Treeing Tennessee Brindle: Your Complete Guide

Treeing Tennessee brindles are the pinnacle of tree-hunting dogs. They have no fear when it comes to chasing animals up trees for you to hunt down and capture. While this was common in the past, treeing Tennessee brindles have become less common because not many people are out there chasing animals up trees.

That said, this breed isn’t only good for chasing things through the woods. In fact, they’re one of the smartest dog breeds you can adopt, which is perfect for service dog work and help around the farm. Treeing Tennessee brindles also make great exercise companions because of their high energy levels.

Before you adopt a treeing Tennessee brindle, it’s important to learn more about the breed. Take some time to learn more about the breed. We’ll take you through their temperament, energy level, intelligence, and behavior around children and other animals. Read on to learn everything you need to know below.

Quick Look at the Treeing Tennessee Brindle

Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Treeing Tennessee Brindles?

Treeing Tennessee brindles have been around for a long time. Their origins can be traced back to brindle cur dogs, which had a dark brown coat that was decorated with stripes. The stripes used to give them a tiger-like appearance. While the brindle cur is still around today, a unique breed variation emerged in the 1960s.

The treeing Tennessee brindle can thank Reverend Earl Phillips for their popularity. He noticed that some brindle curs had a lighter brown coat and tiger stripes. While he thought the dog looked unique, he also loved the dog’s strong sense of smell and hunting instincts.

After spending some time getting to know the breed, the Reverend took a liking to them and formed the Treeing Tennessee Brindle Breeders Association. Like other breed associations and kennel clubs, it was established to protect the breed and maintain quality among breeders.

While the breed hasn’t been accepted into the American Kennel Club (AKC), in 1995, the organization began keeping records for the breed. Ever since, the treeing Tennessee brindle has been a part of their Stock Service Program.

Today, they’re still a part of this service, but they can also participate in AKC companion events. Most treeing Tennessee brindles come from the Appalachian Mountains, but they can be found across the United States.

What Do Treeing Tennessee Brindles Look Like?

Treeing Tennessee brindles have a distinct appearance. They’re a medium-sized dog with short hair that hugs their body. The short hair makes it easy to see their muscular build, which is most noticeable in their strong legs.

Legs aside, treeing Tennessee brindles have strong torsos, necks, and backs. Their traits make them ideal for working situations, service dog work, and agility training.

The treeing Tennessee brindle’s head includes droopy ears, jowls, and v-shaped eyes. Between their ears, the head is flat, and their dark coats bring out their amber eyes. Sometimes, treeing Tennessee brindles will have white patches in their coats, but this isn’t typical of the breed. Most dogs are brindle or black with a brindle trim.

There isn’t much variation with treeing Tennessee brindles, so it’s not uncommon for most puppies in a litter to look the same.

What Size Is a Treeing Tennessee Brindle?

Treeing Tennessee brindles are medium-sized dogs in regard to their height and weight. They’re not the biggest dogs around but larger than small and toy breeds.

Male treeing Tennessee brindles are 18 to 24 inches tall, and females are 16-22 inches tall. Females and males also have a slight variation in weight. Male treeing Tennessee brindles weigh about 40-50 pounds, whereas females are 30-40 pounds.

What Is a Treeing Tennessee Brindle’s Coat Type and Length?

Treeing Tennessee brindles have a short coat that hugs their body. The coat can be rough or soft, depending on the dog. Their hair is straight and easy to maintain if you brush it out once a week. It’s also worth noting that the breed was named after its short, brown, and rough coat, hence the name brindle.

What Is a Treeing Tennessee Brindle’s Temperament?

Treeing Tennessee brindles have a modest temperament, but they love to get out in the world and hunt. They’re naturally curious, which leads them to investigate small animals, chase squirrels, and even meet new people. It’s important to dog-proof your home to avoid them escaping or getting into something they should not.

As hunting dogs, treeing Tennessee brindles love to hunt and track. Their strong sense of smell will have them smelling just about everything, and they love to get vocal with their owners. Thankfully, treeing Tennessee brindles don’t just hunt and bark. They’re also naturally courageous dogs that will protect your family if they sense any danger looming.

Are Treeing Tennessee Brindles Good With Kids?

