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Treeing Tennessee Brindle

Breedgroup of the Treeing Tennessee Brindle

The Treeing Tennessee Brindle belongs to the Breed group "Hounds"

History of the Treeing Tennessee Brindle

Originating in the United States of America, the Treeing Tennessee Brindle breed is a favorite hunting companion. Noted for their powerful scenting abilities, this breed is highly skilled in trailing, locating, and treeing squirrels and raccoons. Although this breed has been used for many generations, Treeing Tennessee Brindle's were not officially given a name until 1967 and are slowly, but steadily gaining in popularity.

Temperament of the Treeing Tennessee Brindle

The Treeing Tennessee Brindle breed is affectionate, loyal, and easy-going. They are passionate hunters that possess great spirit. This breed does well with other dogs, but is not recommended for a home with non-canine pets. Treeing Tennessee Brindle's do best with older considerate children. Their exuberance may be overwhelming to small children. They are highly energetic, cheerful, and enthusiastic. The Treeing Tennessee Brindle will bark to alert their family to suspicious activity. They make wonderful hunting and family companions.
Built for speed and intelligence, the Treeing Tennessee Brindle is smaller in size than other typical Hound breeds. They are courageous, well-built, possess cat-like feet, and small ears. This is an unpretentious breed that are often referred to as the breed that have "heart and try" in abundance.

Breedstandard of the Treeing Tennessee Brindle

The Mountain Cur is a type of working dog used for treeing and trailing game; mainly squirrel and raccoon, but also large game. It is a member of the Hound group and is one of several varieties of cur. They can also be used as water dogs. Mainly bred in Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee, it has been registered with the United Kennel Club since 1998. The Mountain Cur Breeder's Association was formed in 1957.// HistoryThe Mountain Cur was brought to America from Europe by the settlers of the Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee mountains ( recently Arkansas ,and Oklahoma) to guard the family and property, and chase and tree game. These dogs enabled the settlers to provide meat and pelts which could be sold or traded for other goods. The Mountain Cur was bred and maintained for nearly two hundred years. With the advent of World War II, many of the families who had bred them left the rural areas and went to work in factories in the war effort. By the end of the 1940's the breed was becoming rare. Four individuals, Hugh Stephens and Woody Huntsman of Kentucky, Carl McConnell of Virginia and Dewey Ledbetter of Tennessee are given credit for saving the breed from dying out and setting the Mountain Cur breed standard.Mt. Curs were the pioneer dogs of the southern Kentucky and Tennessee mountains. It has been said that without Mt. Cur Dogs the pioneers could have never been able to settle in these mountains.Mt. Curs were a necessity for the frontier family. They guarded the family against wild animals and other dangers and caught, treed, and holed game for the family's food. Mt. Curs were held in high regard by the pioneers and few were sold out of ones family.It is believed that the Mt. Cur came from Europe along with their owners who came to America seeking new homes. It has been established through family history and research that Spanish Explorers brought the bob-tailed curs to the South. Hernando de Soto brought bob-tail curs to drive the hogs and provide protection against wild animals, while he explored the South and later discovered the Mississippi River.Until World War II, the Mt. Cur was still an economic asset to the mountain people. Their Mt. Curs helped feed the family and many of these mountain people bought food, clothes, and other necessities with money from furs caught by their Mt. Curs. Then came the War and the industrial revolution, making jobs available in the Cities. As more mountain people became moved to the Cities to become factory workers the Mt. Cur became scarce in the late 1940's.However the Ole' mountain men did not forget the Mt. Cur. Four men have been credited with saving the Mt. Cur from extinction, even though many Mt. Curs bloodlines carry very little if any of the blood of the old pioneer Mt. Curs. These men were Hugh Stephens and Woody Huntsman of Kentucky, Dewey Ledbetter of Tennessee, and Carl McConnell of Virginia.In 1956, these men founded the Original Mountain Cur Breeders' Association. Soon after, much controversy over the breed standard caused Hugh Stephen and Carl McConnell to leave the OMCBA and they founded the Stephen Stock Mt. Cur Association (Registered only long- tailed little black and white dogs).Later the Tennessee Treeing Brindle Association ( Registering any long-tailed brindle dogs), and the Kemmer Stock Breeders Association, who registers any and all OMCBA registered dogs, regardless of bloodlines.The Mountain View Cur was developed by selecting only the very best certified tree dogs out of a certain pure Mt. Cur bloodline. This is why they are know as the "thoroughbreds" of the cur dog world. No other Mt Cur Strain has ever been bred under their strict selection and breeding standards. Description AppearanceCoat: Heavy, medium short.Color: Brindle, black,dark brown, black and brindle, yellow and can have white pointsHead: Broad square with top being a flat plane between the high set ears.Eyes:Green or dark brown, expressive.Ears:Short to medium with a high set and tightly controlled.Muzzle: Heavy with wide nares. Teeth form a scissor like bite.Body: Stocky, muscular, square and slightly longer than it is tall. The tail can be docked but long enough to form a handle for show. Some pups are born with a bobbed tail.Legs: Straight, medium long, muscular capable of speed.Feet: Oval shaped, muscled with feline-like pads. Can have back dew claws. TemperamentThe Mountain Cur is intelligent, easily trained, and neither vicious nor shy. They tend to be very energetic and generally do not make good indoor pets. They are known to always try to please their masters. MiscellaneousThe book Old Yeller by Frederick Gipson was about a mountain Cur but, in the 1957 movie Old Yeller, he was played by a yellow hound cross. His name was Spike and was raised by Frank Weatherwax, after being bought as a puppy from a pound for 3 dollars.

Care of the Treeing Tennessee Brindle

The Treeing Tennessee Brindle breed requires regular brushing with a firm bristle brush to remove loose and dead hair. Bathing should only be done when absolutely necessary. It is important to routinely check the ears for debris and to keep the nails trimmed. This breed has no known health issues.
The Treeing Tennessee Brindle's coat is smooth, sleek, dense, and short. They are an average shedder.

Training of the Treeing Tennessee Brindle

The Treeing Tennessee Brindle is extremely sensitive. They will not respond to harsh or heavy-handed training methods. If training is done with neglect or abuse there are catastrophic consequences, for this is a breed that is all "heart". Training must always be done with respect, love, fairness, and consistency. Treeing Tennessee Brindle's do well with obedience and socialization.

Other information on the Treeing Tennessee Brindle

The Treeing Tennessee Brindle breed is not recommended for apartment dwelling. They are highly active and require a rural setting where they can free roam to hone their hunting skills. They enjoy time with their family and prefer to be outdoors.

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