Now the professional state canine of North Carolina, the Plott’s roots spring from Germany. Hanoverian Schweisshunds have been valued for their capacity to hunt wild boars and track game even over week-old trails. In 1750, 16-year-old Johannes Georg Plott introduced 5 of those puppies to his new home in the Great Smoky Mountains. The Plott family bred their line of cold-trailing brindle puppies for seven generations, the dogs distributed across the Smoky Mountains as their family grew. Other mountain men integrated the Plott blood into their lines of puppies, but tales disagree as to the extent brought different strains t to the Plotts. It was not until the early 1900s that documented crosses with other lines were made to enhance the Plott strain. At that point, Gola Ferguson crossed his Plotts with a strain of black-saddled hounds referred to as Blevins or Great Smokies, producing “Tige” and “Boss,” hounds of such skills that even the Plott family incorporated their blood back into their line. This brought the black-saddled brindle pattern into the breed. Almost all Plotts may be traced back to any such puppies. In 1946 the breed ultimately received the official name of Plott Hound when the UKC identified it. It is the only UKC coonhound breed that doesn’t trace back to foxhounds. In 1989 it was designated the official nation canine of North Carolina. In 2006 the AKC admitted the Plott into the Hound Group.

Temperement

The Plott’s first nature is to smell up a cold path and follow it to the end, but the Plott makes the transition to their family canine with ease, being keen to please and loyal. This is a courageous breed and, as befitting any good hound, maybe headstrong. Plotts may be cautious of strangers; however, they usually warm up quickly. They aren’t as gregarious with different puppies as a few hounds and may be protecting when pushed. They may also trail and chase different animals and so must have conscientious guardians.

Upkeep

Plotts are easy keepers; however, they should have a securely fenced yard. They want a dog or human companionship and an opportunity to work out outdoors in play or on well-supervised forest hikes. They rejoice in swimming. Coat care is minimal.

Health

“Major diagnosis: none
Minor diagnosis: none
Occasionally seen: CHD
Suggested tests: (hip)
Life span: 11–13 years”

Disclaimer

Note: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet.