Canis lupus familiaris
Plott Hound
Featured photoplott-hound.jpgThe Plott Hound is a seven-generation North Carolina mountain boar-and-bear hound from a 1750 German Hanover-hound import. The Plott Hound was developed by the Plott family of Cabarrus and Haywood Counties, North Carolina, beginning when 16-year-old Johannes 'Plott' brought five Hanover hounds (Hannoverischer Schweißhund) from Heidelberg, Germany to the Carolina mountains in 1750.
Quick facts
- AKC group
- Hound
- Origin country
- United States (North Carolina)
- Origin period
- Mid-18th century
- Coat type
- Short
- Coat colors
- Brindle (black, blue, brown, red, tan, buckskin, or grey brindle), Solid Black, Black with brindle trim
- Average lifespan
- 12-14 years
- Recognition
- AKC 2006 · UKC 1946
Origin
The Plott Hound was developed by the Plott family of Cabarrus and Haywood Counties in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, beginning when 16-year-old Johannes 'Plott' brought five Hanover hounds (Hannoverischer Schweißhund — boar and stag scent-hounds bred at the Hanover royal kennels) from Heidelberg, Germany to the Carolina mountains in 1750. The family bred the line for seven generations as a wild-boar and bear hunter and famously never sold a dog outside the family until the 20th century. The United Kennel Club registered the breed in 1946; the breed was named the official state dog of North Carolina in 1989 and the AKC admitted it in 2006.
Recognition
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 2006, the United Kennel Club followed in 1946.
Standard
The AKC and UKC standards describe a powerfully-built, well-muscled, athletic hound of the brindle coat for which it is famous, with a moderately long head, deep chest, and muscular hindquarters. The short, smooth, fine, glossy coat lies tight to the body. Recognized colours are predominantly brindle in any shade — black, blue, brown, red, tan, buckskin, or grey brindle — plus solid black and black with brindle trim. Males stand 56-71 cm at the withers, females 51-66 cm.
Sources & further reading (2)
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-04-30
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-30
Frequently asked questions
What is the Plott Hound's AKC group?
The American Kennel Club places the Plott Hound in the Hound Group. The Hound Group gathers breeds developed for the hunt, broadly split into scent hounds (Bloodhound, Beagle, Coonhounds) and sight hounds (Greyhound, Whippet, Borzoi). The breed's foundation working role was as a seven-generation North Carolina mountain boar-and-bear hound from a 1750 German Hanover-hound import.
When was the Plott Hound officially recognized?
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 2006; the United Kennel Club followed in 1946.
What is the average lifespan of a Plott Hound?
Kennel-club longevity surveys place the Plott Hound's average lifespan in the 12-14 years range. The figure here represents the spread reported by the major parent-club studies and the Kennel Club (UK) purebred-dog health surveys.
