Treeing Tennessee Brindle: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

The treeing Tennessee brindle is a medium-sized dog native to the United States and known for their lanky, lean body, a tail that sticks straight up in the air, and a typically white chest and feet. This loyal, vocal, active, and intelligent working dog is mellow and easygoing at home.

Learn all about the treeing Tennessee brindle, from the breed’s history to its care needs and more.

Breed Overview

GROUP: Hound

HEIGHT: 16 to 24 inches

WEIGHT: 30 to 50 pounds

COAT: Soft and short

COAT COLOR: Brindle or black with brindle trim coloring

LIFE SPAN: 10 to 12 years

TEMPERAMENT: Intelligent, courageous, affectionate, sensitive

HYPOALLERGENIC: No

ORIGIN: United States

Characteristics of the Treeing Tennessee Brindle

Although the treeing Tennessee brindle is still predominantly used as a working dog for hunters, this is a playful and energetic pup that can make an excellent pet for active families.

This dog is bred specifically for tree hunting skills. The dog will track the scent of an animal and chase them up into a tree to make it easier for the hunter to access them.

The treeing Tennessee brindle has a loud, baying bark which is used to alert the hunter that they successfully found the quarry.

History of the Treeing Tennessee Brindle

While cur dogs have been around for hundreds of years, the treeing Tennessee brindle was only introduced in the 1960s.

The Rev. Earl Phillips wrote a column for a magazine about hunting dogs, which led to meeting owners of brindle cur dogs across the country that, like the Plott hound, were being commended for their hunting abilities. But these smaller brindle dogs specifically showed a particular aptitude for treeing (trapping an animal by forcing them to climb a tree).

This led to the formation of the Treeing Tennessee Brindle Breeders Association in 1967. A group of passionate brindle cur owners began to selectively breed these dogs to continue honing their treeing skills, color, and size.

The United Kennel Club recognized the treeing Tennessee brindle in 2017. It has been accepted for recording in the Foundation Stock Service for the American Kennel Club but has not yet been formally registered.

Treeing Tennessee Brindle Care

A treeing Tennessee brindle does need a decent amount of exercise to satisfy their built-in working drive and energy level. This dog is known for being extremely laid-back when in the home environment if they've been given enough exercise. Also, this dog is loyal to a fault and will enjoy curling up at the feet of their owner on the sofa.

Exercise

There are a variety of activities that you can enjoy with this breed, which is suitable for active households.

The treeing Tennessee brindle will suit a family that enjoys hiking and spending time in the great outdoors because the breed loves to be active.

This dog is also intelligent and eager to please and known for enjoying competitive dog sports like agility.

Of course, if you want to get involved in scent work trials, the treeing Tennessee brindle would make an excellent partner for this activity.

Grooming

The treeing Tennessee brindle has basic grooming needs, thanks to a short, easy-to-maintain coat that does not shed excessively. The dog will benefit from a good weekly brushing to lift out dead hair and keep the coat healthy.

If your treeing Tennessee brindle spends a lot of time in the great outdoors and gets dirty, a simple bath will get them fresh and clean again.

As with all dogs, take care of your dog's dental needs by frequently brushing their teeth to help avoid dental disease. Also, check and clean their ears whenever needed, and trim their nails on a regular basis.

Training

Like all dogs, the treeing Tennessee brindle will benefit from proper training and socialization starting in puppyhood. Use positive techniques and rewards, and be consistent and patient in your approach to get the best results.

This dog should be trained to stay on-leash and to come when called. Their high prey drive can make them dart off when they spot wildlife, so care should be taken to ensure this doesn’t happen.

The treeing Tennessee brindle is an expert vocalizer. The dog has been bred to alert a hunter that they've trapped their quarry. The dog's tendency to bay and howl can be common in the home environment too. You may need to work on rewarding quiet behavior to ensure this natural tendency doesn't get out of control.

Common Health Problems

The treeing Tennessee brindle, like many cur dogs, is known for being a hardy and healthy breed. Given that it's a relatively new breed, it is not known for having any particular inheritable health conditions. Good breeders will, however, perform checks and screenings on potential parents to detect any potential issues, such as:

• Patellar luxation: This condition causes the knee cap to slip out of place. It can lead to symptoms like keeping the leg bent at a strange angle, licking the knee, and limping.

• Hip dysplasia: This condition is characterized by an abnormal development of the hip joint. It causes pain, and can also result in limping, unusual gait, exercise intolerance, and other symptoms of discomfort.

Diet and Nutrition

Feed your treeing Tennessee brindle a high-quality canine diet, spread out over multiple meals throughout the day. Discuss the quantity with your veterinarian if you aren’t sure how much to feed your pet based on factors like their age, overall health, activity level, and current weight.

Treeing Tennessee brindles do tend to be rather food motivated. This can be great for training using positive reinforcement methods, but you have to watch out for over-feeding. Obesity is a major health problem in dogs. It can contribute to a host of serious conditions, but is something that can easily be prevented with a healthy and properly portion-controlled diet.

Always have fresh water available for your dog.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Treeing Tennessee Brindle

The treeing Tennessee brindle breed is still relatively rare. If you have your heart set on one, you might have to go onto a waiting list or travel farther to secure a puppy.

Don't let your enthusiasm make you overlook the importance of doing your research, though. It is important to find an ethical and reputable breeder that has raised the puppies in a nurturing home environment with mom by their side.

If you choose to work with a breeder, expect to pay between $800 to $1,500 for a treeing Tennessee brindle puppy.

If you are just attracted to a cur or coonhound breed, don't rule out the option of adoption. There are lots of dogs with similar traits to this breed, as well as treeing Tennessee brindle mixes, all looking for their forever homes in shelters and specialist rescue organizations.

Start your search for this breed with the following sources:

• Coonhound Rescue

• Treeing Tennessee Brindle Breeder's Association (Facebook)

Treeing Tennessee Brindle Overview

For the right individual or family, the treeing Tennessee brindle can be a wonderful and active companion. These dogs don’t have complicated grooming needs, but they require a good amount of exercise every day and also need to be trained properly because of their prey drive and tendency to be vocal.

Pros of Treeing Tennessee Brindles

• Ideal for active families who enjoy long hikes

• Calm indoors if given enough exercise

• Low-maintenance grooming regime

Cons of Treeing Tennessee Brindles

• Can be vocal

• Can have a high prey drive

• A relatively rare breed

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More Dog Breeds and Further Research

If you are interested in dogs similar to the treeing Tennessee brindle, you could also consider the following breeds:

• Plott Hound

• Treeing Walker Coonhound

• Bluetick Coonhound

There are lots of wonderful dog breeds out there. By doing your research, you will find one that will be best suited to having a forever home with you.