Plott Hound
NC's state dog. Rare, vocal, healthy. German boar-hunting heritage. One of the healthiest hound breeds.
Coat
short
Size
large · 40-60 lbs
Life expectancy
12-14 yrs
Activity
high
The breed
Where the Plott Hound comes from, and what living with one actually asks of you.
About the Plott Hound
The Plott Hound is North Carolina's state dog and the only AKC coonhound breed not descended from English foxhound stock. Its roots trace to German big-game hounds brought to the American mountains, where the breed became known for hunting bear and boar. The brindle coat is striking, but the defining traits are courage, nose, voice, and stamina.
Living with a Plott is best for active, hound-savvy homes. Many are loyal, bold, athletic, vocal, and affectionate with family. They are not quiet apartment decorations. Scent drive, baying, prey drive, and determination can be intense, and many need secure containment plus real outdoor work.
Health planning is relatively straightforward but should not imply invulnerability. Local data flags hip dysplasia, bloat/GDV, and ear infections. Veterinary sources describe Plotts as generally healthy while still noting hip or elbow dysplasia, ear infections, and bloat as concerns. Deep-chested conformation makes GDV awareness sensible.
Living with a Plott Hound
Plott Hounds are usually bold, loyal, alert, and intelligent. They can be affectionate with family and good with older children who enjoy active dogs, but their size and drive require supervision.
Many are pack-oriented with dogs, while prey drive around cats and small animals needs caution. Training should respect the nose: use rewards, tracking games, recall foundations, leash manners, and containment. Expect baying and voice; silence is not a realistic breed goal.
Daily care
Feeding, exercise, and coat — plus how the routine shifts from puppy to senior.
Feeding a Plott Hound
North Carolina's state dog. Calorie needs vary with size, sex, and hunting workload. Remarkably healthy breed.
Key nutrients
- —high-quality protein
- —omega-3
Portion notes: Two meals daily.
Exercise & enrichment
Plotts need serious daily exercise and scent work. Hiking, tracking, hunting-style games, and long walks fit better than short potty strolls. Feed to body condition, age, sex, and workload because hunting dogs and companions can differ widely.
Grooming routine
The short coat is easy to brush, but ears and feet need attention. Check ears for odor, redness, debris, or head shaking, especially after wet work. Trim nails, brush teeth, inspect pads, and check for ticks, cuts, and soreness after field activity.
The Plott Hound through the years
Plott puppies need socialization, recall games, leash foundations, crate skills, and safe exposure to woods, surfaces, people, and other dogs.
Adult Plotts need exercise, secure containment, ear checks, measured meals, and monitoring for lameness, abdominal distress, ear infections, or overuse injuries.
Senior Plotts benefit from lower-impact scent work, arthritis support, dental care, weight control, and prompt evaluation of appetite, mobility, hearing, or lumps.
Health
What Plott Hounds are prone to, the signs worth catching early, and what supports them.
Health concerns to watch
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.
Supplements for Plott Hounds
Matched to this breed's common health concerns. All NASC-sealed.
Cosequin (Nutramax)
The #1 vet-recommended joint supplement
- —#1 vet-recommended
- —NASC Quality Seal
- —Glucosamine + chondroitin
- —Clinically studied
Supplements support — they don't treat or cure disease. Talk to your vet for anything clinical.
Gear & services
Food, gear, training, and what the first year with a Plott Hound actually costs.
Fresh food picks for Plott Hounds
Our recommended fresh-food subscriptions for large dogs.
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
Ollie
Fresh food with both cooked and baked recipes
- —Fresh and baked recipes
- —Turkey, beef, lamb, chicken proteins
- —Custom portions
- —60% off first box
Nom Nom
Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing
- —Pre-portioned pouches
- —Vet-formulated
- —Microbiome testing available
- —50% off first order
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
What to budget for a Plott Hound in year one.
A practical range for routine care and first-year setup. It assumes a dry or mixed diet and mostly at-home care; purchase and adoption fees are excluded.
Practical first-year range
$1,775-$4,750
A typical ongoing year runs $1,400-$3,075before optional services and unexpected medical care.
Food (year one)
Dry or mixed diet; fresh food can cost more
$750-$1,800
Gear & supplies (year one)
Crate, bed, harness, bowls, toys
$300-$650
Routine vet + preventatives
Wellness, vaccines, flea/tick and heartworm; no emergencies
$500-$850
Grooming
low needs; DIY to periodic professional help
$25-$150
Training
At-home work to group classes
$0-$600
Optional supplements
Not included in the headline totals
$0-$480
Other first-year
Microchip, license, spay/neuter if needed
$200-$700
Optional pet insurance
Not included above; premiums vary by age, ZIP and coverage.
$650-$1,500/yr
Also not included: fresh-food-only diets, boarding or day care, emergencies, and condition-specific treatment. Breed health risks are planning flags—not guaranteed annual bills.
Size-adjusted U.S. planning ranges, updated July 2026 and benchmarked against Rover's 2026 cost report and Synchrony's 2025 study. Actual costs vary by region and lifestyle.
Gear for Plott Hounds
Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.
Training for Plott Hounds
Matched to Plott Hound temperament (bold, loyal, alert).
GoodPup
1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers
- —1-on-1 live video sessions
- —Certified trainers
- —Custom per-dog plan
- —Weekly structure
BAXTER & Bella
Online puppy training program, lifetime access
- —Lifetime membership
- —Self-paced video lessons
- —Puppy + adult content
- —Behavior troubleshooting
Dogo
App-based training with daily structure
- —App-based daily plans
- —AI-guided feedback
- —Affordable monthly cost
- —Trick training library
GPS trackers for Plott Hounds
Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.
Fi
Smart collar with GPS + activity tracking
- —Real-time GPS
- —Activity + sleep tracking
- —Escape alerts
- —3-month battery
Tractive
Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range
- —Attaches to any collar
- —Worldwide GPS coverage
- —Activity monitoring
- —Budget-friendly
Curious about their DNA?
Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.
Embark
The most comprehensive dog DNA test
- —350+ breeds identified
- —250+ health conditions screened
- —Cornell-partnered science
- —Relatives finder
Wisdom Panel
Breed identification + health screening
- —350+ breeds
- —Genetic health insights
- —Budget-friendly option
- —Fast results
More on the Plott Hound
Similar-size breeds
Plott Hound questions, answered.
Are Plott Hounds rare?+
Do Plotts bark a lot?+
Are Plotts good apartment dogs?+
Do Plott Hounds get bloat?+
What health testing should I ask about?+
How long do Plott Hounds live?+
How big do Plott Hounds get?+
How much exercise does a Plott Hound need?+
What health problems do Plott Hounds commonly have?+
Are Plott Hounds hard to groom?+
What should I feed a Plott Hound?+
Are Plott Hounds good for first-time owners?+
Ask Searchbreed about your Plott Hound
Get personalized answers about food, health, and care.