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Plott Hound Information & Dog Breed Facts

Collection of all the general dog breed info about Plott Hound so you can get to know the breed more.

Group Hunting Dogs
Popularity Rank166
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Plott Hound dog profile picture
OriginUnited States flagUnited States
Other Names
What other names does the Plott Hound have?
PlottPlotthund
Breed Type
What type of dog breed is it?
Purebred

Plott Hound Size and Weight

Size
Is a Plott Hound small, medium or large dog?

How big do Plott Hound get?

What is the average size of a Plott Hound?

Medium
Weight
How much does the Plott Hound weigh? How much should a Plott Hound weight? What is the normal weight of a Plott Hound? How much does a full-grown Plott Hound weight?
40-75 pounds (18-34 kg)
Average Weight
What is the average weight of a Plott Hound?
57.5 pounds (26 kg)
Height
How tall is the Plott Hound? Plott Hound height:
20-25 inches (51-63 cm)
Average Height
What is the average height of a Plott Hound?
Male: 23 inches (58,5 cm), Female: 22 inches (56 cm)

Plott Hound Price and Availability

Price
How much does the Plott Hound puppy cost? What is the price range of this puppy? What is the average price of a Plott Hound in the United States? How much money is a Plott Hound?

Where to buy a Plott Hound with a good pedigree?

$300-$500
If you choose to purchase the Plott Hound, you should know that the mentioned amount of money is an average of the collected data from breeders’ sites and puppy finder places. If you have a Plott Hound for sale, please advertise it on a reliable website to make sure the Plott Hound gets to a happy place.
Availability
How easy is it to get a Plott Hound? How many Plott Hound are there in the world?
Frequent: The Plott Hound is easier than average to get. Maybe there is some risk of overbreeding, as it is a popular breed.

Due to its popularity, inbreeding may occur. A new study shows that inbreeding contributes to the incidence of disease and health problems.

So be careful and seek the help of an experienced person or a professional, in making your decision.

Plott Hound Trainability and Intelligence

Intelligent Rank
How smart is the Plott Hound? Is the Plott Hound breed dumb or smart?
Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. Keep in mind that if you want to teach them any tricks, they understand and memorize new commands in 40-80 repetitions. Plott Hound obey the first command 30% of the time or better. So if you want to have a smart dog, you might have to reconsider your choice with this breed.

The Plott Hound ranks below average in the intelligence ranking of dogs.

Trainability
Are Plott Hound dogs easy to train? Do they go well on dog training? How hard is it to train a Plott Hound?
Plott Hound dogs are easy to train. They find out the association between commands and actions quite quickly.
Watchdog Ability
Is Plott Hound good as a watchdog? Are they alert at night?
Plott Hound dogs are average watchdogs. If they sense something different, they will alert you, but observation isn't considered their main job.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Do Plott Hound dogs have aggressive behavior to protect their home/house/territory? Do they have guarding instincts?
Plott Hound dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. This breed doesn't hesitate to protect its territory so the Plott Hound can be a good choice if you want an excellent guard dog. Keep calm and the Plott Hound will take care of unwanted people or animals.

Plott Hound Personality and Temperament

Temperament
What kind of personality does the Plott Hound have? What characteristics or traits does the breed have?
AlertCourageousLoyalBold
Sensitivity Level
How sensitive are they? Plott Hound sensitivity:
They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. Soft punishment affects them emotionally. Plott Hound dogs don't tolerate irregular daily routines, noisy households, and frequent guest visits really well.

They are receptive to their owner's emotions and make wonderful family companions.

Affection Level
How affectionate are they? Is a Plott Hound a good family dog?
Average: Plott Hound dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level. Some breeds are forthcoming and friendly, while others are independent and don't bond too closely with their owners.
Social Needs
How much social interaction does the Plott need? Plott Hound social needs:
Plott Hound dogs need for social interaction is average. This breed likes being around people or other animals, but they don't mind being left alone for a few hours either.
Impulse to Wander or Roam
How likely is the Plott Hound to run away? Does this breed explore or wander a lot? Does Plott Hound roam?
Plott Hound dogs have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. Safer to walk them on a leash unless you teach them how to get back to you on command. This breed is also able to cause damage to your fence.
Prey Drive
Do this canine have a strong prey drive? Does Plott Hound have high prey drive?
Plott Hound dogs have a high impulse to chase and catch something. Cats or any other small animals are in danger. It's a natural instinct, doesn't necessarily mean that Plott Hound dogs are aggressive. Better to keep this breed on a leash.

