Plott Hound
The Plott Hound is the only coonhound breed without British ancestry — it was developed in North Carolina by the Plott family from Hanoverian Schweisshunds (German bloodhound-type dogs) brought from Germany by Johannes Georg Plott in 1750.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
United States
Lifespan
11–13 years
Weight
20–27 kg (45–60 lbs)
Height
51–58 cm (20–23 in)
Exercise
40 to 60 min/day
Diet
Omnivore — high-quality food for an active large hound.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The Plott Hound is the only coonhound breed without British ancestry — it was developed in North Carolina by the Plott family from Hanoverian Schweisshunds (German bloodhound-type dogs) brought from Germany by Johannes Georg Plott in 1750. The Plott family maintained the breed exclusively for five generations in the Great Smoky Mountains, never outcrossing to other hound breeds. It is the official state dog of North Carolina. While other coonhounds were developed for treeing small game, the Plott was specifically developed for trailing and baying large and dangerous game — bear, boar, and mountain lion — in the rugged Appalachian mountain terrain.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
A large, athletic, well-muscled hound with a distinctive brindle coat — the only coonhound to be primarily brindle in colour. The coat is short, dense, and glossy. The Plott has a slightly leaner, more athletic build than the broad-headed Bloodhound-descended coonhounds.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Brushing
1x-Weekly
Bathing
Every-6-8-Weeks
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Bold, alert, and determined — the Plott is the most intense and determined of the coonhound breeds. More aggressive toward large game than most coonhounds. Loyal and intelligent.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
3/5Attention Need
3/5Friendliness
4/5Playfulness
4/5Protectiveness
3/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
House-Large-Garden
Daily Exercise
40 to 60 min/day
Ideal Weather
5°C to 30°C
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
30%
Attention
30%
Playfulness
40%
Communication Style
Stress Signals
baying, pacing, destructive behaviour, escape attempts, restlessness
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •1.5–2 hours vigorous exercise daily. Very low grooming. Strong prey drive makes multi-pet households challenging.
Nutrition Notes
Working hound — needs quality protein. Generally the healthiest of the coonhound breeds. Few breed-specific dietary concerns. Active dogs need calorie-dense food.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Hip dysplasia — screening recommended. Bloat possible (deep chest). Generally very healthy breed. North Carolina state dog. Only coonhound not descended from English Foxhounds (German origin). Hardy, athletic, long-lived (12-14 years).
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
1300 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
900 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Hip dysplasia. Bloat (GDV). Generally a healthy, robust mountain hunting breed.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
American breed — rare outside USA. Brindle coat pattern is distinctive among coonhounds. India: practically unavailable.
Purchase Price
$500 to $1,500
Adoption Fee
$50 to $300
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The Plott Hound is the only AKC coonhound breed without British Foxhound or Bloodhound ancestry — its lineage traces entirely to the Hanoverian Schweisshund (German scent hound used for tracking wounded game), brought to America by a single German immigrant family in 1750.
The Plott family maintained the breed exclusively for five generations — from 1750 to the early 20th century, no outside blood was introduced, making the Plott one of the most purebred American dog breeds in terms of consistent family stewardship.
