In 1750, two brothers left Germany for the Americas. They brought with
them five Hanoverian Schweisshund (bloodhounds), which were known for tracking
wounded animals even over old trails. One brother, Johannes Georg, survived
the journey and began breeding the dogs where he settled in the mountains
of North Carolina. His family continued the breeding program, adding other
hunting breeds to strengthen the line, for the next two hundred years. As
the fame of these hunting dogs that were used to hunt bear and boar spread,
coon hunters began using them also. They have an open, unrestricted voice
which notifies the hunter of their location and activity. They are noted
for their stamina, endurance, agility and courage. They were recognized
by the American Kennel Club in 1998 and are in the Miscellaneous Class.
The Plott Hound is eager to please, loyal and intelligent. It is a bold
and fearless hunter.
The skull of the Plott Hound is moderately flat. It is rounded at the crown
with sufficient width between and above the eyes. The muzzle is of moderate
length. The bite is scissors. The eyes are brown or hazel with a confident,
inquisitive expression. They should not look sad. The ears are of medium
length, fairly broad and set high on the head. They hang gracefully with
the inside part folding forward toward the muzzle. They should have a spread
of seventeen to twenty inches and not extend below the nose. The neck is
medium in length and muscular. It should not have loose or folded skin.
The chest is deep. The topline gently slopes toward the hips. The back is
well muscled, strong and level. The legs are straight, smooth and well muscled.
The coat is smooth, fine and glossy. It must be thick enough to protect
the dog from wind and water. Some dogs are double coated with a soft, short
inner coat and a longer, smooth, stiff outer coat. Coat color may be all
black, black with brindle trim, any shade of brindle including yellow, buckskin,
tan, brown, chocolate, liver, orange, red, gray, blue or black. The brindle
coat may have a black saddle. Some white may appear on the chest and feet.
Average height is 22 inches. Average weight is 50 pounds.