The Story of the Plott Hound: Strike & Stay (NC) (The History Press)
The Story of the Plott Hound: Strike & Stayis the brand new book about my favorite hunting breed, the Plott. The work is authored by Bob Plott, the great-great-great grandson of German immigrant Johannes Plott, the man credited with bringing the breed to America in 1750. The 188-page, perfect bound, soft-cover volume features the unique artwork of Elizabeth Ellison, whose composite drawing of a Plott dog is a blend of several different Plott dogs as well as her own unique perception of the breed. The cover is striking and is the harbinger of excellent things to come as one turns to the first page.The book consists of twelve chapters and an interesting and well-written foreword by noted Plott historian and fellow North Carolinian to Bob Plott, John Jackson.Strike & Stayshowcases the writing talents of Bob Plott and is augmented by several historic photos of the breed and of the family that engineered its success throughout the volume.The book is unique in that it at last represents an entire volume devoted to our breed, with the added bonus of being written by a member of the Plott family himself. Therein may lie the book s initial appeal to readers. As one begins to turn the pages, the story of the Plott and the Plott family comes to life in an informative, authoritative way but also in a manner that reveals the author s sincerity and candor as he seeks to find for himself the answers to his family s history and to that of the breed of dog for which the family is so very well known.The photographs inStrike & Stayare outstanding. My personal favorite is of Von Plott in the chapter titled The Big Five, in which the last of the famous hunters and breeders of the Plott family is shown with three Plott dogs, Jake, Maude, and Boss. The dogs are uniform in size and type and display precisely the Plott dog I try to emphasize in the Plott seminars I conduct across the nation as part of the educational process for conformation dog show judges. This photo was taken in 1920.Perhaps more so than with any other segment of Plott dog enthusiasts, Plott s book will appeal to history buffs.Strike & Stayis the most in depth expose on the breed to date and a work that no serious Plott enthusiast should ignore. From its origins in Germany to its newfound home in America, the Plott dog s history, purpose for being, and astonishing achievements as the premier big game hunter in the canine world, are examined, explained, and extolled in this volume. From this point forward, anyone who calls himself a dedicated fancier or serious student of the Plott breed will not be able to do so with any measure of sincerity without first having read this book.I highly recommend this volume to anyone with a genuine interest in one of the dog world s most fascinating breeds. --Steve FielderAlthough many folks know the Plott hound is our official North Carolina state dog, fewer are aware of the breed s fascinating history. Now, thanks to Bob Plott and his new book, that situation has been rectified. Plott has a special connection with the breed he s written about. He s the great-great-great grandson of Johannes Plott, a German immigrant who came to America in 1750 with the ancestors of today s Plott hounds in town. That link gives Strike and Stay a personal touch. In addition to the Plott family s involvement, the book traces the progressive refinement of their four-legged namesake and some of the legendary personalities that were involved in breeding and hunting the type. Plott hounds were bred for going after big game, and Strike and Stay has plenty of action stories showcasing the breed s remarkable abilities. As Plott writes, the breed is well known for being iron-willed and feisty. Supporting that claim, he recounts a wealth of examples where Plott hounds past and present have charged fearle --Alan HodgeAlthough many folks know the Plott hound is our official North Carolina state dog, fewer are aware of the breed s fascinating history. Now, thanks to Bob Plott and his new book, that situation has been rectified. Plott has a special connection with the breed he s written about. He s the great-great-great grandson of Johannes Plott, a German immigrant who came to America in 1750 with the ancestors of today s Plott hounds in town. That link gives Strike and Stay a personal touch. In addition to the Plott family s involvement, the book traces the progressive refinement of their four-legged namesake and some of the legendary personalities that were involved in breeding and hunting the type.  Plott hounds were bred for going after big game, and Strike and Stay has plenty of action stories showcasing the breed s remarkable abilities. As Plott writes, the breed is well known for being iron-willed and feisty. Supporting that claim, he recounts a wealth of examples where Plott hounds past and present have charged fearlessly into the fray against beasts, including bears. One archival picture among the dozens included in the book shows a Plott hound and a wild boar engaged in a fearsome struggle. Strike and Stay is not only for dog lovers Plott s pages can be enjoyed from a historical and human interest perspective as well. Either way, this is one book where it would be worth it to put one s nose the ground and follow the trail to a copy. --Alan Hodge