The plott hound is one of the few in the family of coonhounds who can trace their heritage back with complete certainty to the early 1700’s. While the Great Dane originated in Germany centuries before the plott hounds were developed, they were both designed and bred for hunting wild boars. As you might imagine, this task was a dangerous, exhausting, and arduous one, where only the strongest, fastest, and fittest could endure. Plott hounds were made famous in the Americas when their creator, Jonathan Plott, brought his beloved and pure pack to North Carolina. As there were no wild boars for his hunting machines to take care of, he put their keen and courageous talents to use for treeing bears instead. An instant hit they were, and soon gained the attention of an avid hound breeder who traveled from Georgia just to improve his own breeding stock with their fine lineage.
Plott hounds are to stand no more than 30 inches at the whither, though 27 inches is more common and acceptable for the dogs. The bitches should fall slightly below in both height and weight, gaining around 25 inches at full maturity. The maximum weight of these talented and loyal hunting dogs is about 75 pounds, and this is primarily made up of lean muscle. He should appear to be slender yet powerful, with bright, prominent eyes and a willing, friendly nature. His gait is smooth and effortless, and he tends to flatten out when on the trail of his query.
Plott hounds are also known as the brindled hound, and no other coat type is permissible as breed standard. White is only allowed on the feet and on the chest, and even the slightest deviance from this is cause for disqualification for breeding and show purposes. The only solid under color allowed is black, and this has to be nicely brindled over the back and through the legs in order to qualify as an acceptable solid and brindle coat. The brindle can come in any variance of colors otherwise, and this offers a large variety to those who love plott hounds. The blue brindled is perhaps the most difficult coloration to procure, as it can not be bred in, and is therefore considerably special when it shows up in a litter.
If you choose to share your family and home life with plott hounds, you will find that you have made a great choice. These dogs are prone to great affection and are never hostile unless taking down prey. They do well with a medium sized fenced in yard, though they may be more prone to long naps in the shade than chasing squirrels. Children are welcomed and adored by the plott, as long as they are introduced correctly and taught to respect the dog and his tender areas.
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