Breed guide

Plott Hound

NC's state dog. Rare, vocal, healthy. German boar-hunting heritage. One of the healthiest hound breeds.

AKC Rank

#163

Size

large (40-60 lbs)

Life Expectancy

12-14 yrs

Activity

high

Feeding a Plott Hound

North Carolina's state dog. ~1,200-1,500 kcal/day. Remarkably healthy breed.

Key nutrients

•high-quality protein
•omega-3

Portion notes: Two meals daily.

Fresh food picks for Plott Hounds

Our recommended fresh-food subscriptions for large dogs.

fresh food

The Farmer's Dog

Fresh, human-grade food portioned for your dog

•Human-grade fresh food
•Portioned per dog
•Vet-developed recipes
•50% off first box

See The Farmer's Dog →

fresh food

Ollie

Fresh food with both cooked and baked recipes

•Fresh and baked recipes
•Turkey, beef, lamb, chicken proteins
•Custom portions
•60% off first box

See Ollie →

fresh food

Nom Nom

Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing

•Pre-portioned pouches
•Vet-formulated
•Microbiome testing available
•50% off first order

See Nom Nom →

fresh food

Spot & Tango

Fresh or UnKibble — whole-food nutrition, your choice

•Fresh or UnKibble options
•Human-grade ingredients
•Shelf-stable storage option
•50% off first order

See Spot & Tango →

First-year cost

What a Plott Hound actually costs year one

Breed-specific estimate based on size, health concerns, and grooming needs. Excludes purchase/adoption fees (highly variable).

First-year total

$3,775-$7,100

Ongoing years run $2,880-$5,200 (no gear + training one-times).

Food (year one)

Fresh food subscription

$2,400-$3,650

Gear (one-time)

Crate, bed, harness, bowls, toys

$420-$600

Vet care

Wellness + breed-specific

$480-$950

Grooming

low grooming needs

$0-$120

Training

Puppy class + supplies

$225-$750

Supplements

Breed-matched, optional

$0-$480

Other first-year

Vaccines, neuter, DNA test

$250-$550

Pet insurance (estimate)

Not included above — shown for planning. Breed-risk adjusted.

$670-$1,172/yr

Estimates based on US market averages for large dogs. Your costs will vary with lifestyle and region.

Supplements for Plott Hounds

Matched to this breed's common health concerns. All NASC-sealed.

supplements

Cosequin (Nutramax)

The #1 vet-recommended joint supplement

•#1 vet-recommended
•NASC Quality Seal
•Glucosamine + chondroitin
•Clinically studied

See Cosequin (Nutramax) →

Supplements support — they don't treat or cure disease. Talk to your vet for anything clinical.

Health concerns to watch

hip dysplasia

bloat (GDV)

ear infections

Only AKC coonhound NOT descended from English Foxhound — German boar-hunting ancestry.

Vocal — baying and barking are breed features.

Needs space to run; not an apartment dog.

Generally very healthy with few hereditary issues.

Gear for Plott Hounds

Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.

Crate

for Plott Hounds

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Harness

for Plott Hounds

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Bed

for Plott Hounds

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Collar

for Plott Hounds

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Leash

for Plott Hounds

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Slow feeder bowl

for Plott Hounds

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Chew toy

for Plott Hounds

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As an Amazon Associate, Barkly earns from qualifying purchases.

Training for Plott Hounds

Matched to Plott Hound temperament (bold, loyal, alert).

training

GoodPup

1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers

•1-on-1 live video sessions
•Certified trainers
•Custom per-dog plan
•Weekly structure

See GoodPup →

training

BAXTER & Bella

Online puppy training program, lifetime access

•Lifetime membership
•Self-paced video lessons
•Puppy + adult content
•Behavior troubleshooting

See BAXTER & Bella →

training

Dogo

App-based training with daily structure

•App-based daily plans
•AI-guided feedback
•Affordable monthly cost
•Trick training library

See Dogo →

GPS trackers for Plott Hounds

Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.

gps tracker

Fi

Smart collar with GPS + activity tracking

•Real-time GPS
•Activity + sleep tracking
•Escape alerts
•3-month battery

See Fi →

gps tracker

Tractive

Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range

•Attaches to any collar
•Worldwide GPS coverage
•Activity monitoring
•Budget-friendly

See Tractive →

Curious about their DNA?

Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.

dna

Embark

The most comprehensive dog DNA test

•350+ breeds identified
•250+ health conditions screened
•Cornell-partnered science
•Relatives finder

See Embark →

dna

Wisdom Panel

Breed identification + health screening

•350+ breeds
•Genetic health insights
•Budget-friendly option
•Fast results

See Wisdom Panel →

Plott Hound questions, answered

How long do Plott Hounds live?▾

Plott Hounds typically live 12-14 years. Good nutrition, regular vet care, and weight management are the three biggest factors in reaching the top of that range.

How big do Plott Hounds get?▾

Adult Plott Hounds typically weigh 40-60 lbs and stand 20-25 inches at the shoulder. That makes them a large breed.

How much exercise does a Plott Hound need?▾

Plott Hounds are a high-activity breed. Plan on 60-120 minutes of vigorous exercise per day. Mental stimulation (training, puzzle toys) matters as much as physical exercise.

What health problems do Plott Hounds commonly have?▾

Plott Hounds are most prone to: hip dysplasia, bloat (GDV), ear infections. Preventive vet visits, a quality diet, and weight management reduce risk on most of these. Reputable breeders screen for the genetic conditions.

Are Plott Hounds hard to groom?▾

Plott Hounds need minimal grooming — weekly brushing and occasional baths are enough. Their short coat is low-maintenance day-to-day.

What should I feed a Plott Hound?▾

North Carolina's state dog. ~1,200-1,500 kcal/day. Remarkably healthy breed. Key nutrients to look for: high-quality protein, omega-3.

Are Plott Hounds good for first-time owners?▾

Plott Hounds are generally suitable for first-time owners with basic commitment. They're bold, loyal, alert. Plan for consistent training from day one.

Ask Barkly about your Plott Hound

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