Treeing Tennessee Brindle

The Treeing Tennessee Brindle is smaller than other coonhound breeds. It is especially noted for its open-trail style and versatility. A scent hound like the other trailing "coonhounds"�, this dog was bred to trail for miles over any terrain. This was formerly known as the "Old Brindle Cur Hound"�. As can that of any coonhound-type breed, the Treeing Tennessee Brindle's loud bark and howling bay can be heard for a long distance, and owners are usually able to recognize the sound of their own dog's "voice"� amongst the others during the hunt. Dogs are generally leashed until they can locate the scent, and then are released to track the prey to the tree, where they are expected to hold the raccoon until hunters arrive, sometimes for hours. In "night trials"� competitions, dogs are given points for each phase of the process. The Treeing Tennessee Brindle has a muscular, lean build. It averages 16 to 24 inches in height at the shoulder, depending upon the sex of the individual, and weighs 30 to 45 pounds. The coat is short to medium length, dense and rather coarse, but glossy in appearance. The coat color is a fine dark brindle, and it may or may not have subtle white markings on chest and feet. This dog has kind, expressive "hound eyes"�, and pendulous drop ears that are not as long as those of other coonhound types.The coonhound originated in Louisiana, where French settlers kept a hound native to southwest France that was used to hunt large game, the Grand Bleu de Gascogne also known as French Staghound. This dog was an excellent cold-nosed scent hound that worked slowly, diligently and determinedly. American hunters crossed the Grand Bleu de Gascogne with English and American foxhounds, hoping to create a breed that was more hot-nosed, could work faster, and was more suited to American terrain and to the coon hunting style that had become popular. The resulting dog was hot-nosed, and covered the trail much more quickly. It initially became known as the English Fox and Coonhound. These dogs laid the foundation for the brindle cur hounds that came to be known throughout the southern states. "Cur"� is simply a word for "mongrel"�, and in the case of the Brindle Cur, it referred to a dog that was an excellent trailing and treeing scent hound, as were all of the coonhounds, and had the blood of other scent hounds mixed in also. In the early 1960's a man by the name of Reverend Earl Phillips did research on the Brindle Cur Hound in order to write an article for a hunting magazine. During the course of his research he became more and more fascinated with the type. Eventually he contacted many of the people across the South to whom he had spoken during his initial research, and suggested the formation of a breed club and the establishment of a breed standard. In 1967 under Rev. Phillip's leadership, the Treeing Tennessee Brindle Breeders Association was formed. This breed has been included in the American Kennel Club's Foundation Stock Service since 1995. The Treeing Tennessee Brindle is not a breed to live successfully in a small space; this dog needs to keep physically and mentally occupied. Without a regular outlet for its mental energy it can become high-strung and destructive. Boredom can result in fence-climbing and digging up the yard. The Treeing Tennessee Brindle generally does best with the company of another dog. This breed, when not confined, should be kept leashed unless it is being used to hunt; its prey drive is extremely high and it will give chase to smaller non-canine animals such as cats, other pets, and other small animals which cross its path. The coonhound is said no have little to no road sense: its mind will be solely on the prey when it crosses that busy street! Leash training needs to start early, since its strong nose predisposes it to pull excessively while on leash, and daily walks are absolutely essential. These walks should be brisk and cover a fair distance.The Treeing Tennessee Brindle is always behind its own nose: garbage, food, anything with an odor will be irresistible. Owners must be ever vigilant to keep this dog out of mischief. The Treeing Tennessee Brindle is very vocal and is naturally given to communicating with its "voice"� which involves not only barking but howling, baying and yodeling to communicate its point of view. For this reason, this breed needs to live where there are not neighbors nearby. Given plenty of space, exercise and mental stimulation, the Treeing Tennessee Brindle is an exceptional family dog. This dog will almost never bite, even when provoked it is statistically the least likely breed to inflict a bite on a human! Although it is a useful watchdog that will always announce a visitor, it will not attack or bite an intruder. The Treeing Tennessee Brindle is known to be excellent with even very young children. Because of its bred-in instincts the Treeing Tennessee Brindle is an independent problem solver, and is naturally highly intelligent. Training may initially be challenging as the dog second-guesses the owner; but an owner who can establish a benevolent leadership position early in the relationship will find that this breed is a joy to train, and is ever-after devotedly obedient. The Treeing Tennessee Brindle is people-oriented almost to a fault. It will need frequent affection and assurance. This dog will be closely tuned in to family activities and will want to be included. But it settles into the life of an active family like a glove, ever-devoted, ever-loyal, kind, calm and sweet-natured. For the owner with a little land, time to put into initial training, and a family that is outdoors-oriented, the Treeing Tennessee Brindle can be an excellent companion. Aside from using this breed for hunting, owners of the Treeing Tennessee Brindle may enjoy participating in tracking competitions or search and rescue training with their dog.

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