Alfalfa is a Plott Hound who is great with other dogs.  He came to us from a shelter who was overwhelmed with dogs.  That's right -- lots of shelters are overwhelmed these days so we need your support more than ever so please think about giving Alfalfa his forever home.

 

Foster Update 11/02:  Alfy is still doing great!!!!!  We are doing very well on the heeling and we almost have "leave it" down pat, it gets a little tricky when he sees a squirrel or bird--but that is his breed. The "stay" is what we will be concentrating on now...it is hard for puppies to stay still in one spot. On Sunday we walked around Lake Eola in downtown and he got along with everyone and everything. He is very interesteed in meeting other dogs, and the great thing about Alfy is that he is not a barker when he sees another dog. He just goes up to the dog slowly and calmly--unless he knows the dog then he gets excited to see a friend.  He has started chewing everything, but he is very good with knowing what he can and can not chew. We have a ton of chew toys, sometimes he will try to chew something he is not suppose to, all you have to say is "Uh UH Alfy, NO" and give him a toy he can have. It is almost like he is saying "oops I didn't know we couldn't chew the dog bed" and he will not touch it again.   He is just the perfect little companion.

 

Foster Update 10/24:     I just wanted to let everyone know how Alfy was doing. He is the sweetest lil peanut in the whole world. He loves to be pet and snuggled with, so much so that if you start petting him he will stay in whatever position he was in until you stop.  Nap time is his favorite because he can snuggle with us in bed.  Having said this because of his breed he very high energy. We usually go to the dog park everyday for around 2 hours (Fleet Peeples) and even then he is not as tired as my other dogs.  He loves to run all over the park and play chase with the other dogs, he will swim but only if he is following another dog into the lake.  At the dog park he gets a long with everyone, he is still a puppy so he is learning some doggy manners, and you sometimes have to remind him to play easy.  He needs a home where someone is a jogger or likes to take very long walks or even go to the dog park at least everyother day. He loves to play with my great dane so another dog around his age would be perfect for him.  He is a very fast learner and is very responsive to voice commands. He knows "sit" and "down", and we are working on "leave it" and "stay."  He walks very well on the leash but sometimes his nose gets going and he tends to pull a little bit, you just have to gently remind him "no pull." Alfy is a great great dog, all he lives for is love, food and the outdoors.

 

Be sure to watch Alfalfa's video!

 

According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, the Plott Hound is a medium-sized, muscular dog that is soundly put-together. The short, glossy, dense coat usually comes in brindle but also comes in slate blue and buckskin; many with black saddles. It has a long, high-held tail when the dog is alert. The large, long ears are characteristic of the breed. The thigh muscles are lean and powerful giving it lots of energy. The strong feet have webbed toes. The Plott Hound is the only American hound without British ancestry. The breed's designated name honors its American founders and family tree. Seven generations of the Jonathan Plott family, beginning in the 1750's, bred their dogs exclusively within the family. A mix of bloodhounds and curs reportedly comprised the original stock. The dog's working claim to fame is coldtrailing bear and raccoons in the Appalachian, Blue Ridge, and Great Smoky Mountains of the Eastern United States. The Plott Hound is American through and through. The Plotts family have only rarely put these dogs on the market; so while the breed was officially recognized in 1946, it is still rare outside the southern states. Its is most efficient in the search for coyotes, wolves, and wildcats. They are extremely hardy and have superior hunting instincts. The breed has been carefully developed to be stronger and more persistent. They can make a good family companion but are seldom kept as one. Most people get these dogs for the hunt. The breed's "all-in-the-family" background makes it a fine companion. Loyal and intelligent, the Plott Hound is quick to learn and quick to love and is good with children. Their personable natures are surely not evident on the trail. This large game hunter and scenthound has great courage. Determined, courageous and proud, it will play chicken with a 500-pound papa bear or a ticked off boar. The Plott has a curiously sharp and high-pitched voice, unlike the deep-throated howl common to other coonhounds. Socialize this breed at an early age and be sure to teach it simple obedience like walking on a leash. This breed tends to drool and slobber. The Plott Hound is considered the hardiest of the coonhounds. This breed has no road sense at all and should be kept in a safe area becase they have a tendency to wander. They have a life expectancy of 12-14 years.