Finding the right dog can be a process. You want to be sure that you select the right dog for your needs and lifestyle. Finding a compatible breed is just as important for your future dog as it is for you since each breed needs different things to stay happy and healthy.
Treeing Tennessee Brindles are a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a combination hunting and family dog. They’re smaller as far as hunting dogs go, which makes them a great choice if you don’t have a big home. They’re well known for their ability to easily tree many different types of prey.
Keep reading to learn more about this versatile breed and determine if a Treeing Tennessee Brindle is the right breed for your family.
What Is a Treeing Tennessee Brindle?
A Treeing Tennessee Brindle is a breed of dog that originated in the Appalachian Mountain area, most notably the Ozarks. They’re related to the Old Brindle Cur and are similar to Platts. As their name would suggest, they’re hunting dogs that do well with treeing their prey.
When cared for properly, these dogs are muscular, energetic, and extremely loving to their family. They make great pets all around, especially for hunters. Because of their prey drive, it’s important to keep them leashed when out and about.
All dog breeds have their own general characteristics and Treeing Tennessee Brindles are no exception.
While some individual dogs may be different, these are the accepted breed characteristics:
| Lifespan | 10 to 12 years |
| Weight | 30 to 50 pounds |
| Height | 16 to 24 inches at the shoulder |
| Suitable for | Hunters, families, children |
| Grooming requirements | Once a week brushing and baths as needed |
| Health concerns | They’re an extremely healthy breed, but sometimes prone to skeletal conditions |
| Temperament | Energetic, loving, loyal, strong prey drive |
These dogs can also come in different colors, though they’re almost always a brindle pattern.
Their coat colors include the following:
- Brown brindle
- Black brindle
- Fawn brindle
If you’re looking for a great hunting dog that doubles as a loving family pet, this breed definitely won’t let you down. You get the best of both worlds with a Treeing Tennessee Brindle.
For more information on brindle dogs, stop by our Best Brindle Dog Breeds guide!
Characteristics of a Treeing Tennessee Brindle
Knowing any breed breaks down into several different categories. Each one should match your lifestyle and be easy for you to meet or handle.
These areas are:
- Temperament
- Training
- Energy levels
- Grooming and shedding
- Suitability around children
- Lifespan and health concerns
Every breed has its own dominant characteristics. The most dominant and well-known characteristic of the Treeing Tennessee Brindle is its uncanny ability to hunt down and tree almost any kind of prey. Beyond that, there’s still a lot to know about these dogs.
To start with, these dogs are relatively small, usually about 30 to 50 pounds when fully grown. They stand anywhere from 16 to 24 inches at the shoulder and are strong and muscular when properly cared for.
They also have a versatile temperament and do well in a variety of living situations. They particularly enjoy having other dogs around, so they’re a great choice if you’re looking for a second dog or want more than one in the future.
Temperament
The Treeing Tennessee Brindle is an energetic breed with a great temperament. They’re happiest when hunting and have a strong sense of smell. They do well with other dogs and absolutely adore children.
That said, some Tennessee Brindles have a baying problem and can get noisy when their owners aren’t around. They can get excited during a hunt or playtime and need at least an hour of activity a day to stay healthy.
Some good activities for exercising this breed are:
- Hunting
- Playing fetch
- Run time in the yard
- Training or learning tricks
- Tug of war
As long as they get enough exercise, they settle down well in the home and are an extremely cuddly breed. As a matter of fact, they might even seem lethargic at home, but they really just enjoy laying around when they’re not playing.
Treeing Tennessee Brindles are loyal and loving, preferring to be close to their family as much as possible. Loneliness can be a real problem for this breed if everyone in the home is gone for extended periods.
Training
Training Treeing Tennessee Brindles can be a bit tricky, even though they’re extremely intelligent and pick up on commands easily. You’ll need a delicate balance between staying in control while avoiding punishment as a training method. These pups respond well to positive reinforcement.
If you train your dog using punishment, it’s unlikely that this breed will trust you. What’s worse is that once they decide they don’t trust you, they probably never will. These guys can hold a serious grudge.
If you have trouble with training, you should seek out the help of an experienced dog trainer or obedience class. Their methods are particularly well-suited to this breed.
Energy Levels
Treeing Tennessee Brindles don’t do anything halfway and that includes coping with their energy levels! When they’re outside or playing, they’re a ball of energy and prone to getting the zoomies. They can carry on like that for quite a while before they get worn out.
By comparison, when they’re in the home or settled down, they’re almost always snoozing or just laying around. They enjoy cuddling up with their people and usually stick with a favorite spot once they’ve found it. Because of this, they make good companions and excel as emotional support dogs.
Grooming and Shedding
Treeing Tennessee Brindles have a short, light coat. This means that, while you can expect a little bit of shedding like any dog, it’s not very much. You may need a lint roller on occasion if you need to look professional, but your guests won’t leave your home looking like yetis.
If you still want to further minimize the impact of shedding, there are some things you can do:
- Regular baths
- Frequent brushing
- Keep a lint roller nearby
- Use furniture covers
- Vacuum frequently
- Choose furniture in a similar color as your dog’s coat
- Nutrient-rich foods
- Fish oil supplements
All these dogs require for grooming is a good, weekly brush and baths as they need them for cleanliness. Keep their nails well-clipped. A dog groomer isn’t necessary with this breed, but you can still choose to take them to one if you prefer.
Suitability Around Children
Treeing Tennessee Brindles make wonderful family pets because of their laid-back personality at home. Moreover, they aren’t like some other breeds (looking at you, Chihuahuas) who only bond to one person. For these guys, they live and die by the rule, “the more, the merrier.”
While they do well with kids, it’s still important to make sure that their interactions are supervised and that your kids are treating them well. Young kids, especially, often play rougher than they mean to, and that can upset any dog.
Lifespan and Health Concerns
The Treeing Tennessee Brindle is an overall healthy breed. They usually have few, if any, health concerns and live to be about 10 to 12 years old. Regular vet checkups and vaccinations should be about all they need.
All dog breeds can be prone to skeletal and hip problems, such as hip dysplasia. It’s important to make sure that your dog is getting quality food with the nutrients they need to prevent these problems. As long as you do that, you shouldn’t have to worry about your Brindle’s health.
Adopting a Treeing Tennessee Brindle
If you have decided that you definitely want a Treeing Tennessee Brindle, you just need to find one! You have a few different options available to you.
The Humane Society strongly recommends adopting dogs when possible. If you look around, you might be lucky enough to find one in a shelter who needs a happy, loving forever home.
It’s more likely that you’ll be able to easily find a breeder if you’re close to the Appalachian Mountains, but they’re found elsewhere, too. The AKC Marketplace can help you find a reputable breeder near you.
Because this breed is still up and coming, it may take you some time to locate one to bring into your family. With a bit of patience, it isn’t hard to find one. Since they’re getting more popular, it continues to get easier to find Treeing Tennessee Brindle pups.
Compatibility With First-Time Dog Owners
These dogs are a very good option for first-time dog owners because of their great health and low maintenance. As long as you can commit to the exercise they need and train them without punishment, you’ll find this dog to be an easy companion.
These dogs can also do well in apartments since they’re so laid back, as long as you have somewhere to take them for exercise and the time to commit to it. A nearby park should do the trick, as can simple jogs down the street.
