Plott Hound Guide: Size, Weight, Temperament, Lifespan and Adoption Questions
Plott Hound facts and history
The ancestors of today's Plott Hounds hunted boar in Germany, and Jonathon Plott brought a few of these dogs to America and settled in the mountains of western North Carolina. With no wild boar in the new country, the family used the dogs to hunt bear. The United Kennel Club notes that the Plott and the American Leopard Hound are the UKC coonhound breeds that do not trace their ancestry to the foxhound. The United Kennel Club first registered the breed in 1946, while the AKC lists a recognition year of 2006 and places the breed in its Hound Group.
How big do Plott Hounds get?
The AKC calls the Plott Hound a medium-sized breed. The American Kennel Club gives 20-25 inches for males and 20-23 inches for females, while the United Kennel Club standard gives 22 to 27 inches for males and 21 to 25 inches for females. On Plott Hound weight, the American Kennel Club publishes 50-60 pounds for males and 40-55 pounds for females, whereas the United Kennel Club gives 50 to 75 pounds for males and 40 to 65 pounds for females.
Plott Hound temperament and personality
The AKC describes Plott Hounds with the words loyal, alert and intelligent. VCA Animal Hospitals says Plotts love hunting and family, are willing to please, yet are independent and can be stubborn. They are somewhat wary toward strangers and other dogs, and VCA describes them as fairly quiet house dogs that are generally good with children. The United Kennel Club standard describes the breed as active, fast, bright, kind, confident and courageous, and the AKC rates its vocalization as high.
Exercise and daily needs
VCA says Plotts need a good long walk every day and prefer exercise that lets them roam and sniff over fetching a ball in the yard. Because they like to hunt, fences need to be secure.
Grooming
The coat is short and smooth, and VCA suggests brushing about weekly to limit shedding along with routine ear, nail and dental care.
Training
VCA says Plotts tend to find formal training mildly amusing, but they like food and are willing to please. Plentiful rewards and short sessions suit them well.
How long do Plott Hounds live, and what health issues come up?
The AKC gives a general Plott Hound life expectancy of 12-14 years. VCA reports no major health problems of record, though some Plotts occasionally develop hip dysplasia, and it suggests asking your breeder or veterinarian about this.
AKC breed facts
These are the American Kennel Club’s general facts and 1 to 5 ratings for the Plott Hound as a breed. General tendencies don’t establish any one dog’s ancestry, personality or health; ask the listing organization about the dog you are considering.
- AKC group
- Hound Group
- AKC recognition year
- 2006
- Height (AKC published)
- 20-25 inches (male), 20-23 inches (female)
- Weight (AKC published)
- 50-60 pounds (male), 40-55 pounds (female)
- General life expectancy
- 12-14 years
- AKC size category
- Medium
AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)
- Energy: 4 of 5
- Mental enrichment: 3 of 5
- Trainability: 4 of 5
- Grooming frequency: 1 of 5
- Shedding: 2 of 5
- Vocalization: 4 of 5
- Drooling: 2 of 5
- Adaptability: 4 of 5
- Playfulness: 3 of 5
- Watchful or protective tendency: 4 of 5
- Affection toward family: 5 of 5
- Openness toward strangers: 4 of 5
- AKC child compatibility rating: 3 of 5
- AKC dog compatibility rating: 5 of 5
Health screenings AKC lists for the breed
Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.
- No recommended health tests
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).
Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 8, 2026.
References
- Breed Standards : Plott Hound | United Kennel Club (UKC) (opens in a new tab), United Kennel Club, checked November 8, 2026
- Plott | VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab), VCA Animal Hospitals, checked November 8, 2026
- Plott Hound - AKC breed profile (snapshot akc-2026-11-04) (opens in a new tab), American Kennel Club, checked November 4, 2026
