If you want a hunting dog then the Plott Hound could be the dog for you. This dog specializes in what is called a big game, meaning large animals such as boars and bears, but it will hunt anything that you are hunting.
Now…
If you aren’t a hunter, or only hunt rarely, but can satisfy this dog’s nature yearning to hunt and be active then this dog can be a watchdog, a good companion, and also does well with life in a family. Because this dog has short hair it is relatively easy to groom but it will probably shed.
But…
Just because we here at IndulgeYourPet happen to really appreciate the Plott Hound dog breed doesn’t automatically mean that it’s going to be the “right” dog for you. This is why we wanted to take a moment and discuss exactly what it might be like to own one of these awesome animals.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Plott Hound Dog Breed Facts
Country of Origin: United States
Original Purpose: Tracking, large game trailing
Weight: 38 to 62 pounds
Height: 22 to 26 inches
Dog Breed Classification: Hound group
Life Span: 11 to 15 years
History of the Plott Hound Dog Breed
Interesting fact, the Plott Hound is the only coonhounds (named because they were often used to hunt raccoons and other such creatures) that is not a decedent of a Foxhound.
You see…
Way back in 1750, the ancestors of the Plott, five Hanoverian Schweisshund (Hanoverian hounds) which is a type of bloodhound used for boar hunting, accompanied the German immigrant Johannes Georg Plott and were probably mixed with other dogs at the time.
Which is why…
Unlike other “coon hounds” the Plott Hound is not actually related to the Foxhound. The Plott Hound is also unique because, while it has German ancestry, it actually comes from a mountain ridge in Western North Carolina known as the Plott Balsams which is a sub range of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Appalachian Mountains.
Now…
Early on Plotts had many jobs other than just hunting including; protecting the home, driving livestock, and watching out for the safety of the children in the family.
Nowadays…
This coonhound breeds continues to be employed in many avenues which include; tracking cougars for tagging by wildlife agencies, some are show dogs (excelling at agility), and others continue to use their hunting heritage.
In fact…
The “equipment” used by the emperor of Japan, in 1960, to rid the countryside of bears which were terrifying villages, was 10 Plotts.
But it’s not only…
Japan that loves the Plott Hound, which is evident by the fact that in 1989 the Plott became North Carolina’s official state dog. In 1946 the United Kennel Club recognized this breed as did the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2006.
Temperament of the Plott Hound Dog Breed
As with all dog breeds it is a good idea to do your research before getting one. While the Plott will not only love and protect the children he is raised with he needs a firm and patient leader to bring this side out. So, if you are not an experienced dog owner this breed will not be for you.
Now if you ask us…
Here at IndulgeYourPet, all dogs must be trained with positive reinforcement and patience but it is especially important when training a Plott to remember that they have the typical hound traits of being independent and stubborn.
It is also…
Good to remember without regular practice a Plott is likely to forget much of what he learns. As with most children this dog learns well with repetition and be having a positive and experienced role model.
And always…
Remember to always treat your dog kindly. Plotts especially have a long memory for dogs and people who have wronged them and sometimes they seek to even the score.
Additionally…
Plotts have a tendency, when they are bored, have treed a squirrel, or when they go hunting to be quite noisy. This dog has what is called ‘a bawl mouth,’ which is when a dog barks and it is long and drawn-out. So, if you live in close quarters, with your neighbor, remember that they might not appreciate your dog’s voice as much as you do.
We should also note that…
Plotts in particular are excavators and explorers, and with their exhaustive curiosity it means that they are great escape artists. If your pen or fenced yard isn’t strong and secure enough your Plott will have no problem escaping.
So…
Needless to say, this is a dog that will need a lot of attention and exercise, needing long walks at least twice a day to work the fidgets out. Off leash, runs in a safe place or some strenuous hikes are needed at least once, but more like twice a week, as a way to exercise your dog. And of course, if you hunt, your Plott will love to go with you.
The good news is…
Unlike some other “hound” dogs, if your Plott is brought up with other animals they will do fine with them, but remember every dog is an individual so this is not always the case. With other dogs of the same sex they have been known to assert themselves and be territorial. The disposition of your Plott also depends on if it was bred and trained to be big game hunters, which will make them more aggressive, where as if they are trained and bred for little game they will be less aggressive.
Training
A Plott puppy needs to be trained early on. Even when a puppy is 8 weeks old they have the ability to learn everything that you are able to teach them. If you are unfortunate enough to wait until your Plott puppy is 6 months old it will be much harder to train because your puppy is already maturing into a headstrong dog.
If possible…
Try and get your puppy into a training class, puppy kindergarten per say, by the time that they are 10-12 weeks old so that they can socialize and begin to learn how to work. You need to be aware though that a lot of training classes require your dog to have certain vaccines (rabies, parvovirus, distemper, etc.) completed prior to enrolling. In these cases, in lieu of formal training you can socialize your dog with family and friends.
Also…
When selecting a dog speak with the breeder and inform them of what you are after in a companion and they will help you in choosing the right puppy, Breeders are with the puppies daily and can make great recommendations. When thinking of what you are wanting in a Plott it is helpful to look for a puppy that has parents with pleasant personalities and were socialized in early puppyhood.
Grooming
The Plott has a coat that is fine and soft yet still thick enough to shelter the dog when hunting in rough wet or cold conditions. There are some Plotts that have what is called a double coat which means that there is an undercoat that is soft, short and dense and then on top there is stiffer and longer hair. When looking at grooming you will need to use a rubber curvy brush which will distribute the skin oils but will also remove the dead hair. Also, if you find that hair is winding up on your furniture then you will want to brush him more often. When you have a Plott with a double coat you will find that they do shed which means that they will need to be brushed every few days.
But be aware…
Scent hounds (which are what a Plott is) often times have what some describe as a musty odor. Thus, regular baths can often assist in keeping the odor under control but know that this may be something you will need to live with. Otherwise the care of a Plott is pretty basic and includes; nail trims, teeth brushing, and cleaning and keeping their hanging ears dry.
Plott Hound Dog Health Concerns
While all dogs have a potential of developing health condition that are genetic in nature, do not get a Plott from a breeder that doesn’t give some kind of health guarantee for their puppies. Any breeder that is reputable will be honest about a breed’s health problems and the incident rate that they occur in their lines. To find a reputable breeder you can consult the National Plott Hound Association or the American Plott Association.
Overall…
Platt hounds are generally healthy, but as with all dogs there are some conditions that they are more predisposed to. Since Plotts have a deep chest, they can be prone to such things as:
- Bloat (gastric torsion); breeders often call it a ‘twisted gut.’
- And hip dysplasia.
Cost
- Gastric torsion: $1750-$7750
- Hip Dysplasia: $1800-$6500
This is why…
We here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now will a pet insurance policy be right for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
