Do I need to match front and rear tread design with new tires?

[tomseeley]

Not specifically a truck tire question, but one I need answered anyway, so I'll ask.

 

My wife's beater needs new front tires, and I'm cheap enough that if I don't NEED rear tires I won't spend the money now.

 

Do I need to match the front tread design on the new ones I buy to the tread design on the rear tires I already have? I've heard I do, but I'm not sure. I suspect that if I do need to match, it'd mean buying the same brand, right?

[DaveH71]

No, they don't need to match the rear. Only thing you need is the same size on the same axle, as in don't put two different size tires on the same axle front or rear.