Yes, treeing Tennessee brindles are good with children as long as they’re adolescents. Children and toddlers might get hurt playing with a treeing Tennessee brindle because of their size and personality. While this is rarely intentional, it’s worth keeping an eye on if you see your child and a treeing Tennessee Brindle playing.

Are Treeing Tennessee Brindles Good With Other Animals?

Treeing Tennessee brindles can be taught to cooperate with other animals. They need socialization training from a young age for the best results, but you can start this process from any age.

Treeing Tennessee brindles have a prey drive, so keep an eye on them when they’re around smaller animals. Otherwise, you might have a dog that loves to chase your cat around the house.

Are Treeing Tennessee Brindles Aggressive?

No, treeing Tennessee brindles aren’t very aggressive. They won’t lash out at strangers, but they may be standoffish until they get to know them. Also, they won’t be aggressive towards most animals, even the smaller ones. The only time they get aggressive is if they feel threatened or if you’re out hunting together.

Do Treeing Tennessee Brindles Bark?

Treeing Tennessee brindles are vocal dogs that have a loud and unique bark. They’ll alert you to any problems, strangers, or even animals if you’re out hunting. In fact, their loud bark can help you catch the animals they’ve chased up a tree. If you live in an apartment, it’s not the best idea to adopt a treeing Tennessee brindle because they can aggravate neighbors.

Are Treeing Tennessee Brindles Affectionate?

Treeing Tennessee brindles are affectionate but not in a cuddly way. Instead, you’ll know a treeing Tennessee brindle loves you when they communicate with you or show you their loyalty. However, some treeing Tennessee brindles may lay on the couch with you or even attempt to sit on your lap. Ultimately, it comes down to the dog.

Are Treeing Tennessee Brindles Intelligent?

Treeing Tennessee brindles are very intelligent dogs. They’re smarter than your average breed and use their intelligence to their advantage when hunting. You can train them to chase animals up trees, hence treeing, and they can even learn to communicate with you during a hunt.

Curiosity is also a sign of intelligence in dogs, and the treeing Tennessee brindle is one of the most curious dogs around. You’ll find them snooping around your home, backyard, and in public to better understand their surroundings.

Another sign of their intelligence is emotional intelligence and understanding when people are unhappy. This goes a long way for service dog work or emotional support animal (ESA) work.

Are Treeing Tennessee Brindles Energetic?

Treeing Tennessee brindles are high-energy dogs. They don’t have a problem going on long hunts, walks, or even jobs. Because of their high energy levels, it’s important to help them get plenty of exercises.

You should aim to have them walk for at least 10 miles per week and for at least an hour or two per day. This can be done in one long walk or broken up into a few longer walks. If you don’t expend their energy, treeing Tennessee brindles will become restless, overweight, and unhappy.

Keep this in mind when adopting a treeing Tennessee brindle because you need to dedicate several hours per week to its energy levels.

Are Treeing Tennessee Brindles Easy to Train?

Treeing Tennessee brindles are easy dogs to train. They’re great at learning hundreds of commands, and you can teach them to hunt or track animals with you. Treeing Tennessee brindles are also smart enough to guard properties and function as a watchdog for large farms.

The last thing to note is that these dogs are strong and powerful so that you can train them for service dog work or agility shows. Ultimately, you can go in almost any training direction with the treeing Tennessee brindle.

Are Treeing Tennessee Brindles Good Watchdogs?

Treeing Tennessee brindles are great watchdogs and guard dogs. They’re smart enough to seduce when someone is a friend or foe, and they can be aggressive when necessary. Treeing Tennessee brindles can also watch over farms or large properties for hostile animals like coyotes and alert you to other types of danger.

Are Treeing Tennessee Brindles Good Service Dogs?

Treeing Tennessee brindles are great service dogs if you get the proper training for them. They’re smart enough to perform any task, so it’s not uncommon for them to be seen as service dogs.

The only issue with their ability to become a service dog is that they’re a more rare breed than some other types of service dogs. This means that finding one for service dog work might be easier said than done.

That said, once you have a treeing Tennessee brindle, they make great physical service dogs. The breed is strong enough to support people who walk with a limp, push wheelchairs, guide blind people, and tackle any other physical tasks.

Treeing Tennessee brindles are also smart enough to get help in public and assist people who have mental health disorders as psychiatric service dogs.

