1. COLOR: Blond, Yellow, Red, Brindle, Black, Brindle & Black, and Black & Brindle, often with white points.

2. HEAD: Dome flat, wide between eyes, heavy muzzle, short to medium ears set high with control, eyes preferred dark, prominent, and expressive. Neck strong and muscular.

3. BODY: Deep chested, back straight and strong, coat smooth or rough with a soft fine undercoat.

4. TAIL: Natural bob or docked preferred. Docking should leave enough tail to have a handle when grown.

5. FEET: Cat paw type, strong and well muscled, set for speed. No dew-claws on hind feet. Pups born with them, should have them removed.

6. LEGS: Straight, muscular, set for speed.

7. VOICE: Semi-open trailing preferred on big game and coon. Silent trailing preferred on squirrel, with a good clear tree bark that can be heard a long distance.

8. HEIGHT: Males at shoulders: 20-26 inches, average being 23 inches.
                  Females at shoulders: 18-24 inches, average being 21 inches.

9. WEIGHT: In proportion to height and body structure. Not over 60 pounds and not under 30 pounds. Males being heavier than the females. Ideal weight being 45 pounds.

10. CHARACTERISTICS: Strong treeing and hunting instinct, cold nose for winding ability but will swing out with head held high and drift or cut a track in an effort to catch the game and will tree game that has left no trail. Easily discouraged from unwanted game. Courageous fighters on dangerous game.  They have a strong desire to please their master. When bred to like they will produce a high percentage of “Natural” tree dogs.