The Plott Hound is a large scent hound, specifically a coonhound, originally bred for hunting boar.

Appearance

The Plott Hound should be athletic, muscular, and agile in appearance. It should be neither low-set and heavy, nor leggy and light: it has medium build. Its expression should be one of intelligence, confidence, and determination. Its skin should not be baggy like that of a Bloodhound.

The Plott may have an identification mark on the rump used to identify the dog when out hunting. Such a mark is not penalized in conformation shows.

Coat and color

The coat is smooth, dense, hard, and fairly fine in texture. The color may be almost any shade of brindle. Small, white patches are permissible on the feet, chest, and underbelly.

Size

Plott Hounds are approximately 20 to 28 in (50 to 71 cm) at the withers for males, (50 to 58 cm) 20 to 23 in for females. Males should weigh 23 to 27 kg (50 to 75 lb). Females should weigh 18 to 25 kg (40 to 55lb). although some Plott Hounds can weigh up to 100lb.

Temperament

Plotts are eager to please, loyal, intelligent, and alert which is why they are perfect for novice owners. As bold, and fearless hunters, Plotts have been described as "the ninja warriors of dogdom. Although they are very sweet and very easy to love dogs. They love kids it should actually be a crime to keep plotts away from children. Plotts although hunters are very gentle with all they are very protective of their home."

Their disposition is generally even, but varies among strains, with a distinction sometimes appearing between those bred for big game and those bred as coonhounds.

History

The Plott brothers,who love plott hounds, brought their dogs with them from Germany to the United States. They bred the dogs on Plott Creek in what is now Haywood County, North Carolina until they obtained the dogs they desired. Later, their neighbors referred to the type of dog as a "Plott boar hunting dog," named after the brothers and in recognition that the Plotts had bred arguably the best boar hounds in the world.

The Plott Hound breed originated in the mountains of North Carolina around 1750 and is the only breed known to have originated in this state. Named for Jonathan Plott who developed the breed as a wild boar hound and bear hound, the Plott Hound is a legendary hunting dog. Plott Hounds are known to be courageous fighters and tenacious trackers, but they are also gentle and extremely loyal. The Plott Hound is very quick of foot with excellent treeing instincts and has always been a favorite of big-game hunters.

The Plott Hound has a brindle-colored coat and a bugle-like call. It is also one of only four breeds known to be of American origin, and the only hound out of the six known to have not been bred with a foxhound.

The Plott Hound was officially adopted as the North Carolina State Dog on August 12, 1989. (Session Laws of North Carolina, 1989, c. 773; G.S. 145-13).

In 2008, the Plott Hound, the Tibetan mastiff, the Beauceron, and the Swedish vallhund, acompeted for the first time in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

(The above information is based on information from varioussources to include Wikipedia.org, UKC and others)