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Rhode Scholar Bob Plott to Give Presentation on History of Plott Hounds at Watauga County Library Aug. 23

Aug. 18, 2014. On Saturday, Aug. 23, at 2 p.m., the Watauga County Public Library in association with the North Carolina Humanities NCHumnCncLogoCouncil and the National Endowment for the Humanities will welcome Rhode Scholar Bob Plott. Plott is an award-winning North Carolina native who has published several books on hunting and the premier big game hunting dog breed in America – the Plott Hound

The Plott Bear Hound is the official state dog of North Carolina and is widely recognized as one of the world’s premier big game hunting hounds. The breed is unique in many ways including its Germanic origins, distinctive appearance, fierce loyalty, tenacity and intelligence. But it is the story of the breed that truly sets it apart from all others.

The story begins in 1750 when the breed’s original founder, Johannes George Plott, and his brother Enoch, left germany with their prized hunting dogs. Their trip across the Atlantic began the two-hundred year journey that would culminate in the mountains of North Carolina with the development of what is now considered by many to be the world’s finest breed of hunting dog.

This fascinating story of the Plott family and the Plott hound is a classic American tale of adventure with roots deeply entrenched in North Carolina soil and American history and culture. And it is a story that award-winning author and historian Bob Plott, the great-great-great grandson of Johannes George Plott, is uniquely qualified to tell.

Bob will be accompanied by William Ritter, an outstanding young musician and mountain scholar who will share music and mountain ballads.