Plott Hound Activity and Playfulness

Playfulness
How playful is this breed?
The Plott Hound is a highly playful breed. Excited barking and sometimes nipping will alert you to play.
Barking
Do Plott Hound dogs bark a lot? Are they barkers/noisy? Why does my Plott bark?
Average: The Plott Hound barks occasionally. They can change their barks depending on their emotional level and what they're trying to say. Different barks could mean the same and the same barks could have different meanings.

Top reasons for barking: protection, alarm, fear, boredom, attention-seeking, greeting, separation anxiety, compulsive barking.

Apartment Friendly
Is Plott Hound good as an apartment dog? Can they live in a flat? Can you have a Plott Hound in an apartment?
Not an apartment-friendly dog the Plott Hound breed. If you don't have a garden, think carefully about your decision, keeping Plott Hound indoors can cause a lot of problems.

Plott Hound Adaptability and Independence

Adaptability
Are they adaptable and easy-going?
Average: Plott Hound dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.
Tolerates Being Left Alone
How long can a Plott Hound be left alone? How long can you leave a Plott Hound alone?
Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. With proper socialization and quality time with the dog can solve this problem.

Plott Hound Bite Characteristics

Bite Force PSI
Does the Plott Hound has a hard bite? What is the bite force of a Plott Hound? How much bite force does a Plott Hound have? How strong is a Plott Hound bite?

Between 200 and 400 PSI

Plott Hound bite force: Ordinary. Bite force Plott Hound measurements typically fall within the range of 200 to 400 PSI. The bite force of a Plott Hound is considered ordinary when compared to other dog breeds, but it is still quite powerful. This Plott Hound bite force PSI can cause bite wounds. Plott Hound bite PSI is not something that should be feared if the dog is well-trained and managed. To avoid any issues, it's essential to learn how to train a Plott Hound puppy not to bite from an early age.

The Plott Hound, and many others, have a fearsome presence because they have significant jaw strength, so it is important not to anger the dog and have it around strangers until it is fully trained.

However, they are usually quite calm and good companions, they work well in families and are easy to care for.

In conclusion, while the Plott Hound bite force is certainly an interesting aspect of the breed, it is important not to let it overshadow the many other reasons why these dogs are so loved and respected. With proper training and socialization, a Plott Hound can be a loyal and protective companion for your family.

Biting Potential
Do Plott Hound bite humans? How likely are you to get bitten from the Plott? What are the odds of getting bitten by a Plott Hound? Why do dog bites happen?

Low 🔽

The Plott Hound has a low chance of biting somebody. Top reasons for dog bite: protection, pain, excitement, herding instinct, being provoked. (Data based on the available online bite statistics.)
Mouthiness
How much mouthing/nipping/play biting does the Plott Hound do?
Plott Hound dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. It's a common habit during puppyhood, not aggressive behavior. These "bites" don't hurt, but Plott Hound dogs need to be taught a good attitude.

Plott Hound Health and Lifespan

Health Issues
Is it a healthy or unhealthy breed? Do Plott Hound dogs have health problems or genetic diseases?
Plott Hounds tend to have a lot and frequent health issues. Regular vet check-ups are essential with this breed.
Veterinarian Visits
How often does the Plott Hound breed need to go to the vet? How often should you take your dog to the vet? How often should the Plott Hound see the vet?
Frequent
The Plott Hound should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year. If your dog shows any symptoms, call your veterinarian.
Life Expectancy
How long do Plott Hound dogs live? How old can a Plott Hound be? What is the age limit of the Plott Hound? How many years can the oldest Plott Hound live?

What is the average life expectancy / lifespan of a Plott Hound?

How long is the lifespan of a Plott Hound?

