The Treeing Tennessee Brindle is attentive and alert to his surroundings. This mid-sized American scenthound is clever when it comes to hunting but isn’t always interested in following direct orders without specific training. Even still, he is sociable and friendly with people while remaining courageous and dedicated to his job. With the right owner he is very loyal but he is not recommended for novice owners.
The TTB is a healthy and hardy breed, created to work hard outside in the fields. He makes a great hunting dog, being both agile and fast, and he uses his voice freely when he catches wind of prey. This isn’t to say that he can’t be kept as a pet, however a prospective owner needs to understand this dog’s personality quirks as well as making sure to give him enough exercise to meet his needs. As a hunting/treeing breed, it is good to recognize that this dog has an incredible nose and will want to follow it at all times – this goes hand in hand with his very high prey drive, which means he is prone to wandering. It is also important to note that barking has been sought-after trait, and is therefore very much a part of this breed. Apartment-dwellers may want to look elsewhere for a dog that is quieter and doesn’t require as much exercise.
The Treeing Tennessee Brindle, like other pack-hunting dogs, needs companionship in his day to day life and doesn’t thrive in a setting where he is often alone. This is probably why he is so affectionate to everyone (although particularly to his family and other dogs in his life). He tends to do great with children as well, although younger children as likely to get bowled over by his energetic exuberance. Although friendly and definitely not guard-dog material, most do make good watchdogs as they will bark to alert the presence of someone on the property. Depending on the bloodline, the TTB may or may not do well when living with cats. Outdoor cats might get chased up a tree.
Although he has a short, slick coat that requires little grooming, the TTB does shed moderately. Keeping him brushed regularly will help, especially during heavier shedding seasons. As the name might imply, the brindle color of the dog is his trademark. While dogs can also be black, most of them have at least some brindle markings. The coat and color of the dogs were one of the important features when they were developed, although hunting prowess was the most significant sought-after trait.
The Treeing Tennessee Brindle is an active dog and needs to be given frequent outlets to burn this energy. Without these outlets he can become fairly intense and difficult to live with. Like many of the cur breeds (the sub-group to which he belongs), the breed was created primarily for hunters rather than as a family pet. As such, he does best in homes or farmlands that have spacious fenced yards.
When it comes to training, the TTB is more sensitive than other hound breeds and requires patience. Harsh treatment should be avoided as it will cause the dog to shut down. A basic puppy kindergarten class that involves both socialization and obedience training is a great way to get the dog used to learning while young. This will prep him for later learning and make him easier to live with.
