Plott is a scent-trailing dog bred to hunt bears and other large game. The dog has a short coat that ranges from black to light brown. The coat is often brindled—that is, streaked with darker shades of fur. Plotts stand from 20 to 25 inches (51 to 64 centimeters) high at the shoulder. Males usually weigh from 50 to 60 pounds (23 to 27 kilograms). Females are slightly smaller.
The breed gets its name from Johannes Plott, a German immigrant who moved to the mountains of North Carolina in the mid-1700’s. Plott brought five hunting dogs with him from Germany. The Plott family bred the dogs over many generations, and the dogs came to be known by the family name. The Plott is the state dog of North Carolina because of its history in the state.
Plotts are intelligent, agile, and fearless. As hunting dogs, Plotts are primarily used to hunt black bears, but people also use them to hunt wild boars, bobcats, and raccoons. Plotts also make excellent companion dogs.
