Plott Farm History
Apple Hill Farms is steeped in history and tradition. Our unique farm was once the homestead, the Plott Family, one of Waynesville’s prominent founding families. I the late 1700’s, John Plott moved to our lush valley located in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Here the Plott family prospered off of the land, raising livestock and propagating apple orchards. At the site of Apple Hill Farms, the Plott family bred the first American Plott Hound, a ferocious bear hunting dog. The Plott Hound was officially adopted as our State Dog on August 12, 1989. (Session Laws of North Carolina, 1989, c. 773; G.S. 145-13).
To see Apple Hill Farms, go to the 11 minute mark.
The ancestors of today’s Plott Hounds were used for boar hunting in Germany. These dogs had been bred for generations for their stamina and gameness. Johannes Plott left his native Germany and came to this country in 1750 with his brother and immigrated to America with five Hanoverian Hounds. One brother died during the voyage and though there is no evidence that Johannes ever came to western North Carolina, his son Henry settled there around 1800 and was responsible for the Plott hound legend of an incredible big game dog. Over the next 200 years, the Plott descendents were mountain men who used their dogs to hunt bear and boar. The dogs became known by the family name and were referred to as the Plotts’ hounds. They were recognized by the AKC in 2006 as part of the Hound Group.
A Look Back
The Plott Hound breed originated in the mountains of North Carolina around 1750 and is the only breed known to have originated in this State. Named for Jonathan Plott who developed the breed as a wild boar hound, the Plott Hound is a legendary hunting dog known as a courageous fighter and tenacious tracker. He is also a gentle and extremely loyal companion to hunters of North Carolina. The Plott Hound is very quick of foot with superior treeing instincts and has always been a favorite of big-game hunters.
The Plott Hound has a beautiful brindle-colored coat and a spine-tingling, bugle-like call. It is also only one of four breeds known to be of American origin.