|
| First Dog | Dog Care | Dog Training | Dog Feeding | Dog Health | Dog Breeding | Dog Showing | OutDoor Dogs | Working Dogs | Careers with Dogs | Forum | Pet Links | Site Map | Home | |
TREEING TENNESSEE BRINDLE |
||||||||
Additonal Breeds Starting With Letter:
Pet Sites
 |
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.
|
