Easy
Plott Hound
The Plott Hound is an American scenthound — North Carolina's state dog — developed from German Hanoverian Schweisshunds for big game hunting. Their short, dense, glossy coat is extremely low-maintenance, resistant to dirt, and requires minimal professional grooming. The breed's long, floppy hound ears are the primary area requiring regular attention.
Coat Type
Short, Dense, Glossy Hound Coat
Groom Every
Every 6-8 weeks
Styles Available
3 cuts
Cuts & Styles
Grooming Styles
1
Standard Hound Bath
A thorough bath with a hound-appropriate shampoo, rubber curry finish, nail trim, and ear cleaning. The complete grooming service for this low-maintenance breed.
2
Natural Hound
Home maintenance between baths — a rubber curry brush twice weekly removes loose coat, and weekly ear cleaning is the primary routine care.
3
Field Dog Tidy
Post-hunt inspection and cleaning: ear check, paw pad inspection, and a quick wipe-down with a grooming mitt to remove surface dirt from the short coat.
Expert Advice
Care Tips
- Clean Plott Hound ears every 7-10 days without exception — the long, pendant ears trap moisture and debris after trail work, and the breed has a genuine predisposition to chronic otitis externa.
- The short coat repels surface dirt but does not protect against field debris in the ears and between the paws — always check these two areas after hunting or trail use.
- Plott Hounds have a natural, characteristic hound scent from sebaceous secretions in the skin — regular bathing with a deodorizing hound shampoo every 6-8 weeks manages this without stripping the protective skin oils.
- A rubber grooming mitt used twice weekly between baths removes loose coat efficiently and maintains the coat's natural glossy sheen with minimal effort.
- Nail maintenance is important for an active trailing dog — overgrown nails affect foot structure and can cause the dog discomfort on rocky terrain during hunts.
Recommended Tools
What you'll need
Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush
BrushThe gold standard for poodles and doodles. Features long pins that penetrate deep into dense coats to remove tangles and fluff the hair.
$60 - $75
Miller's Forge Quality Nail Clipper
Nail CareUsed by professional groomers worldwide. Made of high-quality Italian stainless steel with a heavy-duty spring for clean, sharp cuts.
$10 - $15
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
BrushAn excellent entry-level brush that's easy to clean. Great for removing loose fur and detangling shorter coats.
$15 - $25
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Deep Dives
Plott Hound Grooming Guides
Summer Grooming
Heat management, coat care, and seasonal tips.
Read guide
Winter Coat Care
Cold-weather protection and moisture balance.
Read guide
Shedding Season
Survive the seasonal blowout without losing your mind.
Read guide
Prevent Matting
Detangle, prevent, and protect their coat year-round.
Read guide
Best Brushes
The right tools for this specific coat type.
Read guide
Nail Trimming
Safe nail care frequency and technique.
Read guide
Ear Cleaning
Prevent infections with proper ear care.
Read guide
Bathing Guide
How often to bathe and which products to use.
Read guide
Grooming Cost
What professional grooming should cost for this breed.
Read guide
Hypoallergenic
Shedding, dander, and allergy-friendly coat care.
Read guide
First-Time Owner
Grooming basics for new owners of this breed.
Read guide
Skin & Allergies
Itchy skin, hot spots, and coat-sensitive care.
Read guide
Dental Care
Oral hygiene tied to coat and skin health.
Read guide
Flea & Tick
Parasite prevention without damaging the coat.
Read guide
Pro vs DIY
When to groom at home and when to hire a pro.
Read guide
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