PLOTT HOUND Breed Standards
In 1750, George Plott arrived in America with five Hanoverian Hounds, and for seven generations his descendants bred their dogs in the mountains of North Carolina. The dogs came to be called by the family name and were well known as coonhounds. The Plott’s original purpose however was to hunt bears, and small groups of Plotts have been known to tree or even bring down a 500-pound bear. A skilled trailer of cold scents, the Plott is still used to hunt such game as mountain lion. Only one known cross has ever been made in the history of Plott hounds, with the tan and black saddled Blevins, resulting in the black saddle of some Plotts today.
The Plott is one of the handful of breeds originating in the United States, and the only of those few breeds without British ancestry. Also the only breed from North Carolina, the Plott was named state dog on August 12, 1989. Because the Plott family only rarely sold its dogs, the breed is rare outside the southern United States. Though the breed makes a good companion, it is generally used for hunting. The Plott entered the AKC registry on August 1, 1998, and was admitted to the Miscellaneous Class on October 1, 1998
SKILLS: A hunting hound of striking color that traditionally brings big game to bay or tree, the Plott is intelligent, alert and confident. Noted for stamina, endurance, agility, determination and aggressiveness when hunting, the powerful, well muscled, yet streamlined Plott combines courage with athletic ability.
SIZE: Size - Height - Males - 20 to 25 inches at the withers. Females 20 to 23 inches at the withers. Proportion - General conformation and height in proportion. Faults: Extremely leggy or close to the ground. Weight - (in hunting condition) Males - 50 to 60 pounds. Females 40 to 55 pounds. Substance - Moderately boned. Strong, yet quick and agile. Faults: Overdone. Carrying too much weight and or to much bone to display speed and dexterity.
COAT: Smooth, fine, glossy, but thick enough to provide protection from wind and water. rare specimens are double coated, with a short, soft, thick inner coat concealed by a longer, smoother and stiffer outer coat.
Color - Any shade of brindle (a streaked or striped pattern of dark hair imposed on a lighter background) is preferred. This includes the following brindle factors: yellow, buckskin, tan, brown, chocolate, liver, orange, red, light or dark gray, blue or Maltese, dilute black, and black. Other acceptable Plott colors are solid black, any shade of brindle, with black saddle, and black with brindle trim. A rare buckskin, devoid of any brindle, sometimes appears among litters; ranging from red fawn, sandy red, light cream, and yellow ochre, to dark fawn and golden tan. Some white on chest and feet is permissible as is a graying effect around the jaws and muzzle.
CARE REQUIRED: The short coat of the Plott Hound is easy to groom. Comb and brush occasionally to remove the dead hair. Check the ears often to make sure they are clean and infection free. After hunting they should be checked for torn nails, split pads on their feet, torn ears, and fleas and ticks.
CHARACTER: Eager to please, loyal, intelligent, alert. Aggressive, bold, and fearless hunter. Disposition generally even, but varies among strains, with a distinction sometimes appearing between those bred for big game and those bred as coonhounds.
EXERCISE: The Plott Hounds need a lot of physical exercise. This well-muscled and rather lean- boned dog has the endurance and stamina to work all day and well into the night. The Plott Hound should have chances to run free but is born a natural hunter and has a tendency to run off and hunt if they are not kept in a well fenced area while exercising off the lead.
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: The Plott Hound is not recommended for apartment life. They can live and sleep outdoors provided they have proper shelter. This breed has no road sense at all and should be kept in a safe area becase they have a tendency to wander.
TRAINING: Socialize this breed at an early age and be sure to teach it simple obedience like walking on a leash.
