The Hangin Tree Cowdog breed was named after the Hangin Tree Ranch. The definition of the breed is:
- A cattledog that is a gathering, retrieving, herding type dog.
- A tough aggressive dog that has the courage to stand up to and handle all types of cattle.
- An intelligent dog that is easy to train.
- A dog with good disposition that is not overly sensitive.
- A short or slick haired dog that can stand the heat when needed and also shed burs and mud with minimal coat maintenance.
- A dog with good bone structure that can take the abuse that a cattledog takes from being kicked and ran over.
- A dog that is deep and wide in the chest with endurance that will stay with you when the going gets tough.
- A dog that can wind and trail cattle.
- The Hangin Tree Cowdog is a purebred working dog bred specifically to work cattle.
The Hanging Tree breed was developed with:
- 3/8 Border Collie for their intense herding instinct and intelligence.
- 1/8 Catahoula for the ability to trail and find cattle, also for their toughness and slick hair coat.
- 1/4 Kelpie for endurance and also herding instinct and short hair.
- 1/4 Australian Shepherd, only a dog named Hangin Tree Black Bear went into this breed. Bear was a super dog with courage and ability to handle any kind of cattle.