| Description. The Plott is a medium sized dog being | | | | consideration, with this breed, are other pets in the |
| some 20-24 inches in height, and weighing 45-55 | | | | house as this is a fearless hunting dog, there may be |
| pounds. They're muscular in appearance with a long tail | | | | problems with other pets. This is especially true with |
| and medium sized hanging ears; their overall look is | | | | smaller animals, but as it was originally bred to hunt |
| somewhat reminiscent of a Labrador. Colouration of | | | | bears, even larger pets may be seen as a challenge. |
| the coat can be any shade of brindle, which is a | | | | Health issues. The breed is considered very hardy and |
| motley effect, they can also come in solid black or a | | | | lives between 12 and 14 years. It does have a |
| mix the two, White in the area the chest and or feet is | | | | tendency to eat very quickly, which can make it |
| also common. They can be quite fast dogs and have | | | | susceptible to some gastric problems, bloat, torsion, |
| a level of stamina that allows a high standard of | | | | and intestinal twists. These dogs should only be |
| endurance. One of the distinctive factors for this breed | | | | exercised a reasonable time after they are eaten, to |
| is webbing between the toes. Commonly, they will | | | | reduce the incidence of these problems. |
| have a single coat although double coats are not rare. | | | | Grooming. The Plott hound, with its short coat is fairly |
| History. The dogs were introduced to America by | | | | easy groom. All that is necessary is occasional |
| Jonathan Plott, who originally came from Germany | | | | combing and brushing to clear out any debris and shed |
| with his brother. They had taken with them five | | | | hair. Whilst grooming it is a good idea to check that the |
| Hanoverian hounds, which are used in Germany for | | | | ears are free of infection, and are clean. If the dog is |
| the hunting of wild boar. These then became mixed | | | | used for hunting then on return you should check their |
| with more indigenous dogs. The dogs were bred by | | | | feet and coats for any signs of ticks or fleas etc |
| the family 200 years and today's Plott dog is the result. | | | | Living conditions. This breed can live outdoors if |
| The family were looking for hunting dogs to help hunt | | | | adequate protection is supplied for them. However, |
| raccoon and bear in the Appalachian hills and Blue | | | | great care should be taken if you live near roads as |
| Ridge areas. Their fearless nature is due in no small | | | | they have no road sense whatsoever. They enjoy a |
| part to this breeding. | | | | lot of exercise and are well suited to long brisk walks |
| Temperament. They are sprightly, quick, active, quite | | | | or even jogging, you jog the dog runs alongside. They |
| clever, and are courageous with an excellent level of | | | | do enjoy the chance to run free, but you must bear in |
| confidence. Instinctively they are determined fighters | | | | mind they are natural instinctive hunters, and whilst free |
| when set upon game or are defending. They are not | | | | may decide to chase smaller animals. Ideally, they are |
| commonly a pack animal and are not particularly | | | | suited to a house with a medium to large garden which |
| sociable with other dogs, but they do enjoy and seek | | | | is fenced off and secure, they are not suited to |
| out the company and attention of humans. They are a | | | | apartment life. They are not particularly playful, but the |
| good family pet when sufficiently exercised. However, | | | | throwing of balls, sticks, etc. and playing chase in the |
| it should be borne in mind that as instinctive hunters | | | | garden will exercise at least some of their natural |
| they may not interact well with small children. Another | | | | hunting instincts. |