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Breed Characteristics
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Plott Hound
| Other Names | Plott, Plotthund |
| Country of Origin | Germany |
| Weight | 40 - 75 lbs. (18 - 34 kg) Some lines being bred are producing larger dogs. |
| Height (at withers) | 20 - 25 in. (51 - 63 cm) |
| Coat | The Plott Hound's hair should be fine to medium in texture, short or medium in length, and have a smooth and glossy appearance. |
| Colour | According to the National Plott Hound Association, the dog's hair should be brindled. Brindled is defined as "Finely streaked or striped effect or pattern of black or tan hairs with hairs of a lighter or darker background colour. Shades of colours accepted: yellow brindle, red brindle, tan brindle, brown brindle, black brindle, grey brindle, and maltese (slate grey, blue brindle)." Acceptable colours are any of the above-mentioned brindles. Black with brindle trim in the alternative. The Association dictates that while some white on chest and/or feet is permissible, white anywhere else is a fault. |
| Litter Size | 3 - 6 puppies |
| Life Span | 12 - 14 years |
| Origin & History | Of the seven breeds of United Kennel Club (UKC) registered coonhounds, the Plott Hound does not trace its ancestry to the foxhound. And, of those seven breeds, we can be most certain of the Plott’s heritage and the men most responsible for its development. The ancestors of today’s Plott Hounds were used for boar hunting in Germany many years ago. Originally from Germany, Johannes “George” Plott emigrated to the United States in 1750. He brought a few wild boar hounds (five Hanoverian Hounds, used for bear and boar hunting) with him. These dogs had been bred for generations for their stamina and gameness. George and his wife, Margaret (Undocumented Maiden Name) with their family settled in the mountains of western North Carolina. Though there is no evidence that George ever came to western North Carolina, his son Henry settled there around 1801 to 1810 (as census discloses) and was responsible for the Plott hound legend of an incredible big game dog. The Plott Balsams are a mountain range that carries the family name to this day. Plott supposedly kept his strain entirely pure, making no outcrosses. In 1780, the Plott pack passed into the hands of Henry Plott. Shortly after, a hunter living in Rabun Gap, Georgia who had been breeding his own outstanding strain of “leopard spotted dogs” heard of the fame of the Plott Hounds and came to North Carolina to see for himself. He was so impressed that he borrowed one of Montraville Plott’s top stud dogs for a year to breed to his own bitches. This single cross is the only known instance of new blood being introduced into the Plott Hound since they first came to this country. Eventually Mont decided not to continue this breeding practice and gave all the leopard dogs away, returning to his original breeding practices. Other crosses possibly took place around the year 1900. G.P. Ferguson, a neighbor of the Plott family in North Carolina in those days, was a major influence on the Plott breed. He made a careful study of the Blevins hounds and the Cable hounds of that era. To what extent he used these bloodlines in his Plott breeding program is not known. The Plott Hound was first registered with the United Kennel Club in the 1946. Plotts were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2006. |
| Personality | This breed makes a fine companion. Loyal and intelligent, the Plott Hound is quick to learn, quick to love and good with children. Its personable nature is surely not evident on the trail. This large-game hunter and scenthound has great courage. Determined, courageous and proud, it will play chicken with a 500-pound bear or a wild, angry boar. The Plott has a curiously sharp and high-pitched voice, unlike the deep-throated howl common to other coonhounds. Socialize this breed at an early age and be sure to teach it simple obedience like walking on a leash. Plotts tend to drool and slobber. They need a firm, but calm, confident, consistent handler. Proper canine to human communication is essential. |
Care Requirements
| Health | The Plott Hound is considered the hardiest of the coonhounds. |
| Grooming | The short coat of the Plott Hound is easy to groom. Comb and brush occasionally to remove the dead hair. Check the ears often to make sure they are clean and infection free. After hunting they should be checked for torn nails, split pads on their feet, torn ears, and fleas and ticks. |
| Feeding | It eats large quantities of food quickly, which makes it susceptible to gastric torsion and life-threatening twisting of the stomach. Do not exercise this dog after a big meal. |
| Exercise | The Plott Hound needs a lot of physical exercise, which includes a daily, long, brisk walk or jog. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. This well-muscled and rather lean-boned dog has the endurance and stamina to work all day and well into the night. The Plott Hound should have chances to run free, but is born a natural hunter and has a tendency to run off and hunt if not kept in a well-fenced area while exercising off the lead. |
| Other Considerations | The Plott Hound is not recommended for apartment life. It can live and sleep outdoors provided it has proper shelter. This breed has no road sense at all and should be kept in a safe area because it has a tendency to wander. |
