Plott Hound Dog Breed Information

Group

Hounds

Weight

18-34 kg

Height

53-68 cm

Lifespan

12-14 years

Jump To

About the Plott Hound

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

Plott’s hounds bred a somewhat different dog breed with a very tenacious character for his hunting adventures. Soon enough, this new breed became widespread across the globe and now can be found in most countries worldwide.

What makes this dog special? Feel free to learn more about the Plott hound in this detailed guide that informs owners on how to take care of this canine and a brief history of how it came to be.

What is the history & origin of the Plott Hound?

Plott hounds are a breed of American descent and are one of the few dog breeds from this country that the American Kennel Club recognises. Historians report that Johannes Plott, the first person to breed this dog, immigrated to the United States from Germany, bringing five Hanover hounds as hunting dogs.

Be that as it may, Plott hounds started getting bred officially in North Carolina, with a viral following in this U.S state. For example, this hunting dog is famous for being the official North Carolina state dog, and Guilford County uses Plott hounds for their K-9 unit.

The Plott family continued breeding this breed because he passed on his breeding knowledge to Henry, his son after Johannes died. At the time, the Plotts tried to maintain a pure breed with no outcrossing hound breeds. The American Plott Association has taken the responsibility of ensuring strict breeding standards are being followed.

What is a Plott Hound breed?

United Kennel Club breed standards bear some critical criteria for any Plott hound breeder. The standards note that albinism is a disqualification criterion. Therefore, Plott hounds are still maintained to be a genuine pure breed.

These dogs got bred originally to hunt wild boar, but they have since joined different dog sports competitions. Additionally, the Plott hound is domesticated to learn family dog traits. Therefore, the Plott hound is much more than just a hunting companion, but it can be a family member in a loving home.

Who is a Plott Hound best for?

If you are for a thrilling hunt, Plott hounds are the perfect companion because of their fearlessness. Despite this breed being suitable for hunting, it plays well with other dogs since it usually hunts in a pack. It can blend in well with a large pet family and be a valuable asset for families in need of a guard dog.

With early socialisation, the Plott hound is also very good with children. It can get very protective and loyal as an adult dog to its owner’s children as time goes on. First-time dog owners can adopt this pup and not face too many problems even if they have other animals in their homes.

Plott Hound Grooming & Shedding

One of the best characteristics of the Plott hound is that this breed does not require extensive grooming effort. Its outer coat can do well with weekly brushing because Plotts do not shed much.

You can make the job easier by using a rubber curry brush to remove any dead hair from your Plott puppy. Try to ensure that you use a soft bristle brush when removing dog hair to avoid causing discomfort to your Plott hound since the skin is not as loose as other dogs’.

Do Plott Hounds bark a lot?

When a Plott barks, the voice will most likely get a reaction from strangers. The broad and highly audible bark is not something you will often hear unless something suspicious happens.

As scent hounds, this breed is not that vocal, and this is perfect for a family guard hound to warn about any potential threats. In most cases, a Plotts does not bark a lot when left alone for long periods. Instead, they will resort to other activities to consume their high energy levels.

What is the average weight & height of a Plott Hound?

Generally, this breed tends to have medium-large weight and size. True purebred Plotts range from 53cm to 68cm. At that size, they weigh mostly 18kg to 34kg. Their weight and size make an excellent hunting breed for big game-like boars and even bears. At this size, these hounds need their daily nutritious meal intake to be on point.

Are Plott Hounds easy to train?

With proper training, Plott hounds can learn a lot of valuable traits and personality characteristics. For example, your hound can learn how to interact with young kids safely and master tactics for protecting minors.

It is relatively easy to train a Plott because of its nimble mind and personality that piques its eagerness to please. Even beginners can teach Plotts a few essential tricks for daily living and hunting.

How do Plott Hounds behave? A look at their temperament and personality

A Plott hound seems like a vicious dog used to hunt big game, even mountain lions. However, Plotts are amiable dogs, especially towards their family. Even if you have multiple pets, this hound plays well with other breeds and even species.

They have high mental stimulation levels that need to get catered to with vigorous exercise, which could be long walks or track running. But, on the other hand, if you get a Plott hound at a young age, it can become fiercely loyal as an older dog, ready to protect its family from even large-sized threats.

Does the Plott Hound have any common health issues?

Plotts are generally healthy hounds, but they might suffer from genetic health problems, especially at a more advanced age. Hip dysplasia is one of the health problems that could manifest itself.

On the other hand, gastric torsion could also manifest its symptoms due to this breed’s deep chest. Apart from that, Plott hounds are not prone to severe health issues. Maintaining a good exercise routine can mitigate any health conditions that could result from a sedentary lifestyle.

What is the lifespan of a Plott Hound?

The Plott hound spends most of its time outdoors, running wild and exhausting its high energy levels throughout its life span. But, unfortunately, there comes a time when this hound has to go to its eternal rest.

Although a Plott hound’s life span largely depends on other aspects such as health and wellness, it generally takes between 12 to 14 years for this breed to retire. There are so many memories you can make with your pup within this timeframe, and this hound, in particular, can live a full life before death takes its due course.

How much does a Plott Hound need to be fed?

The best way to feed this powerful hunting hound is to organise two servings of dry kibble within 24 hours. Kibble is the best food for this avid hunter to prevent tooth decay and other health conditions.

Instead of organising one large meal, try to spread out servings into at least two daily meals. Highly nutritious meals are needed for the Plott hound to match its high energy levels and daily physical activity.

How much can you expect to pay for a Plott Hound in Australia?

You can get this hound from a responsible breeder in Australia for approximately $1500 with all the necessary health clearances and vaccination status. Getting a pup from reputable breeders can save time from microchipping and all the required wellness checks.

Alternatively, you can save a young Plott hound by approaching shelters run by rescue groups to adopt this pup instead of going to a pet store or breeder. You get double the benefit because a homeless dog gets saved, and you save some extra cash when you adopt.

Plott Hound FAQs

Are you interested in adopting a Plott hound? Find out more about this breed in this FAQ list that may answer some of your queries.

Do Plott dogs suffer from separation anxiety?

Surprisingly enough, this dog is very obedient and can manage to keep to itself even when left alone for more extended periods. Plotts are not prone to suffering from separation anxiety because they tend to entertain themselves when their owners are away. Unlike some hunting hounds, they are unlikely to destroy household items in your absence.

How do I tell if my dog is a Plott?

Various organisations have become invested in ensuring that the purity of this breed gets preserved. As a result, plenty of online resources can either qualify or disqualify a dog as a Plott or not. Some of that criterion includes weight and size as well as visual appearance.

For a hound to get recognised as a Plott, it has to be between 55cm and 68cm when it’s a male. The female’s height range is 53cm to 63cm. Also, unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism is a disqualification criterion.

Do Plott dogs get along with cats?

When this breed has been introduced to other pet family members, such as cats earlier, they can coexist pretty well. However, if a Plott grew up as the only pet, it might resort to treeing a cat, especially outdoors, on rare occasions.