This photo shows the result of sound breeding. Berry is pictured with Tarlton’s Big Dan and Tarlton’s Houston Valley Jerry. Yes, there is a bear in the tree! Big Dan, on left, is a typical Houston Valley hound. Well bred, well socialized, and on his way to being a top shelf Plott. Jerry, on right, is a nice young female that was given to Berry by Jerry Gosnell of Marshall, N.C. She is also an example of quality breeding and is an excellent addition to the Houston Valley line (Thanks Jerry). Look at those young dogs tree!

Qualities we consider important in top bear dogs!

Intelligence - A top bear dog must have “brains”. A smart dog will work his way through problems and situations that leave other dogs stumped. Without intelligence no other quality matters.

Disposition - Bear dogs should be aggressive on bear but not toward people or other dogs. Your children should be able to play with your Plotts.

Desire - A top bear dog has “drive”. They don’t have to be coaxed to do their job. They do it because they’ve been bred to do it. They can’t stop doing it! It’s in their blood.

Nose - A dog can’t strike what it cannot smell. The best bear dogs are not the “me too” pack dogs that ride the tide of other dogs. They can find and track their own bear.

Grit! True Grit! - We prefer dogs that pull hair and sink teeth. If a bear can walk on the ground and enjoy the day while a pack of bear dogs bark at him something needs to change. Top dogs have “true grit” and will not allow any bear to stroll through the woods like he’s on a Sunday picnic.

Speed/Endurance - A bear should be pushed hard if he refuses to tree. Big lumbering dogs can’t keep up in a hot race. If the race lasts several hours and miles the dogs should out last the bear.

Tree Power - A bear dog must stay treed until the man with the “smoke pole” arrives or dawn breaks over the mountain.

Our Goals!

Our goal has not changed in our entire history! We seek to maintain a quality line of Plotts that can strike, run, catch, and tree bears to our satisfaction. If you are looking for a competition coon dog you may need to find another breeder. If you are looking for a bear dog you’ve come to the right place.

Meeting the Standard!

• All of our dogs are hunted in the rugged mountains of east Tennessee and western North Carolina. If a dog doesn’t do its job it will not be kept on our chain. Our dogs are sometimes taken to field trials (bear bays) but they are not field trial dogs. They are hunting dogs and must do the job in the woods.
  
  
• We do not keep or breed to non-hunting females. This practice held by some breeders is a scam. A dog is not worth breeding because it has a “grand” pedigree. All of our females are hunting females.
  
  
• Berry, Charles and Rocky continually evaluate their puppies through every stage of growth. If a cross doesn’t produce the desired result it is not made again.

Pups are available on a limited basis to qualified bear hunters. Puppies are normally $200 and are sold on a first come first served basis. To reserve a pup call Berry Tarlton (423-639-3579) or e-mail T.L. Jones at hvplottswest@aol.com

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