A Comprehensive Study Guide to the Conformation Breed Standard for the PLOTT

On August 12, 1989 the North Carolina Legislature named the Plott the official dog of North Carolina HISTORY

Von Plott – The last active Plott hunter/breeder John Plott – Elder brother of Von Plott

HISTORY Plott bear hunt with Baseball Hall of Famer Branch Rickey

HISTORY The Leopard-cross of 1884

A hunting hound of striking color that traditionally brings big game to bay or tree, the Plott is intelligent, alert and confident. GENERAL APPEARANCE CORRECT

Faults: Extremely leggy or close to the ground. SIZE & PROPORTION Males: 20” to 25” at withers. Females: 20” to 23” at withers. Males: 50 to 60lbs. Females 40 to 55lbs. (in hunting condition) CORRECT

Extremely leggy INCORRECT SIZE & PROPORTION Too close to ground

CORRECT INCORRECT Moderately boned. Strong, yet quick and agile. Faults: Overdone. Carrying too much weight and or too much bone to display speed and dexterity. SUBSTANCE

Carried well up HEAD Skin fitting moderately tight CORRECT

HEAD Skin stretched too tightly INCORRECT Dewlap, domed, low-set ear Dewlap, domed, low-set ear

EXPRESSION Inquisitive, determined Confident CORRECT

EYES Hazel Hazel Brown, prominent Brown, prominent CORRECT

EARS Medium length, fairly broad, set moderately high CORRECT

EARS Extending beyond the tip of the nose, bloodhound like. INCORRECT

SKULL Moderately flat, sufficient width between and above the eyes CORRECT INCORRECT Oval, excessively domed

MUZZLE Moderate length CORRECT Flews give square-ish appearance

MUZZLE Pointed Long, without stop Downward deviation Bluntly squared INCORRECT

PIGMENTATION Eye rims, lips and nose are black CORRECT

FLEWS & BITE Flews: should be black and not pendulous INCORRECT Bite: Scissors Fault: Overshot or undershot.

NECK Medium length and muscular, free of dewlap with dewlap CORRECT INCORRECT

TOPLINE & CHEST Topline: Gently sloping, higher at withers than at the hips. Fault: Roached Chest: Deep CORRECT

RIBS Deep, moderately wide, well sprung CORRECT

BACK Well-muscled, strong, level CORRECT

LOIN Slightly arched CORRECT

TAIL Root slightly below level of topline. Rather long, carried free, well up, saber like. CORRECT

TAIL Moderately heavy in appearance. Sometimes with slight brush. CORRECT Curled INCORRECT

FOREQUARTERS Clean, muscular and sloping CORRECT

ELBOW Squarely set CORRECT

PASTERNS CORRECT Strong & Erect Weak & Buckling INCORRECT

FEET & NAILS Firm, tight, well-padded and knuckled, with strong toes. Set directly under the leg. INCORRECT CORRECT Nails Usually black, although shades of reddish brown matching the brindle body color are permissible and buckskin colored dogs have light red nails. May be white when portions of the feet are white. Disqualification: Splayed feet.

HINDQUARTERS Angulation – Well-bent at stifles and at the hocks Hips - Smooth, round, and proportionally wide, indicating efficient propulsion Legs - Long and muscular from hip to hock. From hock to pad short, strong and at right angles to the ground CORRECT

HINDQUARTERS Sickle Hock Too long from hock to pad Lacks power INCORRECT

COLOR Brindle with black saddle CORRECT Yellow or buckskin brindle CORRECT

COLOR Black Brindle Buckskin CORRECT

COAT CORRECT Smooth, fine, glossy, but thick enough to provide protection from wind and water

PURPOSE FOR BEING RACCOON HUNTING BEAR HUNTING

PURPOSE FOR BEING BOBCAT WILD BOAR