Plott Hound
Also known as Plott
- Height at the withers
- 51 to 64 cm
- Weight
- 18 to 25 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 14 years
- Daily activity
- 90 minutes
- Origin
- North Carolina, United States
- FCI group
- Not recognized
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with children
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
- a home with cats
Overview
An athletic, streamlined and powerful scent hound with a distinctive brindle coat, known for its intelligence, its courage and its exceptional tracking ability. Originally bred to hunt big game, including bear and wild boar.
History and origins
Developed in the mountains of North Carolina by German immigrant Johannes Georg Plott from German Hanoverian Schweisshunds brought over in the 1750s. Refined over generations to hunt big game in the Appalachians.
Health
Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus
- Hip dysplasia
- Ear infections
- Mucopolysaccharidosis type VII
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Short, smooth coat. Moderate shedding, minimal coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- High, 4 out of 5
- Apartment
- Impossible, 1 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With cats
- Caution, 2 out of 5
- With strangers
- Polite, 3 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Hard, 2 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Poor fit, 2 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Very high, 5 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Minimal, 1 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Rarely, 2 out of 5
- Barking
- Very vocal, 5 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Good, 4 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
Plott Hound FAQ
How big does the Plott Hound get?
The Plott Hound stands 51 to 64 cm at the withers and weighs 18 to 25 kg. It is a medium-sized dog.
Does the Plott Hound shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs minimal care.
Can the Plott Hound live in an apartment?
It is not recommended: it needs space, ideally a house with a yard. Mind the neighbors: it barks readily.
How much exercise does the Plott Hound need each day?
Allow about 90 minutes of activity a day: its energy is high. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Plott Hound good with children?
Yes, it gets along well with children who respect it. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Plott Hound live?
Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are gastric dilatation-volvulus and hip dysplasia.
