The Plott Hound is a large
scent hound
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Scent hounds (or scenthounds) are a Dog type, type of h ...
, originally bred for hunting
bears. In 1989, the
North Carolina General Assembly
The North Carolina General Assembly is the Bicameralism, bicameral legislature of the Government of North Carolina, state government of North Carolina. The legislature consists of two chambers: the North Carolina Senate, Senate and the North Ca ...
designated the Plott Hound as the official State Dog.
The Plott Hound was first registered with the
United Kennel Club
The United Kennel Club (UKC) is a kennel club founded in 1898 in the United States. In contrast with the American Kennel Club, which is non-profit and which only clubs can join, the United Kennel Club is a profit-making corporation, open to indivi ...
in 1946. Plott Hounds were recognized by the
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit breed registry, registry of purebred dog pedigree (animal), pedigrees in the United States. In addition to maintaining its pedigree registry, this kennel club also promotes and sanctions eve ...
in 2006 and were exhibited at the
Westminster Show in 2008.
Chosen for their tracking and hunting abilities, two Plott Hound puppies have been trained as K9 deputies for the
Guilford County Sheriff's Department in North Carolina.
Appearance
The Plott Hound is generally athletic, muscular, and agile in appearance, with a medium build. Unlike some other hounds, the Plott Hound's skin is not baggy. The Plott Hound is a very strongly built yet moderate hound, with a distinct
brindle-colored coat. Its appearance suggests the capacity for speed, stamina and endurance.
They may have an identification mark on it that is used to identify the dog when hunting. Such a mark is not penalized in
conformation show
A dog show is an animal show; it is an event where dogs are exhibited. A conformation show, also referred to as a '' breed show'', is a kind of dog show in which a judge, familiar with a specific dog breed, evaluates individual purebred dogs ...
s.
Coat and color

The Plott Hound's fur should be fine to medium in texture, short or medium in length, and have a smooth and glossy appearance. According to the National Plott Hound Association, the dog's fur should be brindled. Brindled is defined as "Finely streaked or striped effect or pattern of black or tan fur with fur of a lighter or darker background color. Brindle shades accepted are yellow brindle, red brindle, tan brindle, brown brindle, black brindle, grey brindle, and maltese (slate grey, blue brindle)." Black with brindle trim and solid black are other acceptable alternatives.
The Association dictates that while some white on the chest and/or feet is permissible, white found anywhere else is a fault.
Size
A Plott Hound should measure approximately at the withers for males, for females. Males should weigh . Females should weigh .
History
Of the seven breeds of
United Kennel Club
The United Kennel Club (UKC) is a kennel club founded in 1898 in the United States. In contrast with the American Kennel Club, which is non-profit and which only clubs can join, the United Kennel Club is a profit-making corporation, open to indivi ...
(UKC) registered
coonhounds, the Plott Hound is the only one that does not trace its ancestry to the
foxhound. It is the only breed originating in North Carolina and only one of four breeds originating in the United States.
The
Plott Balsams, a mountain range in North Carolina, are named for the Plott family, whose ancestor, (Johannes) George Plott (c. 1733–1815), immigrated to North Carolina in the mid 18th century from Germany, settling in
Cabarrus County.
The Plott Hound breed of hunting dog is also named for the Plotts.
The ancestors of today's Plott Hounds were used for boar hunting in Germany. Originally from Germany, in 1750 Johannes "George" Plott emigrated to the English colony of North Carolina. He brought a few wild boarhounds (five
Hanover Hounds, used for bear and boar hunting)
with him. These dogs had been bred for generations for their stamina and gameness. George and his wife Margaret with their family settled in the mountains of western North Carolina, Carrabus County. Though there is no evidence that Plott ever went to western North Carolina, his son Henry settled
Haywood County around 1801 to 1810 (as the census discloses) and was responsible for the Plott Hound's later development.
Plott supposedly kept his strain entirely pure, making no outcrosses. In 1780, the Plott Hound pack passed into the hands of Henry Plott.
See also
*
Dogs portal
*
List of dog breeds
This list of dog breeds includes both Neontology#Extant taxa versus extinct taxa, extant and extinct dog breeds, Designer breed, varieties and dog type, types. A research article on dog genomics published in Science/AAAS defines modern dog breeds ...
References
Bibliography
* ''Strike and Stay: The Story of the Plott Hound'', Bob Plott, The History Press, 2007, ASIN: B0061S3YLW, pp. 25– 30
External links
*
Officialentry on American Kennel Club
Officialentry on United Kennel Club
{{American dogs
North Carolina culture
Dog breeds originating in the United States
Scent hounds
Symbols of North Carolina