Thursday, August 2, 2012

All About the Plott Hound

By Jerry Welsh


Did you know that the Plott Hound which is considered to be the hardiest of the breeds of coonhounds did not originate from a foxhound like other coonhounds do? This is only one of the unique qualities of a Plott Hound. In US of A this breed of hunting dog is classified as a coonhound. But unlike other breeds of hounds that specialize in hunting raccoons, this hound is really a big game hunter. The Plott Hound is preceded by its reputation of having the strength, the agility and the ability to pursue large game thus it is practically an insult on the capabilities of this hound if it will be utilized merely to hunt raccoons.

The Plott Hound is actually a German breed that was brought by German immigrants to the United States. In 1750, Hanoverian Schweisshunds were brought by Jonathan Plott to North Carolina. In Germany, these dogs were used to hunt boars but as there were no boars in North Carolina the dogs were utilized to tree raccoons and to hunt large game like bears and mountain lions. These very strong and fast dogs were known as Plott Hounds.

Just by looking at the medium sized well muscled and strong boned body, it will be easily apparent that the Plott Hound is strong and powerful. A Plott Hound has a shiny smooth coat that comes in several color variations. Most Plott Hounds though would have a brindled coat. A distinct physical feature of this breed is the webbed toes. A Plott Hound pursuing a prey would carry its tail high over the back.

People that have chosen to share their home with a Plott Hound have made a wise decision. Any body that had the chance of hunting with this dog would be amazed by its hunting abilities as well as the fierceness and its strength. This breed is a through and through hunter but it can also be an outstanding family companion.

These hounds are pack oriented thus a Plott Hound that has become a pet can get along well with other pet dogs of the family. Highly intelligent, this dog can easily adapt to new situations. A Plott Hound though has the typical hound stubbornness thus it would need socialization and training to make the dog easier to control. Another plus in keeping this breed for a pet is its minimal grooming requirements but being a working breed this dog would have high exercise requirements. This dog is not a good choice if the owner is an apartment dweller. Being a working breed, this dog needs to let off steam thus an hour a day of exercise would be necessary.




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