ESA and therapy dog work is also possible with the treeing Tennessee brindle. However, their large size makes it complicated to go around in public. Plus, they’re often too big to be roaming around schools or hospitals, which is where therapy dogs are found.

How to Care for a Treeing Tennessee Brindle?

Treeing Tennessee brindles are not a lot of work to care for once you get into a routine. The most important thing to do is bring them to the vet annually.

Your vet can help you adjust their diet, give them an exercise plan, and even diagnose illnesses so you can treat them before they progress. Keeping an eye on health problems and bringing them to the vet when they show symptoms is also important.

Next, focus on grooming and diet. Their grooming needs aren’t intensive, but you should brush their coats at least once weekly. Also, brush their teeth twice weekly to ensure their dental health remains healthy. As for diet, feed them one that consists of healthy fats, protein, and carbohydrates.

Learn more about caring for treeing Tennessee brindles below.

Do You Need to Groom a Treeing Tennessee Brindle?

Yes, you need to groom a treeing Tennessee brindle. It’s important to brush their coat weekly to remove dead hair and to prevent hair from growing improperly.

Along with brushing, bath them whenever they’re dirty or covered in mud. Otherwise, there isn’t much else you need to do besides brushing their teeth a few times per week. This is because their nails will ground down naturally as they explore and play.

Do Treeing Tennessee Brindles Shed?

Treeing Tennessee brindles shed, just like most other dog breeds. The good news is that they’re only moderate shedders, so you don’t have to worry about hair piling up around your home. Still, the fall and spring may result in heavier shedding, so keep an eye on this to prevent any problems.

What Health Problems Do Treeing Tennessee Brindles Have?

Treeing Tennessee brindles have a few health problems you should be aware of. The two major things you have to look for are hip dysplasia and patellar luxation.

Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joints don’t develop properly, which leads to inflammation and joint pain. Patella luxation occurs when the dog’s knee slips out of place. Symptoms of these conditions include squealing, trouble walking and dragging a leg.

Another common health problem is obesity because these dogs don’t have a shut-off when eating. Limit their food intake to avoid any problems, and take it easy on the treats if you notice any weight gain.

Aside from these health problems, treeing Tennessee brindles are a healthy breed with few health issues. If you’re worried about their health, exercise with them often and bring them to the vet for a checkup once a year.

How Long Do Treeing Tennessee Brindles Live?

Treeing Tennessee brindles have an average lifespan for large dog breeds. Expect to get 10 to 12 good years out of them before their health declines. As they age, their metabolism also slows down, so feed them a little less to avoid weight gain as they age. Avoiding weight gain is essential for preventing heart problems and can prolong their life.

What Should a Treeing Tennessee Brindle Eat?

Treeing Tennessee brindles need a healthy diet that consists of protein for growth and carbohydrates for energy. Limit their food intake to about 1.5 cups of kibble for medium-sized dogs daily to limit weight gain. You can feed them twice a day for the best results and limit their intake of treats to help them regulate their weight.

As puppies, treeing Tennessee brindles will need more food. Look for puppy food for medium-sized dogs and feed them about two cups per day, split between four meals. Once they reach six months, you can start to put them on a traditional two-meal plan.

Is a Treeing Tennessee Brindle the Right Dog for Me?

Treeing Tennessee brindles are great dogs if you have the space to care for them. You’ll have the best time with a treeing Tennessee brindle if you have a lot of land, a big house, or a place like a farm. These dogs love to explore and run around, so giving them space to do so is essential. Therefore, treeing Tennessee brindles isn’t a great option for apartment life.

Treeing Tennessee brindles are also a good fit for you if you have the time to spend with them. While they won’t get lonely without you like some other breeds, you need to spend time exercising with them.

If you can’t dedicate an hour or two each day to playing, it’s not a good idea to adopt a treeing Tennessee brindle because they can become frustrated, overweight, and unhealthy.

The last thing to consider is your family situation. Have children under the age of 5? It’s not the best idea to adopt a treeing Tennessee brindle yet. You’ll want to wait until they’re older and can handle the high energy levels of the Treeing Tennessee Brindle without the risk of injuries.

Considering these factors, you shouldn’t have any issues with a treeing Tennessee brindle.