Plott Hound – The Loyal Scenthound

Hunting is considered one of the most common types of canine tasks. It has been around since ancient times, and various breeds were classified as hunting dogs. When a dog hunts, it uses the entire body to capture its target. And when we say the whole body, that includes the legs, eyes, mouth, and of course, the nose.

Most of us might already know about the incredible smelling ability of dogs. However, not all dogs possess a keen sense of smell; only some breeds are known to be effective hunters using their exceptional noses. Such breeds are called scenthounds.

From the name itself, scenthounds are fascinating dogs that primarily use their nose when tracking down a target. Depending on the breed, a scenthound could smell its target several miles away. This skill proves to be incredibly useful in the field, not just in hunting but also in other canine jobs. There are many dogs identified as scenthounds in our world today; one of them is the loyal and intelligent Plott Hound.

Plott Hounds are best known for their exceptional sense of smell and superior intelligence. Like any other hunting dog, Plotts are equipped with an athletic body, which allows them to work effortlessly in the field. A loyal and trustworthy dog: the Plott Hound is a breed that would surely capture the attention of many dog lovers.

Origins of the Plott Hound

Upon hearing the Plott Hound’s name, we might get curious about its origins. The Plott Hound is a native breed in North Carolina, but if we trace back its roots, we can see that this dog’s ancestors came all the way from Germany.

The Plott Hound has a fascinating history, which dates back to the mid-18th century. During this time, a German immigrant Johannes Plott went to North Carolina, along with five Hanover hounds. The Hanover hounds were native dogs from Germany, which possess excellent traits. It is believed that this dog is the ancestor of the Plott Hound.

After Johannes Plott arrived in North Carolina, he went to the mountains and settled there with his family. Obviously, living in the mountains is not an easy thing to do. Every day always sees a risk of getting attacked by wild animals, such as bears and other big mammals. Thankfully, Plott came to the mountains prepared. The Hanover hounds he brought with him became a significant help in keeping intruders away, as well as hunting bears.

During their settlement in the mountainous area, the Hanover hounds already proved their usefulness in the field as hunting dogs. Because of the breed’s potential, Johannes Plott’s son, Henry, made a brilliant move to preserve and improve the Hanover hounds. He bred the dogs and produced a better hunting dog that specializes in big mammals, which he initially called the “Plott’s hound.”

Plott’s hound was further developed over the years, and it gained recognition for its outstanding hunting skills. The breed’s name was recognized as the Plott Hound in honor of its founder, Henry Plott.

Characteristics of the Plott Hound

Height: 20 – 25 inches

Weight: 40 – 60 pounds

Life Expectancy: 12 – 14 years

Hypoallergenic: No

One thing that you would notice in a Plott Hound is its unique coat. You can easily recognize its coat because of its brindle-stripe patterns that come in various colors. In addition to this, many other physical characteristics make the Plott a truly admirable breed. Medium-length ears hang on its head, giving it an alert and independent appearance.

As a hunting dog, the Plott Hound showcases a medium-large-sized body; it stands up to twenty-five inches tall and weighs up to sixty pounds. This size is perfect for hunting since it allows the Plott to move swiftly in the field with the help of its muscular legs. Besides its athletic body, superior intelligence is also another asset of the Plott Hound. It uses its wits to get the job done in various ways, mostly with the help of its keen sense of smell. The Plott Hound is identified as a scenthound since it relies on smell to track down a target. A strong sense of smell is very useful in the field, and it could be used in various types of canine tasks, such as search-and-rescue operations. Because of the Plott Hound’s remarkable traits, it is considered North Carolina’s state dog.