Plott Hound vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison

Plott Hound vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed ComparisonPlott Hound is originated from Germany but Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) is originated from Belgium. Both Plott Hound and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) are having almost same height. Both Plott Hound and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) are having almost same weight. Both Plott Hound and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) has same life span. Both Plott Hound and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) has same litter size. Plott Hound requires Low maintenance. But Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) requires High 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.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael - historyLooking much like a pitch black German Shepherd dog, the Belgian Shepherd is a beautiful looking dog. Their roots go back to the 1800s to Groenendael, Belgium. This is where they were bred by a certain Nicolas Rose in 1910. The Groenendael is one of four different Belgian Sheepdog varieties but the Groenendael is sometimes treated as a distinct breed.

They have always been used for their intelligence, serving for instance in the police force and being message carriers in war situations. Originally, Belgian Shepherds were used to herd livestock. It was in 1911 that the Groenendael was registered in the United States, and not much later the first Belgian Sheepdog Club of America formed. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1912.

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.

Large, Strong and Well Proportioned

belgian shepherd dog groenendael puppy - descriptionWith his alert, bright brown eyes, the Groenendael, referred to often as the Belgian Sheepdog, has erect ears with a long, feathered tail. The straight, strong legs are also feathered. He is well proportioned, athletic and strong. He has a dense double coat, and this working dog’s coat is black, but you sometimes find some small white markings around his paws and muzzle. The size of the Groenendael is roughly 60-66cm at the withers with the females sometimes being slightly smaller. The weight of the dog is roughly 25–30 kilograms.

He’s a Social Dog who Craves Companionship

The Groenendael is an active, intelligent breed and training and socializing will be necessary to ensure he knows how to behave around his human family. He is a big, social dog and won’t do well when left alone day after day in the back yard. In fact he may even show signs of separation anxiety if you leave him indefinitely. He makes for an excellent family dog, just loving their companionship and he becomes very protective of them.

An Intelligent, Alert Breed

He is used to making use of his intelligence and therefore he will need mental stimulation as opposed to lying around all day. He gets on well with adults, children and other pets, but he needs to grow up with children and not be put among children when he is already an adult. He is loyal and loving to his human family, forming a deep bond, especially with just one member of the family.

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.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael dog - characteristicsYour Belgian Shepherd is an intelligent, active, loyal companion for you. He is highly intelligent too, and will need the right owner who can meet his energetic needs. He therefore wouldn’t do well with in a small place where the owners are couch potatoes. He is a working dog and will require being kept busy.

Provide him with good food, look after that thick, lustrous coat of his, provide him with a warm, dry place to sleep and plenty of exercise, love and attention and he will turn out to be the wonderful pet that makes him such a popular breed.

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.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael puppies - health problemsThe Belgian Groenendael is a healthy, strong breed with no major health problems and with an average lifespan of 12-14 years.

As with every dog breed, there will be some health issues to be aware of. Skin allergies, epilepsy, eye problems and hip- and joint dysplasia are some areas to look out for

Dental disease for instance, is a common problem with pets, and your Belgian Shepherd can have serious problems with their teeth. Tartar build-up on the teeth ca take you down a trail of infections and gum disease. If you don’t want to make use of a special canine toothbrush and toothpaste, your vet will do it for you.

Your Groenendael will also be susceptible to ticks, fleas and bacterial and viral infections. As a puppy of 6 – 8 weeks, vaccinations for parvo, rabies, and distemper will be necessary. You’ll also need to be generally watching your pet’s health and to get him to the vet when he shows signs of being run-down and ill.

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.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael dogs - caringThe Groenendael has a double coat and because it is also fairly long, his black coat may well be high maintenance and brushing every 2nd day will be necessary to keep the coat unmatted and to also get rid of those loose hairs. In fact, heavy shedding is part of this breed’s life and while heavy shedding happens twice a year, light shedding continues throughout the year. Sometimes is may be necessary to send him to a dog grooming parlour to snip his hair and to wash it.

Other care routines to watch for -

A healthy, quality diet it absolutely imperative. Speak to your vet about the best kind of wet- or dry food suited to an energetic breed like this and appropriate to his age. You need to include raw meat into your pets diet every day now and then to avoid skin problems. Always ensure a bowl of clean, cool water is available, The bowl will need to be washed out every other day.

make sure his ears are cleaned. Once again you have to be careful when prodding in a dog’s ear and your veterinarian will show you how.

keep him well exercised with long walks and ball games.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Working dog
Origin:
Germany
Belgium
Height Male:
50 - 71 cm
19 - 28 inches
60 - 66 cm
23 - 26 inches
Height Female:
50 - 71 cm
19 - 28 inches
56 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
18 - 27 kg
39 - 60 pounds
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
18 - 27 kg
39 - 60 pounds
23 - 30 kg
50 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 10
6 - 10
Size:
Large dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Plott , Plotthund
Belgian Groenendael, Belgian Shepherd, AKC: Belgian Sheepdog
Colors Available:
Brindle shades - red-, brown and black brindle., tan-, blue
Black
Coat:
Short and smooth
Dense double coat
Shedding:
Minimal
Constant, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Plott Hound - Breed Comparison
  2. Saluki vs Plott Hound - Breed Comparison
  3. Rajapalayam vs Plott Hound - Breed Comparison
  4. Plott Hound vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  5. Plott Hound vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  6. Plott Hound vs Francais Blanc et Noir - Breed Comparison
  7. Plott Hound vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  8. Plott Hound vs Borzoi - Breed Comparison
  9. Plott Hound vs Black and Tan Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  10. Plott Hound vs Mountain Cur - Breed Comparison
  11. Plott Hound vs Black Mouth Cur - Breed Comparison
  12. Plott Hound vs American English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  13. Plott Hound vs Petit Gascon Saintongeois - Breed Comparison
  14. Plott Hound vs Otterhound - Breed Comparison
  15. Plott Hound vs Ibizan Hound - Breed Comparison
  16. Plott Hound vs Austrian Black and Tan Hound - Breed Comparison
  17. Plott Hound vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison
  18. Plott Hound vs Azawakh - Breed Comparison
  19. Plott Hound vs Hanover Hound - Breed Comparison
  20. Plott Hound vs Majestic Tree Hound - Breed Comparison
  21. Plott Hound vs Chart Polski - Breed Comparison
  22. Plott Hound vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  23. Plott Hound vs Hortaya Borzaya - Breed Comparison
  24. Plott Hound vs Circassian Orloff Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  25. Mudhol Hound vs Plott Hound - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  27. Alaskan Malamute vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  28. Bullmastiff vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  29. Great Pyrenees vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  30. Boerboel vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  31. Presa Canario vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  32. Labrador Husky vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  33. Argentine Dogo vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  34. Giant Schnauzer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  35. Goldador vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  36. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  37. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  38. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  39. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  40. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  41. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  42. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  43. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  44. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  45. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  46. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Alano Espanol - Breed Comparison
  47. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  48. Dogo Cubano vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  49. Dogo Sardesco vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  50. Central Asian Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds