Plott Hound

History

Of the seven breeds of United Kennel Club (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 Plott family. 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 George 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. George Plott supposedly kept his strain entirely pure, making no outcrosses. In 1780, the Plott Hound pack passed into the hands of Henry Plott.

Appearance

The Plott Hound is a medium-sized, athletic, and muscular scent hound bred originally to hunt bears. Unlike many hounds, its skin is not loose or baggy. Its build suggests speed, stamina, and endurance, and it is known for a distinctive brindle coat. Hunters sometimes mark the dog for identification, and such marks are not penalized in conformation shows.

The coat is fine to medium in texture, short or medium in length, smooth and glossy. According to the National Plott Hound Association, the fur should be brindled, meaning a finely streaked or striped pattern of black or tan on a lighter or darker background. Accepted brindle shades include yellow, red, tan, brown, black, grey, and maltese (slate grey or blue brindle). Solid black or black with brindle trim are also acceptable.

White is allowed only on the chest and feet; white elsewhere is a fault. Males stand 20 to 25 inches at the withers and weigh 50 to 60 pounds; females stand 20 to 23 inches and weigh 40 to 55 pounds. The breed is the only one of the seven UKC-registered coonhounds not descended from the foxhound, and it is the only breed originating in North Carolina. Its ancestors were German wild boarhounds brought to North Carolina in 1750 by Johannes George Plott.

The Plott family kept the strain pure, and Henry Plott later developed the breed in Haywood County. The Plott Balsams mountain range is named for the family.

The breed was first registered with the UKC in 1946, recognized by the AKC in 2006, and exhibited at Westminster in 2008. In 1989, it became the official state dog of North Carolina. Two Plott Hound puppies have been trained as K9 deputies for the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department.