The Plott hound is a medium-sized dog that is bred for large game hunting. They are a bold and brave dog that excel in hunting bear and mountain lion. The Plott originated in Germany by Johannes George Plott, a 16 year old houndsman, who traveled to Appalachia with all of his dogs and eventually settled in New Bern, North Carolina in 1750. In the later 1800's the Plott name was getting out to other hunters and many of them came to Henry Plott (Georges son) in search for the dogs. In 1935 their reputation as the ultimate big-game dog was cemented on a hunt with Branch Rickey; where they jumped 20 bears over 3 days and killed 8 total, 6 of which were in one day. 

In 1989 the Plott was recognized as North Carolinas official state dog and was first registered with the United Kennel Club in 1946. The Plott hound was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2006.