Plott Hound: Strong and Loyal

The Plott Hound is one of the oldest dog breeds in the United States, with records dating back to 1750! This strong and loyal breed is known for its fierce hunting abilities and has been used for generations by hunters. It’s also an amiable and loving companion, making them an excellent choice for families looking for a new pet.

History of the Plott Hound

The Plott Hound’s story begins in Germany during the 18th century when Johannes George Plott, a German hunter, brought five Hanoverian Hounds to America. These hounds were then bred with local dogs to create what is now known as the Plott Hound. The breed was developed for hunting animals such as bears, boar, and deer in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina.

The most notable member of the breed was a dog named Lead, who was owned by Henry Plott, son of Johannes George Plott. Lead was an excellent tracker with an uncanny ability to find game. This earned him the nickname “Lead” due to his leadership abilities on hunting trips.

Today, the Plott Hound is still used as a working dog for tracking wild game such as bear, boar, and deer, but they are also becoming popular family pets because of their even temperament and loyalty.

They are still relatively rare outside of North Carolina. They remain loyal companions, whether out on a hunt or snuggling up next to you on the couch.

The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 2006.

Characteristics of the Plott Hound

They stand about 25 inches tall at the shoulder and typically weigh 45-60 pounds when fully grown. Their coats can be red brindle, black brindle, or tan in color, with short hair that requires minimal grooming aside from occasional brushing to remove dead fur or debris from their coat.

Loyal and alert, the Plott Hound is a steadfast, determined companion. They are known for their endurance and stamina, as they were initially bred to hunt bears. They have short, smooth coats in brindle, black, tan, or yellow shades. Their ears are long and floppy.

Here’s a list of characteristics of the Plott Hound:

• Short Coat: The Plott Hound has a short coat in brindle, black, tan, or yellow shades.
• Ears & Tail: They have long, floppy ears and feathered tails.
• Endurance & Stamina: These dogs are known for their remarkable endurance and stamina as they were bred to hunt bears.
• Temperament: Plott Hounds make great companions due to their loyalty and alertness, making them excellent watchdogs too!

The breed is relatively healthy, although some may suffer from hip dysplasia or eye problems like entropion or distichiasis, so regular checkups by a veterinarian are recommended for early detection of any health issues that may arise from time to time. Additionally, these dogs require plenty of exercise, including daily walks. Otherwise, they can become destructive when bored or lonely due to their high energy levels.

The Temperament of the Plott Hound

You’ll find that Plott Hounds make great companions, thanks to their loyalty and alertness – making them perfect watchdogs too! They are known for being independent thinkers, so they need a firm but loving hand during training.

The Plott Hound is an intelligent breed, and they can be assertive if not appropriately trained. Plott Hounds are generally friendly towards strangers but may bark to alert you if someone unfamiliar approaches your property. It’s important to gradually introduce them to new people while teaching them proper behavior when guests arrive at your house. With patience and consistency, you can help ensure your Plott Hound grows into a well-mannered canine companion.

The Plott Hound is an energetic breed that loves activities like agility trials or tracking games where they can use their scenting skills to search for hidden items or follow trails left by other animals. Though they have high energy levels, these sweet-natured pups typically settle down in the evening, making them great snuggle buddies after a long day of play!

Care Requirements for the Plott Hound

Plott Hounds make great family pets but need the proper care to keep them happy and healthy. They are active dogs that require daily physical exercise for their physical and mental well-being. Long walks or runs should be a part of a Plott Hound’s weekly routine, ideally supplemented with playtime in an enclosed area such as a yard or dog park. This breed also enjoys playing fetch with its owner and swimming whenever possible.

Plott Hounds have short coats that are easy to maintain, requiring only regular brushing to prevent matting. Bathing should be done when necessary; however, too much bathing can strip the coat of natural oils, so it shouldn’t be overdone. The ears should also be regularly checked for debris and wax buildup, which can lead to infection if left unchecked.

The mental health of a Plott Hound is just as important as its physical health. They require regular interaction with their owners, including training sessions and interactive playtime that challenge their minds and bodies to stay mentally stimulated. Additionally, providing plenty of toys will help keep them happy and occupied when you’re away from home or otherwise unavailable for playtime activities.

