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Plott Hound History

In 1750, George Plott arrived in America with five Hanoverian Hounds, and for seven generations his descendants bred their dogs in the mountains of North Carolina. The dogs came to be called by the family name and were well known as coonhounds. The Plott’s original purpose however was to hunt bears, and the Plott is still used to hunt such game as mountain lions. Only one known cross has ever been made in the history of Plott hounds, with the tan and black saddled Blevins, resulting in the black saddle of some Plotts today. The Plott is one of the handful of breeds originating in the United States, and the only of those few breeds without British ancestry. The Plott is the official State Dog of North Carolina. In 2007, the AKC officially recognized the Plott as a breed.

Plott Hound Temperament

Plott Hounds are a lively and courageous hunter that makes a loyal and devoted companion. They have the typical hound temperament and generally get along with all animals. They do make effective watchdogs and will bark when a stranger approaches the house. They are known to have the typical hound stubborness and can be a chore to obedience train. Plotts need a lot of exercise, they must be walked on a leash since they will follow any scent that they find interesting. Plotts do make good family pets, but most owners buy them for hunting purposes.

Plott Hound Appearance

Plotts are a large dog that usually weighs between 45 to75 pounds and stand 22 to 27 inches at the withers. They have long pendulous ears and dark eyes which lend to a sweet expression. Their coats are short, smooth and comes in all colours of brindle.

Plott Hound Grooming

Plotts are a fairly easy dog to groom and a weekly brushing is sufficient. They are considered a medium shedding breed, so they are not a good choice for individuals that suffer from dog allergies. Since they have long, pendulous ears, they must be checked and cleaned weekly to prevent infections.

Plott Hound Health Problems and Life Expectancy

Plotts are a very healthy and hardy breed that have very few health problems. The most serious concern is Bloat, which is when the stomach twists over on itself.

Plott Hound Pros and Cons

This simplified list may help you decide if a Plott Hound might be a good fit for your lifestyle.

Do You Want

• a rare dog?
• a good hunting dog?

Do You NOT Want

• a dog that can be stubborn and hard to train?
• a dog that barks a lot?
• a dog that drools and slobbers?
• a dog that is rare and will be hard to find and expensive to buy?

Useful Plott Hound Links

The National Plott hound Association