Which hound was designated North Carolina's official state dog in 1989?

The Plott Hound was designated North Carolina’s official state dog in 1989.

The Plott is a large scent hound known for stamina, courage, and tracking ability. The North Carolina General Assembly selected it in 1989, recognizing a breed whose development is closely tied to the state’s western mountains and the Plott family. It was originally bred for hunting bear and other large game.

The breed’s American story begins with Johannes George Plott, who emigrated from Germany to North Carolina around 1750 with several Hanoverian hounds used for boar and bear hunting. His family continued developing the line, especially in western North Carolina. The nearby Plott Balsam mountain range also carries the family name.

The Plott is distinctive among American coonhounds because it does not descend primarily from the foxhound lines associated with many other coonhound breeds. Its short, glossy coat is characteristically brindled, although accepted shades vary. The breed was registered with the United Kennel Club in 1946 and recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2006.