Plott Hound
About the Plott Hound
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Large (50-100 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 20-25" |
| Weight | 40-60 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $500-$1,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,100/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Plott Hounds may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
- Guard Dog
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
- Long Work Hours Away
Guides for your Plott Hound
The story behind the Plott Hound
Tradition credits the breed to the Plott family, German immigrants who settled in the mountains of western North Carolina in the eighteenth century and brought hunting hounds with them. Over generations in the southern Appalachians those dogs were bred for bear and wild boar hunting, work demanding endurance at altitude, courage at close quarters and a voice that carried through timber. Selection stayed in family and local hands for a long period, with occasional crosses to other regional hounds, and the brindle colouring became characteristic. The breed was recognised by the United Kennel Club in the mid twentieth century and named the state dog of North Carolina; American Kennel Club recognition came considerably later. Plotts remain primarily working hounds, used for big-game hunting across the American South and beyond, with comparatively few kept purely as companions.
Originally bred for: Bear hunter, wild boar hunter, big-game trailing hound. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Plott Hound
This is a hard-working, muscular hound that benefits from a nutrient-dense complete diet with sufficient protein and fat, increased during active hunting seasons and reduced during quieter months. Deep-chested build makes unhurried, divided meals and rest around feeding sensible practice.
Watch for: No breed-typical food intolerance is recognised. Like other deep-chested hounds, Plotts are worth feeding calmly and in more than one sitting as general caution. Discuss persistent digestive or skin problems with a vet before altering the diet.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Plott Hound
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.