It’s essential to ensure your Plott Hound can always access fresh water. If you’re out on long walks or hikes, bring extra water if your pup gets thirsty during the journey! Additionally, feeding your Plott Hound high-quality kibble explicitly formulated for this breed will help keep it healthy by supplying essential vitamins and minerals for proper growth and development throughout its life cycle.

Is the Plott Hound Right for You?

The Plott Hound could be the perfect fit if you’re looking for a loyal companion who loves to stay active. This breed of dog is known for its intelligence and strong work ethic. The Plott Hound is an excellent hunter and guard dog, but it also makes a great family pet if given the proper care.

Here are some reasons why the Plott Hound might be right for you:

• Easy to Train: With consistent reinforcement, this breed can learn new commands quickly.
• Low Grooming Needs: This short-haired breed requires minimal brushing and occasional baths.
• Loyal Companion: The Plott Hound thrives on human companionship and will follow its master everywhere.
• Active Life Style: This breed needs plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy, so they’ll need daily walks or runs with their master.

The Plott Hound has some drawbacks, such as being prone to barking at strangers and other animals, which can sometimes make them unsuited to apartment living. They also require firm discipline from their owner to thrive, so potential owners must be prepared to provide consistent training and socialization early on in life for this breed to reach its full potential as a devoted companion animal.

However, this hardworking hunter could prove an excellent addition for any household willing to give it the love and attention it deserves!

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of environment is best for a Plott Hound?

Plott hounds are solid and active dogs that thrive in outdoor environments. They need plenty of space to run and play and should be taken on daily walks or jogs.

Plott hounds do best when kept in a large backyard with a high fence, as they can jump up to 6 feet! If you plan on keeping one indoors, give them lots of exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day, or they may become destructive.

How much exercise does a Plott Hound need?

Exercising your Plott hound is integral to being a responsible pet owner. The Plott hound needs regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. They are a working breed and need daily physical activity and mental stimulation.

To illustrate this point, imagine your Plott like an old-time steam train: it needs fuel in the form of food but also to be let off the leash to ‘let off some steam,’ or else it will become cranky and unhappy.

Make sure you give your Plott enough time each day for vigorous exercise – a good rule of thumb is around one hour per day – and plenty of opportunities for play, such as fetch or walks in different environments.

How much grooming is required for a Plott Hound?

Grooming a Plott Hound is relatively easy. They have short, smooth coats that don’t need much brushing or combing.

A weekly brush with a firm-bristled brush should be enough to keep their coat healthy and free of tangles. You may also want to trim the hair around the ears and feet to create a neat appearance.

A bath every few months will help keep the coat shiny and clean.

What health issues are common in Plott Hounds?

Plott hounds are generally considered to be a healthy breed. However, they can suffer from a few common health issues.

Hip dysplasia is a condition that affects the joints in dogs and can cause pain, lameness, and arthritis.

Other potential health problems include ear infections, eye conditions, and elbow dysplasia.

It’s essential to keep your plott hound up-to-date on their vaccinations and flea/tick prevention and bring them for regular visits with the vet for checkups.

What is the average lifespan of a Plott Hound?

The average lifespan of a Plott Hound is usually between 12 and 14 years, making them one of the longer-lived breeds. They tend to be relatively healthy compared to other breeds and can live up to 15 or 16 years with proper care.

You can extend their life expectancy further by providing regular vet checkups, good nutrition, and daily exercise.

Conclusion

You’ve learned a lot about the Plott Hound. This loving and loyal breed has been around for centuries, with its origins rooted in the wilds of Germany. It’s an intelligent and brave breed that excels at hunting wild game like boar and deer.

But beyond being an excellent hunter, it’s also a devoted companion to those it loves and trusts. The Plott Hound is more than just a great hunting partner; it symbolizes loyalty and friendship that will remain faithful through thick and thin.

With patience and consistency in training, this breed can make a great addition to any home if proper care is taken to meet its needs. If you’re looking for unconditional love, look no further than the Plott Hound!