COUNTRY: USA
WEIGHT: In proportion to height, around 45 pounds
HEIGHT: 16-24 inches
COAT: Short, dense and smooth
COLOR: Brindle, or black with brindle trim; small amount of white on breast or feet allowed
GROUP: Hound
The second of the "mountain" curs is the Treeing Tennessee Brindle. As opposed to the Mountain Cur, this breed tends a lot more to the hound. His roots are the same as the other coon-dogs, and the rather honest statement of the Association sums up this dog's history. "Our original breeding stock came from outstanding brindle tree dogs from every part of the country." The Plott dogs as well as the Curs may have played prominently in the formation of the Tennessee dog.
Hunters used the small brindle hounds for generations. They didn't have a name for them then; they just knew that these unpretentious dogs were fine open trailers and were superb locators, fearless with game such as coon and squirrel but very companionable with men and dogs.
It wasn't until 1967 that a group formed to foster and register the breed and give it an official name. Founded by the Reverend Earl Phillips who is in his late 90s and still working his dogs, the Treeing Tennessee Brindle Breeders Association has grown from modest beginnings to over 500 members in 30 states. In 1978, the TTBBA turned its registry over to the American Coon Hunters Association and the Treeing Brindle was recognized as this group's ninth breed of coonhound. The TTBBA has recently applied to AKC for Miscellaneous Class status for then-breed.
Hunting characteristics are much like the other coonhound breeds, with ample nose for trailing game, open trailers with a coarse chop mouth, and fine treeing ability. Small hounds, they have tight cat feet and small ears. They are fast and courageous hunters and, as companions, are intelligent, affectionate and easygoing. Their promoters say these dogs have "heart and try" in abundance.
Puppy buyers are encouraged to look for one that is happy, bold, confident and inquisitive. The breed is particularly sensitive to neglect or abuse, and breeders warn that care must be taken in training not to destroy that heart— "You can take it out, but you can never put it back!" Traits such as large size, long low ears, stub tails and colors other than brindle are warned against, since all would put him into another canine category.