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Plott Hound breed guide
The American Kennel Club calls the Plott a rugged, relentless hunting dog that is a mellow gentleman at home but fearless, implacable and bold at work and North Carolina's state dog.
A streamlined, light-footed hunter, it wears a flashy brindle coat from black flecked with gold to flaming orange and russet.
Temperament
The Plott is intelligent, alert and confident. It may be a tail-wagging, people-loving dog but may be a bit standoffish, since it is extremely smart and focused and young dogs need thorough socialization.
Plotts are tough, relentless athletes needing lots of exercise and outdoor time.
Lifespan
Plotts live 12 to 14 years. They are mostly healthy. A responsible breeder screens the parents for hip dysplasia and the pendant ears are prone to infection.
Care
The smooth, fine, glossy coat may be any shade of brindle, solid black or marked with a saddle. It needs minimal maintenance: a weekly brushing with a soft-bristle brush or hound glove removes dirt and loose hair.
The breed standard calls the Plott noted for stamina, endurance, agility, determination and aggressiveness when hunting, so daily vigorous exercise such as long walks suits it.
History
Unique among the six AKC coonhound breeds, Plotts descend not from English Foxhounds but from German Hanover hounds. In 1750 a German immigrant named Johannes Plott arrived in North Carolina with five Hanover hounds.
He settled in the mountains, raised a family and hunted bears with his hounds and his son Henry bred the family pack to local stock and produced a big-game hunter first called Plott's hound, then the Plott Hound and finally the Plott.
AKC trait ratings
| Trait | AKC rating | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Level | 4 of 5 | Couch Potato to High Energy |
| Trainability Level | 4 of 5 | Self-Willed to Eager to Please |
| Shedding Level | 2 of 5 | No Shedding to Hair Everywhere |
| Barking Level | 4 of 5 | Only To Alert to Very Vocal |
| Adaptability Level | 4 of 5 | Lives For Routine to Highly Adaptable |
| Good With Young Children | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Children |
| Good With Other Dogs | 5 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Other Dogs |
| Watchdog/Protective Nature | 4 of 5 | What's Mine Is Yours to Vigilant |