Is the Golden Retriever Better than the Plott as a Pet? Answer…

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Golden Retriever Versus Plott: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Golden Retriever and the Plott? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Golden 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 Golden Retriever and the Plott.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Golden 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 Golden 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Golden 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 Golden Retriever or the Plott.

Golden Retriever versus Plott: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Golden 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.

Golden Retriever versus Plott: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Golden 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Golden Retriever and the Plott

Factor Golden Retriever Plott
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Height 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder 20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Weight 55 to 75 pounds 40 to 75 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1870 $600
Price Range $1500 – $2200 $480 – $700
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination (evaluations annually for the dog`s lifetime)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 3 161

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Golden 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 the Golden Retriever is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Plott is 74 out of 125.

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

    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 Golden 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 Golden Retriever and the Plott

    Below is a list of where the Golden Retriever and the Plott are most different:

  • Golden Retrievers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Plotts are very easy to groom.
  • Golden 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
  • Golden Retrievers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Plotts have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Golden Retrievers have a very high tendency to drool. However, Plotts do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Golden Retrievers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Plotts do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Golden Retriever and the Plott

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

  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Plott do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Plott do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Plott are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Plott are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Plott get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Plott are very easy to train.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Plott have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Plott require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Golden Retriever versus Plott

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Golden Retriever and the Plott.

    Golden Retrievers weigh 55 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Golden Retrievers are 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder 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.

    Lifespan of Golden Retriever versus Plott

    The lifespan of Golden Retrievers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Golden Retrievers is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Plotts is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Plotts is 13.0 years.

    Plotts live longer than Golden Retrievers.

    Price of Golden Retriever versus Price of Plott

    The average price of the Golden Retriever puppy is $1870. The price of the Golden Retriever typically ranges from $1500 – $2200. However, the price of a Golden Retriever can be as low as $100 and as high as $6500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2668 Golden Retriever puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Plott puppy is $600. The price of the Plott typically ranges from $480 – $700. However, the price of the Plott can be as low as $300 and as high as $800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 17 Plott puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Golden Retriever is more expensive than the Plott.

    Golden Retriever Plott
    Average Price $1870 $600
    Price Range $1500 to $2200 $480 to $700

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Golden Retriever and Plott. For different price points, the charts show how many Golden Retriever puppies or how many Plott puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Golden Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Golden Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Plotts?

    A breakdown of the prices of Plotts?

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Golden Retriever puppy or the Plott puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Adopting the Golden Retriever versus Adopting the Plott

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Golden Retrievers and many Plotts are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Golden Retriever named D837 that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Golden Retrievers like D837 on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Golden Retrievers, Plotts are also available for adoption. For example, Blitzen is a Male Plott that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Plotts like Blitzen that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Golden Retriever and the Plott can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Bear is the name of another Golden Retriever (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Golden Retrievers and Plotts that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Golden 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 Golden Retriever and the Plott over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Golden Retriever is more popular with dog owners than the Plott. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Golden Retriever is 3 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Plott is 161 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Golden Retriever

    Popularity of Golden Retriever

    Popularity of Plott

    Popularity of Plott

    Year Golden Retriever Popularity Rank Plott Popularity Rank
    2013 3 149
    2014 3 154
    2015 3 149
    2016 3 158
    2017 3 166
    2018 3 171
    2019 3 177
    2020 4 167

    Tolerates Being Alone: Golden Retriever versus Plott

    Golden Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Plotts do not like to be left alone.

    Do Golden Retrievers shed more than Plotts?

    Golden Retrievers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

    Which one drools more, the Golden Retriever or the Plott

    Golden Retrievers have a very high tendency to drool.

    Plotts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Golden Retriever or the Plott?

    Golden Retrievers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Plotts are very easy to groom.

    Does the Golden Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Plott?

    Golden Retrievers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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.

    Do Golden Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Plotts?

    Golden Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Golden Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Plotts Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Golden Retrievers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Golden Retriever vs. Plott

    Golden Retrievers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

    Can Golden Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Plotts Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Golden Retrievers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Plotts can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Golden Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Plotts get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Golden Retrievers good family dogs? What about Plotts?

    Golden 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 Golden Retrievers and Plotts?

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

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

    Is the Golden Retriever Easier to Train than the Plott?

    Golden Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Plotts are very easy to train.

    Is the Golden Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Plott?

    Golden Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Plotts do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Golden Retriever or the Plott?

    Golden Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.

    Plotts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Golden Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Golden 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 Golden Retriever:

  • Aussiedoodle (74 percent match with Golden Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Plott vs Aussiedoodle.
  • Irish Setter (72 percent match with Golden Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Plott vs Irish Setter.
  • Labrador Retriever (75 percent match with Golden Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Plott vs Labrador Retriever.
  • 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 Golden Retriever vs Patterdale Terrier.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (77 percent match with Plott). Here is our comparison of the Golden Retriever vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Golden Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Golden Retriever versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Golden Retriever versus Clumber Spaniel     Golden Retriever versus German Shepherd Dog     Golden Retriever versus Korean Jindo Dog     Golden Retriever versus Norwich Terrier     Golden Retriever versus Finnish Spitz     Golden Retriever versus Basenji     Golden Retriever versus Catahoula Bulldog     Golden Retriever versus Maremma Sheepdog     Golden Retriever versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Golden Retriever versus Pomapoo     Golden Retriever versus Akita     Golden Retriever versus Leonberger     Golden Retriever versus Tibetan Mastiff     Golden Retriever versus Bloodhound     Golden Retriever versus Sealyham Terrier     Golden Retriever versus Basset Hound     Golden Retriever versus Coton de Tulear     Golden Retriever versus Papipoo     Golden Retriever versus Norwegian Lundehund     Golden Retriever versus Cesky Terrier     Golden Retriever versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Golden Retriever versus Bulldog     Golden Retriever versus King Shepherd     Golden Retriever versus Border Collie     

    Plott Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Plott versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Plott versus Brussels Griffon     Plott versus Dachshund     Plott versus Biewer Terrier     Plott versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Plott versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Plott versus Skye Terrier     Plott versus Greyhound     Plott versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Plott versus Toy Fox Terrier     Plott versus Yorkipoo     Plott versus Spinone Italiano     Plott versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Plott versus Pointer     Plott versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Plott versus Italian Greyhound     Plott versus Chinook     Plott versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Plott versus Labradoodle     Plott versus Mudi     Plott versus Cesky Terrier     Plott versus Clumber Spaniel     Plott versus Kai Ken     Plott versus Tibetan Terrier     Plott versus Bulldog     

    Conclusion: Golden 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 Golden Retriever and the Plott better suits you and your family.