Curly-Coated Retriever versus Plott. Final Verdict on Which is a Better Pet.

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Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Plott: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Curly-Coated Retriever and for the Plott. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Plott

Curly-Coated Retriever versus Plott: Overview

Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott are similar in size. The Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Curly-Coated Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

On the other hand, the Plott belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Curly-Coated Retriever versus Plott: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Curly-Coated Retriever to the Plott based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Factor Curly-Coated Retriever Plott
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Height 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Weight 65 to 100 pounds 40 to 75 pounds
Life Span 9 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 13.0 years
Price Range No Data $480 – $700
Average Price No Data $600
Temperament Score 91.7 percent No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Cord-1 PRA
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • GSD IIIa
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•  No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 162 161

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Curly-Coated Retriever in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Plott. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for a Curly-Coated Retriever is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Plott is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Curly-Coated Retriever is a better pet than the Plott. So, you should get the Curly-Coated Retriever!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott

    Below is a list of where the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott are most different:

  • Curly-Coated Retrievers have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Plotts are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds

    • The Similarities Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott

    The Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott are most similar:

  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott are very easy to train.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Plott

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers weigh 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Curly-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Plotts weigh 40 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Plotts are 20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    The Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Popularity of Plott

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Plott is more popular with dog owners than the Curly-Coated Retriever. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Plott is 161 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Curly-Coated Retriever is 162 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever

    Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever

    Popularity of Plott

    Popularity of Plott

    Year Curly-Coated Retriever Popularity Rank Plott Popularity Rank
    2013 163 149
    2014 163 154
    2015 151 149
    2016 164 158
    2017 171 166
    2018 162 171
    2019 163 177
    2020 159 167

    Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Plott?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Plotts do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which one drools more, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Plott

    Curly-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Plotts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Plott?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.

    Plotts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Plott

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Plotts do not like to be left alone.

    Do Curly-Coated Retrievers shed more than Plotts?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.

    Plotts do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Plott?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are moderately easy to groom.

    Plotts are very easy to groom.

    Do Curly-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Plotts?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Plotts are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Plotts Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Plotts cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Plotts Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Plotts can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Plott?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Plotts get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Plott?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Plotts are very easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Curly-Coated Retriever vs. Plott

    Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Plotts have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Are Curly-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Plotts?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Plotts are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Curly-Coated Retrievers and Plotts?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Plotts get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Does the Curly-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Plott?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Plotts have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Curly-Coated Retriever:

  • Airedale Terrier (82 percent match with Curly-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Plott vs Airedale Terrier.
  • English Springer Spaniel (79 percent match with Curly-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Plott vs English Springer Spaniel.
  • Irish Setter (82 percent match with Curly-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Plott vs Irish Setter.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Plott

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Plott that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Plott:

  • Patterdale Terrier (77 percent match with Plott). Here is our comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever vs Patterdale Terrier.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (77 percent match with Plott). Here is our comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Curly-Coated Retriever and how the Plott compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever and of the Plott to other breeds:

    Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Curly-Coated Retriever versus Bulldog     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Great Dane     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Irish Setter     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Bouvier des Flandres     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Lowchen     Curly-Coated Retriever versus English Setter     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Field Spaniel     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Collie     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Saluki     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Bichon Frise     

    Plott Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Plott versus Bulldog     Plott versus Borzoi     Plott versus Vizsla     Plott versus Puggle     Plott versus Lhasapoo     Plott versus Cockalier     Plott versus Korean Jindo Dog     Plott versus Sussex Spaniel     Plott versus Leonberger     Plott versus Spinone Italiano     

    Conclusion: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Plott. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Plott better suits you and your family.