Wheeler/Fiddler traits
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What should you expect out of a Wheeler bred Black & Tan? Here are some traits that we have found are common in this strain even down to the 3rd generation Tennessee Fiddler:
Hard, "go-yonder" hunters.
If you want a dog that will get out from under your feet, give one of these a try--the next time you see him, he'll probably be treed. Years ago, when Tam Young had old Tennessee Wheeler and Tennessee Fiddler, these dogs were known as the "black dogs that hunt like Walkers" . They have the desire to go hunting fast and find game. They usually hunt hard and deep. Ron Myers bred a good bit of "hunt" into his line of dogs by breeding to Fiddler. Here's what he had to say: "At that time, Tam Young, in my opinion, had the hardest going black dogs that I'd ever hunted with. Tennessee Wheeler and Tennessee Fiddler were real hard going.." As you know, today a Ron Myers bred dog are known as hunting machines. This came from the Wheeler bloodline.
Early starting
Old Tennessee Fiddler produced some of the earliest starting puppies I have ever seen. Some would tree their first squirrel alone at 3 months old and first coon at 6 months old. You didn't have to wait to see what these dogs were going to do--they showed you early and they just kept on getting better.
Tree-minded
I have seen tiny puppies out of this line tree hard on pet house cats or anything else with coon scent placed above their heads. (Some 8 weeks old pups on a stuffed toy raccoon!) They just naturally seem to want to tree and they are very good locating tree dogs. I would say besides their hard hunting ability, their locating ability is one of the best traits of this line.
Nose
Most Wheeler/Fiddler dogs we have seen have a good cold nose and also do a lot of "winding"with their head up. They can move a track well and won't "boo-around" all night before they tree. They have a good enough nose to please the pleasure hunter yet can also compete in the hunts with anything out there.
Houndy appearance
We have found that these dogs are usually big dogs with long ears and with a "houndy" appearance. They are often not show dogs although there are exceptions. Expect a big houndy looking head on a Wheeler bred hound and a large chunky body. Some weigh about 75 lbs but don't let that fool you--these dogs can MOVE. They are absolutely NOT SLOW.
Voice
Usually a good bawl mouth on track and chop at the tree. Some Tennesse Fiddler dogs have a coarse mouth that won't carry as well as we would like but the quality of the voice is beautiful. Not all dogs of this strain have the coarse, low volume mouth but some will. This is one of the few faults I have seen out of this line of dogs. My Rocket 88 pup had a big bawl mouth that carries well and he is double bred 3rd generation Fiddler.
Good nature
This strain of hounds are easy going with both man and beast and are not aggressive. In the world of competition today you see a lot of ill tree dogs as most people think that you need one to stay at the tree with the alligators. These Wheeler bred hounds are usually very easy going and will tree with anything. The ones I have seen will back up and just keep treeing if another dog wants to start trouble. They are usually easy handled and have a wonderful, gentle disposition. Not wild or crazy. You CAN have a competition dog that's not ill. These dogs are living proof.
These are some of the traits we admire out of the Wheeler bred dogs. Of course, this is only my opinion based on what I have seen. Try one for yourself for maximum hunting pleasure!