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History
The powerful, brindled Plott Hound comes from a line of dogs bred by generations of the Plott family in North Carolina's Smoky Mountains. In 1750, young Georg Plott created the first family hounds by mating the boar-hunting bloodhounds he had brought from Germany. The result: a brindled (sometimes saddled) hound with an excellent treeing and fighting instinct. Since North Carolina didn't have boars, the Plott family used their fleet-footed, tenacious hunters for bear hunting. Today, because there are more coon hunters than big game hunters in this country, most Plott Hounds are used for coon hunting, although some are bred and raised to hunt big cats, bears, coyotes, and wild boar.
The Plott Hound is the North Carolina State Dog and is one of only four dogs known to be of American origin. The AKC accepted the breed in its Miscellaneous Class in 1998 and it is now being bred for show by professional breeders, a trend that concerns some breeders dedicated to maintaining the breed as a hunting dog.
Description
Like other hounds, the Plott Hound tends to be a powerfully built animal with a confident and determined air. The head should be carried high and the neck and topline should be long, lean, and muscular. The prominent eyes are brown or hazel; the ears are broad, soft, and set moderately high on the dog's head. (They should not droop like the ears of a bloodhound.) The muzzle is slightly squarish and the teeth should meet in a scissors bite. The coat is smooth and glossy (rarely, Plott Hounds have double coats). The ideal coat color is any shade of brindle, including yellow, buckskin, brown, liver, red, light or dark gray, or blue, although Plotts can also be solid black, black with brindle trim, or buckskin. The dog's gait should be graceful, agile, and speedy; the legs should be long and straight and the feet need to be "tight." The dog's call is described as both bugle-like and having a ringing "chop," which means it is short, loud, and bright in tone.
Talents
Tracking, hunting, watchdog, guarding.
Personality
The Plott Hound is an aggressive fighter in the field and is widely known for its enduring desire to "mix it up" with dangerous game. That doesn't mean the hounds don't make great pets—indeed, these dogs can be loyal, smart, and enthusiastically affectionate in the home and are becoming increasingly popular as family dogs. But potential owners should proceed with care. As pack dogs bred to fight, Plott Hounds need lots of socialization and early training so they learn their place. Even then, they will need to be monitored around other dogs, as they are capable of fighting to the death—even over a bowl of food or killed game. This can be especially hazardous around children, other dogs, or even a cat who might innocently sample a Plott Hound's food. If you're interested in hunting, of course, the Plott Hound is a tried and true pack dog that is known for its ability to track, tree, and fight many kinds of game - a breed that won't let you down.
Behavior
Children: Best with older, considerate children.
Friendliness: Fairly friendly with strangers.
Trainability: Very easy to train.
Independence: Not particularly dependent or independent.
Dominance: High.
Other Pets: Do not trust with other pets.
Combativeness: Can be a bit dog aggressive.
Noise: Not much barking.
Notes
This is a robust breed that so far has not developed genetic problems. Fairly quiet except when hunting.
Grooming
Grooming: Almost no grooming needed.
Trimming & Stripping: No trimming or stripping needed.
Coat: Short coat.
Shedding: None (or very light).
Exercise: Lots of exercise needed.
Jogging: A poor jogging companion.
Indoors: Moderately active indoors.
Apartments: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised.
Outdoor Space: Needs an average-sized yard.
Climate: Does well in most climates.
Owner: Not recommended for novice owners.
Longevity: Average (10 to 12 years).
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