Collection: Personalised Plott Hound Gifts

This is the original ‘All American’ dog and the reason why this designation is important is that not many breeds actually originate from the USA. The Plott Hound is classified as a Coonhound and emerged from the Mountains of North Carolina, bred to serve the homestead in all its different roles. The Plott Hound hunted bear and wild boar, guarded, herded livestock and kept the family safe.

The Plott Hound became the official dog of North Carolina in 1989 and are a popular choice for search and rescue organisations because of their keen noses derived no doubt from their bloodhound ancestry. Rather famously, they were used by the Emperor of Japan in 1960 to hunt bears that were marauding through certain villages, attacking the inhabitants and their animals.

The ancestors of the Plott Hound include the Hanoverian Schweisshundens which is a bloodhound, introduced to North Carolina in 1750 and mixed with local breeds to develop what is referred to as a Coonhound.

The foundation Schweisshundens came with two German immigrants to North Carolina in 1750 and it is their surname which the breed carries to this day. The multi-purpose dog they bred had to contend with potentially large and savage prey out hunting and also manage the rough and challenging terrain of the mountains in western North Carolina.

The Plott Hound is still used as a hunting dog today in the States and has slowly gained recognition through official American breed organisations but is still not well known even in its home country.

There are no two ways about it, the Plott Hound is an active working dog so does need a reasonably knowledgeable rural home with expert care. They have a strong streak of independence which is common in hunting dogs but this can be well managed by an experienced dog owner to produce a loyal and affectionate family member. The Plott Hound requires plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to be a happy dog in the home.