The Plott Hound Bear: A Top Hunting Dog Breed

The Plott Hound is a versatile hunting dog breed that's been used for tracking and hunting various game, including bears.

This breed was developed in the late 18th century by Johannes Plott, a German immigrant who settled in North Carolina.

With their strong prey drive and keen sense of smell, Plott Hounds are well-suited for hunting large game like bears.

They're also known for their distinctive brindle coat and short, smooth tail.

Additional reading: Bears Faster

The Plott hound breed is known for its grit and staying power. They're the perfect companion for bear hunting.

Their popularity has been growing across the Appalachians and Great Smoky Mountains for over 200 years. This is thanks to the dedication of the Plott family, who managed to keep the dog line pure from the 18th century to the present day.

Eugene Walker, a seasoned houndsman and breeder, sums up the Plott's unique qualities: "If you want grit and staying power, you better run with a Plott."

The Plott Hound's coat is a defining feature of the breed. It should be fine to medium in texture, and short or medium in length.

A smooth and glossy appearance is expected, and the fur should be brindled. Brindled is a specific pattern of black or tan fur with a lighter or darker background color, creating a finely streaked or striped effect.

The National Plott Hound Association accepts seven different brindle shades: yellow brindle, red brindle, tan brindle, brown brindle, black brindle, grey brindle, and maltese (slate grey, blue brindle).

Black with brindle trim and solid black are also acceptable alternatives. However, white markings on the dog's coat can be a fault, with the exception of some white on the chest and/or feet.

For your interest: Black and Tan Treeing Walker Coonhound

The Plott is a breed that's known for its incredible grit. This is the key characteristic that sets it apart from other hound breeds.

The Plott is the most recognized bear dog breed, and for good reason. It's a dog that's built for hunting, with a strong instinct to track and tree its prey.

Ask any houndsman, and they'll tell you that the Plott is the grittiest dog to ever chase a bear. It's a dog that's not afraid to get in on the action.

According to Eugene Walker, a 77-year-old houndsman and breeder, the Plott has "infinite stamina" and is "confident" in its abilities. This makes it the perfect breed for bear hunting.

The Plott's history dates back to 1750, when Johannes George Plott brought Hanoverian hounds to Philadelphia. He later moved to North Carolina and continued to breed the line, passing it down to his family members.

One notable breeder of Plotts is Eugene Walker, who has been running the same line for over 60 years. He's had great success with his dogs, which are known for their speed, aggression, and cold-nosed ability to track older scent trails.

Here are some key characteristics of the Plott breed: