At a glance the quick version
UKC: males 50-75 lb, females 40-65 lb; Wikipedia gives a narrower 23-27 kg and 18-25 kg.
Coat and looks how to spot one
short to medium, smooth
A muscular, athletic scenthound with a smooth, glossy coat of fine to medium texture.21
Personality what they are like
Relaxed and gentle at home but bold and tireless on a trail. It is bright, confident and devoted to its people, may be wary of strangers at first, and has an independent mind that responds best to calm, consistent training.234
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High. Plan on about an hour of activity a day, split into walks or play. It follows its nose, so keep it on lead or in a securely fenced area.3
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Weekly brushing with a hound mitt or rubber curry brush, weekly ear checks, plus routine nail trims and tooth brushing.3
Home where they are happiest
Best suited to a home with a large, well-fenced yard or acreage.3
Company who they like around
Loyal and affectionate with its family; takes a little time to warm up to new people and enjoys an experienced, consistent owner.3
The story where it all began
Johannes Plott emigrated from Germany to North Carolina around 1750 with five Hanoverian hounds bred for boar and bear hunting. His family kept and developed the line for generations, with his son Henry settling the pack in Haywood County, and it became a distinct American coonhound, registered by the UKC in 1946 and the AKC in 2006.123
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It has been the official state dog of North Carolina since 1989.1
- 2
It is the only coonhound breed that does not descend from foxhounds.1
- 3
It was originally developed to hunt bear and wild boar rather than raccoons.3
- 4
It is the only dog breed known to originate in North Carolina.1
- 5
Brindle is the preferred colour in the UKC standard.2
Recognised by the official bits
- UKC
- First registered 19462
- AKC
- Hound Group; recognised 20061
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Plott Hound. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Plott Hound, and at what times?
Feed your Plott Hound at least two meals a day for an adult, and three to four smaller meals for a puppy. Consistent meal times help their digestion, so aim for the same times each day. Check the food label for exact amounts and ask your vet for a tailored plan.5
What should a Plott Hound eat, and which foods are dangerous?
A high-quality dog food that suits their age and activity level is best. Dangerous foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, and macadamia nuts. Always avoid giving them human treats like these, and consult your vet for a safe diet plan.6
How often should I bathe a Plott Hound?
Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a bath every 8 weeks, but you can bathe more often if they get very dirty or have skin issues. Use a gentle dog shampoo and avoid over-bathing to keep their coat healthy.7 Furry Diary plan
How often does a Plott Hound need brushing?
Brush your Plott Hound weekly with a hound mitt or rubber curry brush to keep their smooth coat shiny and remove loose hair. This also helps distribute natural oils and is a nice bonding time.37 Furry Diary plan
How do I trim a Plott Hound's nails, and how often?
Trim nails every 4 weeks, or sooner if you hear them clicking on the floor. Cut a little at a time, stopping before the quick (the pink part inside), and use a proper dog nail trimmer. If unsure, ask your vet or a groomer for a demo.7 Furry Diary plan
How much exercise does a Plott Hound need?
Your Plott Hound needs about an hour of activity daily, split into walks or play. They love to follow their nose, so always keep them on a lead or in a securely fenced area. This breed is tireless on a trail but relaxed at home.3 Furry Diary plan
How do I look after a Plott Hound's teeth and ears?
Brush their teeth at least twice a week, ideally daily, using a dog-safe toothpaste. Check their floppy ears weekly for dirt or moisture and dry them gently, never push anything into the ear canal. This helps prevent infections.37 Furry Diary plan
How long does a Plott Hound live?
A Plott Hound typically lives between 12 and 14 years. With good care, regular vet visits, and a healthy lifestyle, they can enjoy a long, happy life by your side.3
Is a Plott Hound good with children and other pets?
Yes, they are loyal and affectionate with their family and can be good with children when properly socialized. They may be wary of strangers at first and have an independent mind, so early, consistent training helps them get along with other pets too.234
Can a Plott Hound be left alone?
Plott Hounds are devoted to their people and may not enjoy long periods alone. They do best with an owner who is home often or can provide company, as they can become bored or anxious. If left alone, ensure they have plenty of exercise and mental stimulation beforehand.3
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
You might also like
Hanover Hound
Bluetick Coonhound
Treeing Walker Coonhound
Black and Tan CoonhoundLike what we are building? Buy Archy a bone.
All of this is free for everyone, with a source on every fact, and it will never show annoying ads. It was a big job to build, so if it helped you, buy Archy a bone. Any amount is lovely, and no is a perfectly fine answer too.
Archy is our Australian Cattle Dog and chief taste tester. Tips go to 4V3D OÜ, the small family studio behind Furry Diary.
Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia: Plott Hound en.wikipedia.orgused for history, recognition, sizes, facts
- UKC breed standard: Plott Hound ukcdogs.comused for history, temperament, coat, colour, height, weight
- DogTime: Plott dogtime.comused for lifespan, care, exercise, facts
- AKC: Plott akc.orgused for temperament summary
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.