Plott

Plott is the official breed name used by some registries for the Plott hound, a tough American scenthound developed in the mountains of North Carolina. The strain traces to German boar-hunting dogs brought by the Plott family in the eighteenth century, then selected for bear, boar, raccoon, and other game in rugged country. Plotts are muscular, deep-chested, and athletic, with a short coat most often seen in brindle patterns, black, or black with brindle trim. Their carrying voice and determination made them pack hounds, and the breed later became North Carolina's state dog.

A Plott can live as a family dog, but its background shows in daily life. It needs serious exercise, scent work, and secure fencing; a loose hound may follow a track far beyond calling distance. Many are warm at home yet intense outdoors, and early training should include recall practice, leash manners, and calm introductions to other dogs. The short coat is simple to maintain, though ears and feet need checks after hunting or long trail runs. Buyers should ask whether a line is bred mainly for big game, coon hunting, show, or companionship.

Colors: Apricot, Bicolor, Black, Black and Tan, Black and White, Black Mask, Blue, Blue and Tan, Blue Merle, Blue Roan, Blue Tick, Brindle, Brindle and White, Brown, Brown and Tan, Brown and White, Buckskin, Chocolate, Cream, Dapple, Domino, Fawn, Fawn and White, Gold, Gray, Harlequin, Irish Marked, Liver, Liver Mask, Mantle, Mask, Merle, Mottled, Parti-Color, Piebald, Red, Red and White, Red Merle, Red Roan, Red Tick, Reverse Brindle, Roan, Sable, Saddle, Silver, Speckled, Spotted, Tan, Ticked, Tricolor, Tuxedo, White, Yellow