Treeing Tennessee Brindle Breed Facts & Personality

The Treeing Tennessee Brindle is a rare breed beloved for being eager to please, intelligent, easygoing, courageous, and lovable. The Treeing Tennessee Brindle (TTB) is unique from their coat pattern to their personality. It is so unique that most people are unaware of this beautiful breed. But those who come across them and are lucky enough to have them as companions may find that this is the only breed for them.

The Treeing Tennessee Brindle is thought to be hundreds of years old from areas like the Appalachian Mountains and the Ozark Mountains. The breed gained popularity after Reverend Earl C. Phillips wrote about the brindle Cur dogs for a national hunting magazine in the early 1960s.

The term “treeing” refers to a hunting technique where the dog chases game and bays (aka cries loudly) while at the base of a tree to alert their human of what they’ve found.

In addition to being natural hunters, TTBs also make excellent family dogs. Because they’re working dogs, they require lots of socialization early on in life and continuous physical exercise and enrichment for their overall health and well-being. Finding a TTB available for purchase or adoption can be difficult since the breed is rarer.

Treeing Tennessee Brindle Appearance

Because the Treeing Tennessee Brindle is so rare, they can often be mistaken for other breeds. Ronnie Snedegar, a Treeing Tennessee Brindle Breeder’s Association member and pet parent to prize-winning TTBs, says purebred TTBs have the following physical characteristics.

• Blocky, flat head
• High-set, medium ears
• Heavy muzzle
• Wide-set eyes
• Short-medium coat
• Medium tail
• Straight, muscular legs

Treeing Tennessee Brindles are often seen in two colors: light brown (aka buckskin) brindle or black with a brindle trim. Purebred TTBs also have minimal, if any, white markings on their chest and feet. (The perfect camouflage for when they’re in the woods!)

Snedegar adds there isn’t much of a difference between the appearance of an adult and senior TTB aside from their gray muzzle since they retain their build.

The TTB is hard to identify due to looking similar to other breeds, such as the Plott Hound, Feists, and Curs. Some may confuse other breeds as TTBs simply due to their brindle coat.

Treeing Tennessee Brindle History

The Treeing Tennessee Brindle Breeder’s Association (TTBBA) was formed in March 1967; TTBs had been a favorite among hunters for their good voice, scenting power, and desire to hunt.

Following the formation of TTBBA, a breed standard for the TTB was set. The first dog registered with the TTBBA was “Buck Creek Mountain Linnie” on Jan. 28, 1969.

For as long as the Treeing Tennessee has been around, they’ve been known as a highly intelligent, companionable, and skilled dog. This still holds true today.

The TTB is a newer breed compared to others and is still quite rare to most people. The Treeing Tennessee Brindle is not yet AKC-recognized, but they are highly sought after and esteemed within the hunting community and anyone who happens a brilliant rescue or shelter.

Treeing Tennessee Brindle Personality & Lifestyle

Treeing Tennessee Brindles are the epitome of “man’s best friend.” There’s so much to love about this breed, from their easygoing and tenable personality to their devotion to their family and work.

Russell Hartstein, CDBC, CPDT-KA, and founder of Fun Paw Care, says that “all dogs, regardless of breed, do well with people and dogs in many degrees depending on their early socialization during their sensitive periods and their continued training and behavior work throughout their life. TTB is no different.”

Because the TTB is a working dog, their perfect match-pet parent will share the same enthusiasm for an active, outdoor lifestyle to meet their dog’s needs and enrichment. “A working dog wouldn’t be fulfilled walking around the same neighborhood or ten blocks a few times a day,” Hartstein says.

If a prospective parent does a lot of research, has a certified trainer and behaviorist ready to help, and understands the needs of a working dog, Hartstein says the TTB can be OK for a first-time parent (though this is often not the case with high-maintenance, rare dogs).

Overall, TTBs were bred for hunting and undoubtedly make excellent hunting partners. When not on the trail, the TTB isn’t very noisy but is highly aware of their surroundings. Outside of hunting, they enjoy other activities, such as hiking, camping, backpacking, running, distance walking, or going out on adventures with you.

Treeing Tennessee Brindle Training

The Treeing Tennessee Brindle’s treeing instincts occur inherently and develop at different ages, affecting their training schedule.

“Instincts can sometimes become more honed, precise, and stronger with practice or become just the opposite when not practiced,” Hartstein says. “However, genetic breed traits typically do not disappear, as that is what a dog is bred for.”

