This standard was framed  for the purpose of furnishing suggestions for breeding to the breeders in their aims towards improving the breed to higher ideals in their breeding, to try and establish a nationwide breed of this particular hound strain of bloodlines to look alike and to have a universal conformation.
History of the Plott Hound
             Of the six breeds of U.K.C. registered Coonhounds, only the Plott Hound doesn't trace it's ancestry to the foxhound; and of the breeds, we can be most certain of the Plott's heritage and the men most responsible for it's development.
             The ancestors of today's Plott were used for boar hunting in Germany many years ago. Johnathon Plott left his native Germany and came to this country in 1750. He brought a few wild boar hounds with him. These dogs had been bred for generations for their stamina and gameness. Plott and his family settled in the mountains of  western North Carolina.
              In those days there were no wild boar in this country. Johnathon Plott used his dogs for hunting bears. Plott supposedly kept his strain entirely pure, making no outcrosses. In 1780, the Plott pack passed into the hands of Henry Plott.
              Shortly after that time a hunter living in Georgia who had been breeding his own outstanding strain of "leopard spotted bear dogs" heard of the fame of the Plott Hounds and came to North Carolina to see for himself. He was so impressed that he borrowed one of Plott's top stud dogs for a year to breed to his own bitches. This single cross is the only known instance of new blood being introduced into the Plott Hound since they first came to this country.
              Other crosses possibly took place around the year 1900. G.P. Ferguson, who was a neighbor of the Plott family in North Carolina in those days, was a major influence on the Plott breed. He made a careful study of the Blevins hounds and the Cable hounds of that era. To what extent he used these bloodlines in his Plott breeding program, is not known.
               The Plott Hound was first registered with United Kennel Club in 1946. Today's Plotts are known for their great courage and stamina. They have a clear voice that carries well.
Head: Carried well up, dome is moderately flat, moderate width between and above the eyes.

Ears: Set moderately high and of medium length, soft and no erectile power.

Eyes: Brown or hazel, prominent, no drooping eyelids.

Muzzle: Moderate length, but not square.

Teeth: Scissor bite preferred, even bite acceptable.

Shoulders: Muscular and sloping to indicate speed and strength.

Chest: Deep, with adequate lung space.

Back: Slightly arched, well muscled and strong, not roached.

Hips: Smooth, round, proportionately wide, flanks gracefully arched, muscular quarters and loins.

Tail: Moderately heavy, strong at root tapering there, rather long with brush, carried free, well up, saber like.

Legs-Front: Straight, smooth, forearm muscular. Straight at knees, perfectly in line with upper leg.

Legs-Hind: Strong and muscular above the hock, slightly bent at the hock, no cow hock, speedy shaped and graceful.

Feet: Round solid, cat foot, well padded and knuckled, set directly under leg.

Color & Coat: The National Plott Hound Association's definition of the word " brindle":" a fine streaked or striped effect or pattern of black or tan hairs with hairs of a lighter or darker background color. Shades of colors accepted: yellow brindle, red brindle, tan brindle, brown brindle, black brindle, grey brindle a maltese (slate grey, blue brindle)" Grey muzzle accepted.

Coat: Hair fine to medium coarse, short or medium length, to give a smooth and glossy appearance.

Color: Brindle or black with brindle trim. No solid colors accepted. Some white on chest and/ or feet permissible. White not permitted elsewhere on dog. Should have a streaked effect.

Voice: Open trailing, bawl and chop.


Height: Males: 22" to 27" at shoulder. Females: 21" to 25" at shoulder.

Weight: Males: 50 to 75 pounds. Females: 40 to 65 pounds.

Characteristics of this Breed
           Active, fast, bright, kind, confident, courageous, vicious fighters on game, super treeing instinct; take readily to water, alert, quick to learn, have great endurance and beauty.

Points:
(revised as of January 1, 1976)
Head ........................................10
Neck ........................................5
Shoulders ................................10
Chest & Ribs ..........................10
Back & Loins .........................15
Hindquarters ..........................10
Elbows ....................................5
Legs & Feet ............................20
Coat & Color ..........................5
Stern ........................................5
General Make-Up ...................5
    Total  ...................................100