Plott Hound characteristics
| Trait | Rating | How common |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Large | 32% of breeds |
| Energy level | Very High | — |
| Trainability | Medium | 48% of breeds |
| Friendliness | Medium | 34% of breeds |
| Good with children | Medium | — |
| Grooming needs | Low | 24% of breeds |
| Shedding | Medium | 40% of breeds |
| Barking | High | 17% of breeds |
| Protectiveness | High | 22% of breeds |
| Adaptability | Medium | 41% of breeds |
| Typical lifespan | 13 years | — |
| Hypoallergenic | No | — |
“How common” is the share of the 321 breeds we score that sit in the same band. Ratings describe the breed, not any individual dog.
Is the Plott Hound right for you?
The Plott Hound is a large dog that is happiest with space indoors and regular access to a yard. In terms of temperament, it gets on with children when raised around them and is naturally watchful and protective of its family and home. Day to day, the Plott Hound is a canine athlete needing hard daily work and a purpose, or it turns restless, which is the single biggest factor in whether it will suit your routine.
Exercise and daily routine
The Plott Hound is a canine athlete needing hard daily work and a purpose, or it turns restless. With very high energy and very high athleticism, a consistent daily routine keeps this breed physically and mentally satisfied. Skipping exercise is the most common cause of problem behaviour, so match the Plott Hound to a lifestyle you can realistically maintain.
Grooming, shedding and upkeep
The Plott Hound needs minimal coat care, just a weekly once-over and loses a fair amount of coat, especially seasonally. It is not considered hypoallergenic, so allergy sufferers should spend time around the breed first.
Temperament and training
The Plott Hound picks things up at a fair pace with steady practice and is fairly vocal and will bark to alert you. It is fairly independent and handles alone time well, so plan for company or gradual alone-time training if you work away from home. Early socialization and positive, reward-based training bring out the best in this breed.
What stands out about the Plott Hound
Most breed descriptions call everything “loyal and intelligent”. These are the ratings where the Plott Hound genuinely differs from the rest of the catalogue — the things worth knowing before you commit.
- Barking: High — the Plott Hound is more vocal than most breeds. Only 17% of breeds we score share this rating.
What a week with a Plott Hound actually costs you
| Exercise | Two or more hours of real exercise a day, most days, plus something that occupies its mind. This is the single commitment that decides whether the match works. |
|---|---|
| Coat | Occasional brushing is enough. |
| Time alone | Handles normal working hours better than most, given exercise either side. |
| Noise | More vocal than most; worth factoring into flat living. |
Where the Plott Hound fits — and where it does not
Each verdict below comes from the ratings in the table above, so you can check the reasoning rather than take it on trust.
| Household | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment living | Poor fit | high barking combined with very high energy is the combination flats punish most. |
| Families with young children | Depends | Medium child tolerance: fine with supervision and older children, less so with toddlers. |
| First-time owners | Poor fit | The combination of drive, independence and training difficulty is a lot for a first dog. |
| Homes with cats | Poor fit | Very high prey drive. Introductions need managing, and a bolting cat triggers exactly the instinct this breed was selected for. |
| Long working days | Good fit | High independence, so time alone is less of a problem than for many breeds. |
| Allergy households | Depends | No low-allergen coat recorded, though shedding is not extreme. |
| Wanting a watchful dog | Good fit | High protectiveness. Socialisation decides whether that reads as steady or reactive. |
Perfect for
- Big game hunters
- Experienced hound owners
- Rural properties
- Active outdoor families
Things to consider
- Strong prey drive
- Needs experienced handler
- High exercise requirements
- Can be aggressive to other dogs
Not sure which breed is right for you?
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Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- Is the Plott Hound good with children?
- The Plott Hound can be good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
- Does the Plott Hound shed a lot?
- The Plott Hound has medium shedding.
- How much exercise does the Plott Hound need?
- With very high energy, the Plott Hound needs plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation — long walks, runs or active play.
- How long does the Plott Hound live?
- The Plott Hound typically lives around 13 years.
- Can the Plott Hound live in an apartment?
- The Plott Hound is a larger breed and does better in a home with more space, though it can adapt with enough daily exercise.
- Is the Plott Hound easy to train?
- The Plott Hound picks things up at a fair pace with steady practice. Consistency, early socialization and reward-based methods work best.
- Can the Plott Hound be left alone during the day?
- The Plott Hound is fairly independent and handles alone time well. Build up alone time gradually and provide enrichment to prevent boredom.