Plott Hound

The history of this breed reads like a gripping historical novel. It all began in 1750 when a young German immigrant named Johannes Plott stepped onto American soil. He brought with him not only hope for a new life but also five Hanoverian Hounds (Hanoverian Schweisshund). In Germany, these dogs were used for boar hunting and were famous for their ability to follow a cold trail.

Settling in the mountains of North Carolina, the Plott family continued to breed these dogs, selecting only the very best for hunting bears and wild boars. For seven generations, spanning over 200 years, the breed remained an exclusively family affair. The Plotts rarely crossed their dogs with other breeds, allowing them to preserve the unique German type. Legend has it that only once was the blood of a “leopard dog” (possibly a Catahoula or another local type) introduced to add energy and improve working qualities. This sharply distinguishes them from other coonhounds, such as the Black and Tan Coonhound or the Bluetick Coonhound, which were formed primarily from Bloodhound and Foxhound stock.

The Plott Hound is the athlete of the dog world. The first thing that catches your eye is the powerful musculature under thin, glossy skin. It isn’t a massive dog like a Rottweiler, but it radiates strength and speed. The body is slightly stretched, ensuring a long stride and endurance over long distances.

Coat and Color: The breed’s calling card is its brindle pattern. The background can vary from yellow to dark brown, almost black, with dark streaks. Solid black individuals (often with a brindle sheen on the legs) and rare “buckskin” variants also occur. The coat is short, thick, and capable of protecting the dog from thorny brush and bad weather. The skin is elastic but shouldn’t form heavy folds like a Bloodhound.

Head: The skull is flat, the muzzle long and strong. Ears are hanging, of medium length, and fairly wide, but not as long as those of other coonhounds. The eyes are the mirror of the hunter’s soul: attentive, intelligent, hazel or dark brown.

The Plott Hound’s character is a complex cocktail of hunting drive and boundless love for its pack. This is a dual-purpose dog: a ruthless beast in the woods and a gentle friend at home. However, future owners need to keep a few key aspects of this breed’s psyche in mind.

• Confidence and Courage. The Plott knows no fear. This dog was bred to stop a bear weighing 400 pounds or more. In everyday life, this manifests as absolute self-confidence. They aren’t skittish or hysterical.
• Territoriality. Unlike many hounds that are happy to greet any stranger, the Plott can be wary and show guarding qualities. It will protect its territory and food bowl (so it’s important to work on food aggression from puppyhood). In terms of alertness, they can be as vigilant as a Majorcan Rater, although clearly in a different weight class.
• Loud Voice. The Plott’s “singing” is an art form in itself. They have a loud, piercing bark that hunters call a “bawl.” This is wonderful in the forest when you need to locate the dog, but it can be a disaster in an apartment complex.

Socialization is critical. Without it, natural suspicion of strangers can turn into aggression. While some hounds are softer, the Plott is a serious “worker” with a tougher core.

The Plott Hound isn’t just a dog chasing a scent. It is an intellectual hunter. They are known for their ability to unravel the most complex tracks (“cold trailing”). When a Plott strikes a trail, it transforms completely. Its voice changes to a characteristic, rhythmic chop or bawl that allows the hunter to know exactly what stage the chase is in.

Interestingly, the breed has an extremely high pain threshold. In the heat of a fight with a boar or bear, the dog might sustain serious injuries but will continue to hold the beast until the owner arrives. This tenacity makes them similiar to terriers. For instance, the small but gritty Patterdale Terrier is famous for its uncompromising nature in a den, just like the Plott in open combat. Both breeds work “on contact,” which requires the owner to pay special attention to the animal’s safety.

Training a Plott Hound is a challenge to your patience and teaching skills. They are smart, but not in the sense that they’ll fetch your slippers on command. Their intelligence is aimed at problem-solving: how to get food, how to open a door, how to catch a cat. Here are the main principles for working with this breed:

1. Leadership without Violence. A Plott won’t respect a weak owner, but will shut down if treated with cruelty. A firm, consistent approach is needed. “No” must mean “no” always, not just when you’re in a bad mood.
2. Nose Work. The best reward for a Plott is the chance to use its nose. Games like “find it,” mantrailing (search and rescue), or coursing are great alternatives to real hunting.
3. Early Socialization. Introduce the puppy to other dogs, people, and city sounds. This helps avoid excessive suspicion in adulthood.

It’s important to understand that the Plott can be stubborn. If they catch a scent, recalling them with a “come” command is a master-level task. Therefore, practicing perfect obedience is a matter of the dog’s safety.

Overall, the Plott Hound is a healthy breed formed under harsh conditions of natural selection. Weak and sick individuals simply didn’t survive in the mountains and weren’t bred. However, like any breed, they have predispositions to certain conditions. Owners should be vigilant.

An energetic dog needs high-quality fuel. A Plott Hound’s diet should be based on high-protein food, especially if the dog is actively working or training. Cheap kibble filled with fillers (corn, soy) won’t provide the necessary energy and can lead to digestive issues.

Natural Diet: The base should be meat (beef, poultry), organ meats, and ocean fish. Add vegetables (zucchini, carrots) and dairy products. Grains (rice) should only be a small source of carbs.
Dry Food: Choose “super-premium” or “holistic” brands designed for active medium-to-large breeds.

• Pros:
  • Incredible endurance and health.
  • Minimal coat care (a grooming mitt is enough).
  • Loyalty to family and good watchdog instincts.
  • Rare, exclusive breed with a fascinating history.
  • High intelligence for practical tasks.
• Cons:
  • Very loud voice (barking/howling), which can annoy neighbors.
  • Strong prey drive (risk of running off after a scent).
  • Needs significant physical excercise (a walk around the block won’t cut it).
  • Possible aggression toward other animals (especially small ones).
  • Specific “hound odor” typical of many hunting dogs (requires hygiene).

This breed is full of surprises. Here are a few facts to impress your dog-loving friends:

• State Symbol. In 1989, the Plott Hound was officially declared the State Dog of North Carolina. This honors the history of the Plott family and the breed’s contribution to settling the region.
• No British Accent. This is the only one of the six AKC-recognized coonhound breeds that doesn’t trace its lineage to English Foxhounds. It is a pure German line preserved in America.
• Universal Soldier. Although their main specialty is bear and boar, Plotts are successfully used to hunt cougars, coyotes, and even for police work (drug detection and trailing) thanks to their phenomenal nose.

Does the Plott Hound shed a lot?
Shedding is average. The coat is short, so it’s not as noticeable on carpets as long-haired breeds, but the tiny bristles can get stuck in clothes. Weekly brushing with a rubber mitt solves the problem.

Is this breed suitable for allergy sufferers?
No, the Plott Hound is not hypoallergenic. Moreover, due to active oil glands (which protect their skin in the woods), they can trigger stronger reactions than “dry” breeds.

How much exercise does a Plott need?
A minimum of 2 hours of active movement per day. Just walking on a leash isn’t enough. They need running, fetch, swimming, or dog sports like agility.

Are they aggressive toward people?
They can be suspicious of strangers, but should not be aggressive without cause. They are very affectionate with their family. Human aggression is considered a serious fault in the breed.