A Treeing Tennessee Brindle’s training needs, he adds, are no different than any other working dog. They need to have jobs, be trained daily, and be active mentally, physically, and emotionally to be fulfilled. This makes activities like nose work, reactive dog classes, and agility training especially beneficial to a breed like the TTB. Since this breed has specific training needs, hiring a trusted dog trainer is often recommended.

“It’s important to teach children how to respond around pets, and it’s also important to teach the pets how to respond around people and other pets,” Hartstein says. “That may involve counterconditioning and desensitization with a heavy emphasis on socialization and obedience training.”

Treeing Tennessee Brindle Grooming

The Treeing Tennessee Brindle has a short, smooth, and low shedding coat. They can easily be groomed at home with basic maintenance of brushing once a week, nail trims every 4-6 weeks, and regular teeth brushing.

Treeing Tennessee Brindle Health

“In general, TTBs are a healthy, active breed with a few specific health issues that require attention, like most dog breeds,” says Dr. Michael Thompson, DVM, founder and leading veterinarian of Pets Food Safety.

Dr. Thompson and Dr. Sabrina Kong, DVM, a veterinary consultant at We Love Doodles, say the most common conditions TTBs have include the following.

• Hip dysplasia. This is a common joint condition where the hip socket doesn’t fully cover the ball portion of the thigh bone and can lead to lameness and arthritis if left untreated, Dr. Thompson says.
• Gene-related eye conditions. Dr. Kong says a TTB’s keen eyes might be susceptible to conditions like cataracts, meaning regular check-ups are essential.
• Hypothyroidism. This genetic condition occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones and can lead to weight gain, lethargy, and skin problems. Diagnosis and treatment often involve blood tests and hormone supplementation.
• Allergies. Dr. Thompson says TTBs are prone to allergies, which can manifest as skin irritations, itching, and even respiratory issues. Various factors like food, medications, environmental factors, or parasites can cause allergies.
• Minor skin irritations. TTBs may be prone to minor skin irritations, like rashes or hot spots, due to allergies, parasites, or environmental factors. Treatment cost varies depending on whether medication, topical creams, or changes in grooming practices are needed.
• Ear infections. A TTB’s floppy ears make them candidates for ear infections, but Dr. Kong says regular cleaning can keep them at bay.
• Obesity. “TTBs have an active nature, but if they don’t receive enough exercise or are overfed, they can become obese,” Dr. Thompson says. “Obesity can lead to various health problems, including joint issues, diabetes, and heart disease.”

Many of these conditions are costly. That’ ‘s why it’s important for TTB pet parents to be prepared for potential veterinary expenses — pet insurance is always a great idea!

To lower the risk of these health issues, Dr. Thompson recommends regular vet check-ups, vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, and dental care. Additionally, TTBs require proper exercise and diet to maintain optimal health.

Treeing Tennessee Brindle Diet

TTBs require a higher protein intake compared to other breeds due to their history as working dogs.

“A protein-rich diet fulfills their high-energy needs and helps maintain a healthy muscle mass,” Dr. Thompson says. “They also tend to have a faster metabolism than other dog breeds, requiring a higher caloric intake.” He recommends a balanced diet tailored to their specific needs for their overall well-being.

12 Alternative Dog Breeds to Consider

A first-time TTB pet parent’s lifestyle should align with their dog’s needs to ensure they’re getting enough exercise and enrichment. Otherwise, this could lead to a bored dog with destructive behaviors.

If you’re looking for a similar breed that’s lower energy or less demanding, or you simply like the TTB’s brindle coat, consider these dog breeds.

• Plott Hound
• Treeing Walker Coonhound
• Bluetick Coonhound
• Black and Tan Coonhound
• Redbone Coonhound
• Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound
• Whippet
• Dutch Shepherd
• Great Dane
• French Bulldog
• English Mastiff
• Boxer

Where to Find Treeing Tennessee Brindles

The ideal pet parent for the Treeing Tennessee Brindle is someone who has tons of energy and time to provide them with plenty of opportunities for physical exercise and various forms of enrichment. While this breed loves to hunt, they’re also great adventure dogs who’ll be up for anything that involves spending time outside with their favorite person. This makes activities like car rides, agility training, and day trips perfect for the TTB.

If you’re interested in purchasing a purebred Treeing Tennessee Brindle, contact the Treeing Tennessee Brindle Breeder’s Association on Facebook.

If you’d rather adopt a TTB, it’s always a good idea to check your local shelter or humane society to see if any are available for adoption. You can also try the Coonhound Rescue.