12-14 years
The average lifespan of Plott Hound: 13 years
Weather and Climate
Which weather condition is preferred by this dog? Can they tolerate hot or cold weather and climate?
Prefers average to warm weather conditions
Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. However, in general, most dogs prefer average to warm weather conditions, as they typically find hot weather conditions to be uncomfortable and taxing.

Plott Hound Energy and Activity

Energy Level
How much energy does the Plott Hound have? What is the activity level of the Plott Hound?
Plott Hound dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. If you want a dog for snuggling on the couch, this breed isn't the perfect choice for you.
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
How much exercise does a Plott Hound need? How much exercise do Plott Hound dogs require per day?

Do Plott Hound dogs need a lot of exercises?

Plott Hound dogs need a lot of exercises. Long walks should be on a daily schedule. If you live an active life, this breed can be a good choice for you.
Sleeping Need
How much sleep does the Plott Hound breed need?
Plott Hound dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping. If you live an active life, this breed can be a good choice for you.

Plott Hound Diet and Weight Management

Average daily food consumption
How much food does a Plott Hound need? What dog products should I buy? How much food does a Plott Hound breed eat per day? What is good dog food for Plott Hound? How much food should I feed my Plott Hound?
2.5 to 3.5 cups of a high-quality dog food daily, divided into two meals.
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity
How easy to gain weight for this dog? Plott Hound risk for obesity:
Average: The Plott Hound has an average risk for obesity. Daily walks should be on schedule. To make your dog happy and fit, feed him with quality dry dog food and live an active life together. Try to find the happy medium between exercise and feeding.

If you notice any weight gain, consult your veterinarian and make a diet plan. Reduce unhealthy food and snacks, and measure the Plott Hound weight regularly.

Plott Hound Allergies and Grooming

Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat does the Plott Hound have? What does this canine coat/fur look like?
Fine
Colors
What color is the breed's coat? What color are proper Plott Hound coats?
BlackTan Red Blue Brown
Grooming
How to groom the Plott Hound and how often? How often should I take my Plott Hound to the groomer?
Effortless: The Plott Hound requires minimal grooming. Seasonal flea treatment is needed, but cutting the dog's hair by a professional groomer isn't necessary.

Ears and eyes should be cleaned sometimes to avoid infections. Plott Hound is one of the best choices if you don't have the time, skill, or money to take care of a high-maintenance dog.

Highly recommended for beginners.
Shedding Level
How much do Plott Hound dogs shed? How to control, reduce and prevent the shedding of the Plott? Do Plott Hound dogs shed a lot?
Plott Hound dogs shed none to minimal. Having a puppy from this breed you don't have to be afraid of your couch or car being covered by dog hair. Plott Hound dogs could be the best choice if you don't tolerate dog hair.
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
How often does the Plott Hound need a bath? How often should you give a Plott Hound a bath? Can I bathe my Plott Hound every day?
3-4 weeks
More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. While a good bath every now and then is a great way to keep your buddy from becoming overly smelly, be mindful about overbathing.

Bathing will wash away your dog’s natural oils, while a simple brushing every few days should keep them clean.

Hypoallergenic
Is the Plott Hound breed hypoallergenic?
No
Plott Hound dogs don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing allergic reactions. Some dog breeds are even considered to higher possibility of an allergic response. Coat type isn't necessarily relevant, because most people are allergic to dander (flakes on the dog's skin) or saliva, not actually to dog hair.
Stinkiness
How stinky is this dog? Why does it smell bad and how to get rid of the smell?

Medium

The Plott Hound has an average chance of bad smell. Top reasons for dog stinkiness: infection of bad tooth/ear/skin folds, gas attacks.
Drooling Tendency
Does the Plott Hound drool?
The Plott Hound drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed. Drooling is the unintentional saliva flowing outside of the mouth. It can be completely normal or a sign of a health problem. Certain dog breeds drool more than others, just like the Plott Hound.

If you notice any change in your dog's drooling habit, you should contact a vet as soon as possible.

