Since they spend a lot of time outdoors, check regularly for ticks and fleas.
Things You Should Know
Baying and treeing, two of the most important qualities of the Treeing Tennessee Brindle when hunting, can actually be detriments when they are kept as companion dogs. Your Treeing Tennessee Brindle may bay, or howl, when you’re gone, or take to chasing the family cat up the tree in the yard. Obedience training and a strong alpha will help with these issues.
There are no recorded health issues for the Treeing Tennessee Brindle, though they may suffer from hip dysplasia or bloat.
History
The Treeing Tennessee Brindle is a recent breed. It has been in the AKC’s Foundation Flock Service since 1995. It descends from many different Curs, or mongrels, from the Appalachian Mountains.
The Rev. Earl Phillips gathered information about brindle treeing dogs (or Curs), including the Old Brindle Cur dog, in his area of Tennessee in the early 1960s. He chose intelligent examples with excellent scent-tracking skills. The dogs also had to be good at hunting, open trailers, have strong voices, and excel at treeing prey. In the late 1960s, this information was concluded and the breeding of the Treeing Tennessee Brindle began.
The Treeing Tennessee Brindle Breeders Association keeps up the standards of the breed and is a detailed source of information.
