Plott Hound vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Plott Hound vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed ComparisonPlott Hound is originated from Germany but American Cocker Spaniel is originated from United States. Plott Hound may grow 31 cm / 13 inches higher than American Cocker Spaniel. Plott Hound may weigh 13 kg / 29 pounds more than American Cocker Spaniel. Both Plott Hound and American Cocker Spaniel has almost same life span. Plott Hound may have more litter size than American Cocker Spaniel. Plott Hound requires Low maintenance. But American Cocker Spaniel requires Moderate maintenance

History

plott hound - historyThe 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.

american cocker spaniel - historyDescended from the English Cocker Spaniel when the latter were brought to the United States in the late 1800s. American hunters wanted a smaller dog for bird hunting, so they crossed them with smaller spaniel breeds. The English and the American Cockers were considered the same breed until 1935 when the American Kennel Club officially separated them into 2 distinct breeds. After this the American Cocker’s popularity increased dramatically. To this day they are one of the most popular breeds in the U.S. Recently their popularity has spread back to England. The American Cocker Spaniel has evolved from a hunting dog life to a very popular family pet.

Description

plott hound puppy - descriptionThe 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.

american cocker spaniel puppy - descriptionThe American Cocker spaniel is a sturdy dog of medium size. The have a rounded head with a broad and deep muzzle. The jaw is even and square while the teeth have a scissors bite. The American Cocker has round eyes that are almost always dark with the exception of the Merle who can have blue colored eyes. They have long ears and a docked tail in the U.S. Docking is illegal in most of Europe. The American Cocker bred for field hunts have shorter coats than those bred for show. Grooming is essential for this longhaired breed. It is especially important for the eyes and ears to be kept clean.

Characteristics

plott hound dog - characteristicsThe 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.

Favored Qualities

american cocker spaniel dog - characteristicsThis is a gentle, happy dog. They are high energy, high spirited, friendly dogs who like people and other animals alike. They are happy to be with you and want to please you. He can find a home in the country and in the city alike. He is inquisitive and easy to train.

Potential Difficulties

But be warned they can be stubborn and hard to housebreak. They can be shy and need a lot of socialization as a pup. They can take over a household if you are not the strong pack leader they need. They have a tendency to urinate when excited and must live inside with the family. They are far too social to be left outside. An unhappy, unstable cocker can be into resource guarding of things, spaces and people. They can bark obsessively or be hyperactive. They must have a loving home with the family.

Health Problems

plott hound puppies - health problemsYour 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.

american cocker spaniel puppies - health problemsPerhaps the least of the American Cocker Spaniel’s health concerns are the tendency to overeat and become obese. The more serious concerns include glaucoma, cataracts, dysplasia, allergies, Cherry eye, lip fold pyoderma, liver disease, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure (CHF).

IMHA

The most serious health issue the breed faces is IMHA or Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia which can be deadly. In fact, it is almost always fatal and comes on quickly. With this condition the dog can bleed out internally and there is little that veterinary medicine can do.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

plott hound dogs - caringThe 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.

Feeding puppies and adults

american cocker spaniel dogs - caringThe American Cocker Spaniel breed requires attention to detail and making sure your puppy gets enough and your adult doesn’t get too much. Feed the pups twice a day until they reach the age of 4 months and then cut them back to the adult dose of once a day at supper time. Feed from a cup to a cup and a half.

Health Issues

not previously mentioned include Ectropion and Entropion, Prolapse of the nicititans gland, gastric torsion and elbow dysplasia. Have your puppy tested for eye diseases and any issues with the knee and hip. These are social dogs and will not do well alone outside. They need to live inside.

Exercise and games

The American Cockers love to play and need a lot of exercise. Nice long walks, games of fetch or even agility will keep your Cocker happy. have plenty of stamina and need regular exercise. They also enjoy a good hunt.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Gun dog
Origin:
Germany
United States
Height Male:
50 - 71 cm
19 - 28 inches
38 - 40 cm
14 - 16 inches
Height Female:
50 - 71 cm
19 - 28 inches
34 - 38 cm
13 - 15 inches
Weight Male:
18 - 27 kg
39 - 60 pounds
11 - 14 kg
24 - 31 pounds
Weight Female:
18 - 27 kg
39 - 60 pounds
7 - 12 kg
15 - 27 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 10
1 - 7
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Plott , Plotthund
Cocker Spaniel, Cocker
Colors Available:
Brindle shades - red-, brown and black brindle., tan-, blue
Black, black with tan, merle, buff ASCOB
Coat:
Short and smooth
Long, fine, shiney
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Cheerful, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Stubborn
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. English Springer Spaniel vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  2. Brittany vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  3. English Setter vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  4. French Brittany vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  5. Boykin Spaniel vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  6. Pudelpointer vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  7. American Water Spaniel vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  8. Picardy Spaniel vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  9. Braque d'Auvergne vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  10. Barbet vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  11. Ariege Pointer vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  12. Pont-Audemer Spaniel vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  13. Irish Water Spaniel vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  14. Blue Picardy Spaniel vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  15. Canadian Pointer vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  16. Deutsch Drahthaar vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  17. Clumber Spaniel vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  18. Stabyhoun vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  19. Styrian Coarse Haired Hound vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  20. Vizsla vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  21. Large Munsterlander vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  22. Tyrolean Hound vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  23. Cockalier vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  24. Braque du Bourbonnais vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  25. Cesky Fousek vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  26. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Plott Hound - Breed Comparison
  27. Saluki vs Plott Hound - Breed Comparison
  28. Rajapalayam vs Plott Hound - Breed Comparison
  29. Plott Hound vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  30. Plott Hound vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  31. Plott Hound vs Francais Blanc et Noir - Breed Comparison
  32. Plott Hound vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  33. Plott Hound vs Borzoi - Breed Comparison
  34. Plott Hound vs Black and Tan Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  35. Plott Hound vs Mountain Cur - Breed Comparison
  36. Plott Hound vs Black Mouth Cur - Breed Comparison
  37. Plott Hound vs American English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  38. Plott Hound vs Petit Gascon Saintongeois - Breed Comparison
  39. Plott Hound vs Otterhound - Breed Comparison
  40. Plott Hound vs Ibizan Hound - Breed Comparison
  41. Plott Hound vs Austrian Black and Tan Hound - Breed Comparison
  42. Plott Hound vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison
  43. Plott Hound vs Azawakh - Breed Comparison
  44. Plott Hound vs Hanover Hound - Breed Comparison
  45. Plott Hound vs Majestic Tree Hound - Breed Comparison
  46. Plott Hound vs Chart Polski - Breed Comparison
  47. Plott Hound vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  48. Plott Hound vs Hortaya Borzaya - Breed Comparison
  49. Plott Hound vs Circassian Orloff Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  50. Mudhol Hound vs Plott Hound - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds