Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Plott Hound - Breed Comparison

The Plott Hound is a scent hound who has always been used for for hunting bears. The dog may well be the state dog of North Carolina, but it isn’t well known.

The Plott Hound is an old dog breed descending from several Hanoverian Schweisshunds which were brought to North Carolina way back in 1750. They were brought by a German immigrant, Johannes George Plott, and that is why it is believed that the dog hails from Germany.

It is believed that in the early 1900s the dog was mated with black-and-tan hounds, giving the canine additional scenting skills as well as its black-saddled brindle pattern. The dog breed has since been registered by the United Kennel Club and is also registered by the American Kennel Club.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was first developed in the northern sections of Birmingham and in Staffordshire, England. The Staffie is a cross between a Black and Tan Terrie and the Bulldog, but had other breeds crossed in over time in order to create a bull-baiting dog and a fighting dog. In the Victorian age these sports were banned but dog fighting went underground and continues on some level today.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was exceptional at these “sports” due to his build, power and jaw strength. Today’s Staffie is a descendent of those early Bull Terrier crosses. Together with the Bull Terrier and the American Pit Bull, the Staffie also traces its roots back to those original English Bully dogs. All three breeds have the Bulldog in common.

After dog fighting and bull baiting were banned the Stafforshire Bull Terrier was further developed as a companion and pet. Still their reputation as fighting dogs cost them recognition in the official kennel clubs for some time. They finally made the UK registry in 1935, but it was not until 1974 that the American Kennel Club (AKC) accepted them.

The Plott Hound is a large dog standing between 50 and 71cm in height, both male and female, and weighing in at between 18 to 27kg.

The dog’s coat is available in a number of brindle shades such as red-, blue, tan-, brown and black brindle. The ears of the dog are long and floppy and the tail is also long and held up or down, depending on whether the dog is quiet or excited. He is active and would not be recommended for a small homes in the city.

Temperament:

Bold, alert and intelligent, the Plott Hound is a confident, courageous and loyal pet, being somewhat aloof around strangers.

Typical of any hounds, he is a strong willed, independent dog, and this is why he will need training and socialization. These make him obedient so that he can respond to simple commands such as sit, lie down, come and stay. This makes him a pleasure to have around wherever you go with him. He is also protective, making him an excellent watchdog.

Description

The Staffordshire is a muscular, stocky and unusually strong breed, small to medium size in height and build. They have broad, powerful chests, wide set, strong legs, strong shoulders, broad head with a fairly short muzzle. Their ears are not cropped but they are short and fold over. The coat is stiff, close and short and the tail is medium and carried low. Most Staffies are brown, but they can be red, brindle with white, fawn, black, white or blue.

The Plott is a bold, aggressive type of dog, but he is also loving, loyal and intelligent.

If you want him as a pet and companion, another bonus part is that his smooth, short coat makes him a low maintenance breed. He’s good looking too, and with training and socialization he’s going to make a great family friend, guardian and pet.

1.Children friendliness The breed adores children but care should still be taken because they are so strong and their jaws are so powerful.

2.Special talents they adore children and they one of the most powerful jaws among canines.

3.Adaptability they need exercise and space, they are not apartment dogs.

4.Learning ability very smart, but very stubborn

Your Plott Hound is a healthy dog breed and can live to be anything from 12 to 14 years of age. Just like with any other dog breed, they are prone to certain health conditions. It is however, highly unlikely that he will get any of the diseases, but it is good to be aware of some of them -

Cancer:

There are many forms of cancer and some of the symptoms of the disease include lumps, sores that won’t heal, difficulty with breathing, lack of energy and black stools. Cancer is of course life threatening and treatments will include the likes of chemotherapy, radiation and even surgery.

Heartworms:

This is also a deadly disease where parasites infect a dog’s heart and arteries. With a mosquito bite, dogs are exposed to larvae, and if left unchecked, the larva can develop into large worms. Your dog will be coughing, be lethargic and in a run down state. This disease certainly requires veterinary intervention.

Vomiting:

There are so many things that can cause your dog to vomit and also have diarrhea. Eating the wrong foods, having an infection such as parvo for instance can cause a dog to vomit. An isolated case of vomiting needn’t be cause for alarm, but if your dog is vomiting repeatedly, you’ll need to get him to the vet.

Obesity:

This is more common in small dogs, but big dogs can easily become obese too. Being overweight has a host of negative health effects on your dog such as opening up diseases such as diabetes and putting too much stress on the joints.

The breed is basically healthy, but they do have some hereditary health issues.

• Hip and elbow dysplasia- can cause arthritis.

• Patella luxation otherwise known as a slipped kneecap- can cause pain and some lameness.

• Skin allergies and even a tendency toward Mange which is chronic in some forms and fatal in others.

• Heat issues and breathing issues due to their short, compressed faces.

• Like most active dogs their size, they are susceptible to bloat which can be fatal if not treated immediately.

Exercise:

The Plott is a hunting dog, used to being outside and used to being active and busy. For anyone who can satisfy his need to be busy, he’ll make a fantastic pet, companion and watchdog. Provide him with a variety of activities to keep him occupied – a walk, ball games, runs in the park, swimming and hikes.

Grooming:

Your Plott Hound has a short coat which sheds. He is regarded as a low maintenance dog and will require a brush twice a week. A rubber curry will keep the coat gleaming.

Check inside his ears for redness which can be indicative of an ear infection. Check his eyes too and make sure they are bright, clear and alert.

Trim your pet’s nails.

If you don’t intend to go in for breeding, have your dog neutered or spayed to avoid unwanted pups.

Provide your dog with a nice warm, dry place to sleep. When he goes outside, ensure he has both shade and sunshine to lie down in.

Make sure you feed your Plott Hound high quality food to promote longevity and good health. There are some commercially manufactured dog foods that have bad ingredients in them which can actually make your pet sick. Buy a quality food, and try to add in some homemade food too from time to time. You don’t have to make feeding your dog a complicated affair – some chopped up boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some vegetables such as sweet potato, carrots and spinach will keep your pet healthy and happy. You can add it into his kibble once in a while for a treat and also give him a little bit of raw meat occasionally. Easy, simple and nutritious – just like your pet wants. He doesn’t want you popping chocolate, raisins, peanuts, coffee and spicy foods into his mouth or bowl as it upsets his stomach.

Make sure he always has access to fresh, cool water.

1.Feeding the puppy Don’t over feed as he grows fast. Feed a high quality dog food for medium size puppies. Feed 1-2 and a quarter cups in 3-4 meals per day.

2.Feeding the adult Don’t exercise right before or after eating due to potential for bloat. Feed 1-2 times a day a high quality medium breed dog food.

3.Points for Good Health immense strength and power.

4. Games and Exercises They are terriers after all and they dig. Need a fairly large yard with a strong fence. They love to play ball, frisbee and can excel at cart pulling.