Scent hound Medium size 18-27 kg

Plott Hound

A gritty, driven American scent hound bred for big game; loyal but high-energy and best for active homes.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
18-27 kg, 51-64 cm at the shoulder
Very high
Activity
Very high; needs vigorous exercise
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Handles moderate alone time
Moderate
Trainability
Willing but independent and determined
Low
Coat care
Short coat needs little upkeep
Good
Fit with kids
Good with children
Moderate
Other pets
Sociable with dogs; strong prey drive
Light
Health burden
Hip Dysplasia; Bloat (GDV); Ear Infections

The Plott Hound typically weighs 18-27 kg, stands 51-64 cm, and lives 12-14 years.

Consider this breed if…

you are very active outdoors and want a tireless trail companion,
you have a securely fenced yard - this dog follows its nose over fences,
you can commit to patient, consistent training and scent-based games,
you want a loyal, courageous family dog rather than a couch dog.

Do not consider this breed if…

you have close neighbors and cannot tolerate loud baying,
you rely on off-leash recall in open country,
you keep cats or small pets it would treat as quarry,
you want a low-energy dog or have no time for daily hard exercise.

A typical day with a Plott Hound

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    Long hike, run, or scent tracking
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Rest after real exercise
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Sniffing walk and a chew
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Nosework games or fetch
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Second long walk or trail time
  6. 21:00 · Night
    A tired hound settles and sleeps

Temperament and training

Drive to hunt Very high
Determination Very high
Loyalty High
Vocality High
Independence High
Trainability Moderate
Common owner mistakes
Trusting recall off-leash once it locks onto a scent · Underestimating the loud, carrying bay it was bred for · Giving too little exercise, then blaming the dog for chewing

Family and environment

Kids Good
Affectionate with family kids; supervise the rough energy.
Dogs Good
A pack hound that usually enjoys other dogs.
Cats Cautious
Strong prey drive makes cats and small pets risky.
Apartment Poor fit
Loud baying and high energy make flats a bad match.
House with a yard Ideal
Needs a tall, secure fence against nose-led escapes.
City Poor fit
Noise and lack of running room work against it.
Countryside Ideal
Room to hunt and roam is exactly its element.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Hip Dysplasia Screen breeding stock and manage weight and activity
Bloat (GDV) A surgical emergency; a preventive gastropexy is an option
Chronic Ear Infections Long, hanging ears need routine cleaning
Dental Disease Routine brushing and cleanings help

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Another driven American coonhound
Black And Tan Coonhound
An easygoing, nose-driven American hound that is great with family but bays loudly and follows scents anywhere - fenced space and patience required.
View profile →
Energetic scent hound for active homes
Redbone Coonhound
An easygoing, affectionate American hunting hound that needs space and daily exercise - its baying voice and nose make off-leash and close-neighbor life tricky.
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Loud, tenacious trailing hound
Blue Coonhound
A tireless American tracking hound with a loud bawl - affectionate at home but built to hunt, so it needs serious exercise and a secure yard.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Plott Hound cost in the US?
As a working hound it is more affordable than many purebreds, with puppies commonly running about $500-$1,200, sometimes more from proven hunting lines. Across a 12-14 year life, food, routine vet care, and supplies typically add $15,000-$22,000 or more, and an emergency like bloat surgery can add thousands on top.
Are Plott Hounds loud?
Yes. They were bred to bay on the trail so hunters could follow them, and that deep, carrying voice comes out at home too. With training you can manage when they bark, but a naturally quiet dog this is not - a factor worth weighing if you have close neighbors.
Can a Plott Hound be off-leash?
Rarely safely. Once it catches an interesting scent, its determination and independence override recall, and it will follow the trail for miles. Most owners keep them leashed or in securely fenced areas, using a long line for controlled freedom.
Is a Plott Hound a good family dog?
It can be a loyal, affectionate family dog for an active household. The keys are enough hard exercise, secure fencing, and supervision around cats or small pets given its prey drive. It is the state dog of North Carolina and prized for courage and devotion, but it needs a job to do.