Plott Hound Good With

Pet Friendly
Are they pet-friendly dogs? How well do Plott Hound dogs get along with other pets? Are Plott Hound dogs good with pets? What is this canine temperament with other pets?
Plott Hound dogs usually don’t get on well with other pets.
Stranger Friendly
Are they aggressive or friendly towards/with strangers? Plott Hound temperament with other people:
Plott Hound dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.
Child Friendly
Are Plott Hound dogs kid-friendly? Are they good with young children? Plott Hound temperament with children:
Plott Hound dogs are kid-friendly dogs. This breed is a good choice if you have children.
Cat Friendly
How well do Plott Hound dogs get along with cats? Are they good with kittens? What is this fido's temperament with cats? Can they be good with cats? Can the Plott Hound breed live with a cat?
Plott Hound dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Friendly
Is Plott Hound good with other dogs? Are they dog-friendly dogs? How well do Plott Hound dogs get along with other dogs?
Plott Hound dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.
Good For First Time Owners
Is Plott Hound breed good for first-time owners? Do they make a good dog for novice owners? Is Plott Hound breed suitable for first-time owners?
Yes
Plott Hound dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly
Are Plott Hound dogs good office canines? Do Plott Hound dogs make good office-friendly pets? Can they be office dogs?
No
Plott Hound is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly
Are they senior citizens friendly dogs? How well do Plott Hound dogs get along with the elderly people? What is the Plott temperament with senior people? Are Plott Hound dogs good for elderly owners?
Plott Hounds are usually recommended for elderly people.

Plott Hound As a Working Dog

Service Dog
Are they good as service dogs? Can Plott Hound be a guide dog? Are they used as seeing-eye dogs?

Not really

This breed generally not used as a service dog. A service dog is a term used in the USA to refer to any type of assistance dog specifically trained to help people who have disabilities, such as visual impairment, hearing impairments, mental disorders, seizures, mobility impairment, and diabetes. Service dogs are protected under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

Plott Hound is not the best breed for service purposes.

Therapy Dog
Are they good as therapy dogs? Can Plott Hound be a therapy dog? Are they good anxiety dogs? Can a Plott Hound be an emotional support animal?

Not really

This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. A therapy dog is a dog that might be trained to provide affection, comfort, and love to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and people with anxiety disorders or autism.

Plott Hound is not the best breed for therapeutic purposes.

Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog
Are they good as detection dogs? Can Plott Hound be a sniffer dog?

Not really

They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.

Plott Hound is not the best breed for detection purposes.

Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)
Are they good as SAR dogs? Can Plott Hound be a search and rescue dog?

Not really

This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and locating missing people.

The Plott Hound is not the best breed for SAR purposes.

Boat and Sailor Dog
Are they good as boat dogs? Can Plott Hound be a boat dog?

Not really

Plott Hound breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.

Boat dogs were typically bred for their strength, stamina, and water resistance, as they were often required to perform tasks such as pulling in fishing nets, and jumping into the water to retrieve ropes or lines, or helping to move cargo.

Sailor dog is a type of dog that was bred to accompany sailors on their voyages. They were typically used for three purposes: as a working dog, a watchdog, and as a companion. A boat dog is a term used to describe a type of dog that was traditionally bred and used as a working dog on boats.

Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog
Are they good as cart pulling dogs? Can Plott Hound be a drafting dog?

Not really

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. Dogs bred for this work have strong builds and qualities that are needed, strength and determination.

Plott Hound is not the best breed for drafting purposes.

Fighting Dog / Military Dog
Where Plott Hound dogs used as fighting / military dogs in history?

Not really

In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Plott Hound Reproducibility

Gestation Length
How long is a Plott Hound pregnant?How long does it take to have puppies? How to tell if the Plott Hound breed is pregnant?

60-64 days

Reproductive cycle of the female Plott Hound: The first period called Proestrus lasts for about 9 days.

During this time the females start to attract males. You can notice by swelling vulva and bloody discharge.

The second part is the Estrus when the female is receptive for the male. It lasts for about 3 to 11 days.

The sign of the proestrus part is the soft and enlarged vulva. The discharge decreases and lightens in color.

The third part is the Diestrus. Normally, it occurs around day 14. In this period the female’s discharge changes for vivid red and coming to its end. The vulva returns to average, and she will no longer permit mating.

The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time frame between heat periods normally lasts about six months.

Litter Frequency

Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy. It is very important not to buy a dog from a puppy mill, where the needs of the pups and their mothers are ignored. It's an inhumane high-volume dog breeding facility, where puppies born several times a year.
Litter Size
How many puppies can the Plott Hound have in a litter? How many puppies can the Plott Hound breed have for the first time? How many puppies does a Plott Hound have? How many puppies can a Plott Hound give birth to?
6-10 puppies

Plott Hound Recognition

AKC Group
Is Plott Hound recognized by the American Kennel Club?
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2006 as a Hound breed.
FCI Group
Is Plott Hound recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)?
Not recognized by FCI.

Plott Hound Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Trainability: Plott Hound dogs are easy to train.
  • Grooming: Effortless: The Plott Hound requires minimal grooming.
  • Shedding Level: Plott Hound dogs shed none to minimal.
  • Child Friendly: Plott Hound dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
  • Senior Citizens Friendly: Plott Hounds are usually recommended for elderly people.
  • Good For First Time Owners: Plott Hound dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Cons
  • Intelligent Rank: Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one.
  • Health Issues: Plott Hounds tend to have a lot and frequent health issues.
  • Hypoallergenic: Plott Hound dogs don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing allergic reactions.
  • Apartment Friendly: Not an apartment-friendly dog the Plott Hound breed.
  • Drooling Tendency: The Plott Hound drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed.
  • Impulse to Wander or Roam: Plott Hound dogs have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world.
  • Cat Friendly: Plott Hound dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs.
  • Office Friendly: Plott Hound is not the best dog breed for office environment.

Plott Hound History

The Plott Hound is descended not from English Foxhounds, but from five Hanoverian Schweisshunds, in other words, Bloodhounds. The Hanoverian was developed by crossing an ancient, huge, trailing hound, resembling Saint Hebert with lighter and faster hounds. The Plott Hounds were brought to an English colony in North Carolina in the United States in 1750 by a German immigrant named Johannes Georg Plott. In Germany the dogs were originally used as boarhounds, however, after Mr. Plott and his wife settled in the mountains, and there he trained his dogs to hunt bears. Even though, there is no existing evidence proving that Plott ever went to North Carolina, Henry, his son, from 1801 to 1810 has settled there and was responsible for the Plott Hound’s later development. Decades after that, it is believed that Plott’s descendants continued his tradition to bred Hounds in the mountains, and so, later they became known as Plott Hounds. Up until the 1870s, the breed kept his strain entirely pure, making no outcrosses under the hands of Henry Plott.

As the number of breeders increased, they had to spread throughout the Smoky Mountains, with each hunter adding his own signature touch to the breed’s characteristic, and then, eventually returned to the dogs’ original roots by being used to hunt wild boar in addition to bear. The dogs were also used to hunt mountain lions and thanks to their better treeing ability, raccoons.

In the early 1900s, an additional scenting talent and the coat’s black-saddled brindle pattern was added to the breed’s characteristic when breeders crossed the Plotts with some black-and-tan hounds brought by a hunter just visiting North Carolina, who had been breeding his own outstanding strain of “leopard spotted dogs”. This was the first known instance of new blood being integrated into the Plott Hound’s existing DNA. The Plott Hound’s voice can be easily distinguished by a loud, ringing chop on the track and the tree, although bawl or squall trailing mouths are also acceptable.

The United Kennel Club registered the breed in 1946, as coonhounds where the Plott is the only that does not trace its ancestry back to foxhounds. Later in 1989, the Plott Hound became North Carolina’s official dog. At an AKC (American Kennel Club) Board Meeting, in 2006 the Plott Hound became eligible to compete in the Hound Group, and it was decided to present them in the show rings too.

Nowadays, the breed is still relatively rare, nonetheless, it’s often found in the mountains of the Smokies, Appalachia, and other wilds parts of the country where the hunting skills are still used and appreciated. The breed is still fancied by German gamekeepers. Today, most Plott Hounds trace their pedigrees back to two legendary hounds crossed with each other, named Boss and Tige.

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Plott Hound Comments, Reviews and Questions

  • Campbelle

    May 9, 2020, 12:36:34 AM:

    He is the best boy.