Leonberger versus Plott. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Leonberger Versus Plott: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Leonberger 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 Leonberger 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 Leonberger and the Plott.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Leonberger 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 Leonberger 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 Leonberger 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 Leonberger or the Plott.

Leonberger versus Plott: Overview

A very important difference between the Leonberger and the Plott is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Leonberger is a giant-sized dog while the Plott is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Leonberger belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Leonberger versus Plott: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Leonberger 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 Leonberger and the Plott

Factor Leonberger Plott
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 4/5
General Health 1/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Weight 120 to 170 pounds 40 to 75 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Height 25 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder 20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Intelligence 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $870 $600
Price Range $300 – $1150 $480 – $700
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • CGC
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Leonberger Polyneuropathy (LPN1)
  • Leonberger Polyneuropathy 2
  • Leukoencephalomyelopathy (LEMP)
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 97 161

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Leonberger 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 Leonberger is 63 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 Leonberger. 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 Leonberger and the Plott so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Leonberger and the Plott

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

  • Leonbergers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, Plotts can tolerate hot weather.
  • Leonbergers 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
  • Leonbergers 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.
  • Leonbergers can tolerate cold weather. However, Plotts cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Leonbergers 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 Leonberger and the Plott

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

  • Both the Leonberger and the Plott do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Plott are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Plott do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Plott are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Leonberger 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 Leonberger and the Plott get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Plott are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Plott gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Plott are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Plott have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Plott have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Plott do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Plott require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Plott are very playful.
  • Both the Leonberger and the Plott are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Leonberger versus Plott

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

    Leonbergers weigh 120 to 170 pounds when fully grown. Leonbergers are 25 to 31 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 Leonberger versus Plott

    The lifespan of Leonbergers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Leonbergers 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 Leonbergers.

    Price of Leonberger versus Price of Plott

    The average price of the Leonberger puppy is $870. The price of the Leonberger typically ranges from $300 – $1150. However, the price of a Leonberger can be as low as $300 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 3 Leonberger 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 Leonberger is more expensive than the Plott.

    Leonberger Plott
    Average Price $870 $600
    Price Range $300 to $1150 $480 to $700

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Leonbergers. 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 Leonberger 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.

    The Popularity of Leonberger 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 Leonberger and the Plott over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Leonberger is more popular with dog owners than the Plott. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Leonberger is 97 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Plott is 161 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Leonberger

    Popularity of Leonberger

    Popularity of Plott

    Popularity of Plott

    Year Leonberger Popularity Rank Plott Popularity Rank
    2013 98 149
    2014 104 154
    2015 93 149
    2016 95 158
    2017 100 166
    2018 93 171
    2019 95 177
    2020 98 167

    Tolerates Being Alone: Leonberger versus Plott

    Leonbergers do not like to be left alone.

    Plotts do not like to be left alone.

    Do Leonbergers shed more than Plotts?

    Leonbergers 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 Leonberger or the Plott

    Leonbergers drool moderately.

    Plotts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Leonberger or the Plott?

    Leonbergers are very easy to groom.

    Plotts are very easy to groom.

    Does the Leonberger Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Plott?

    Leonbergers 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.

    Do Leonbergers Bark and Howl? What about Plotts?

    Leonbergers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Leonbergers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Plotts Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Leonbergers can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Leonberger vs. Plott

    Leonbergers 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 Leonbergers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Plotts Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Leonbergers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Plotts can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Leonbergers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Plotts get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Leonbergers good family dogs? What about Plotts?

    Leonbergers 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 Leonbergers and Plotts?

    Leonbergers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Leonberger Easier to Train than the Plott?

    Leonbergers are not easy to train.

    Plotts are very easy to train.

    Is the Leonberger Better for Apartment Owners than the Plott?

    Leonbergers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Plotts do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Leonbergers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Plotts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Leonberger

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

  • Bernese Mountain Dog (75 percent match with Leonberger). Here is our comparison of the Plott vs Bernese Mountain Dog.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (75 percent match with Leonberger). Here is our comparison of the Plott vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
  • Mastiff (73 percent match with Leonberger). Here is our comparison of the Plott vs Mastiff.
  • 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 Leonberger vs Patterdale Terrier.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (77 percent match with Plott). Here is our comparison of the Leonberger vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Leonberger Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Leonberger versus Rottweiler     Leonberger versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Leonberger versus Schipperke     Leonberger versus Portuguese Water Dog     Leonberger versus Vizsla     Leonberger versus Plott     Leonberger versus Scottish Terrier     Leonberger versus Chorkie     Leonberger versus Cairn Terrier     Leonberger versus Norwegian Buhund     Leonberger versus Siberian Husky     Leonberger versus Chi-Poo     Leonberger versus Australian Shepherd     Leonberger versus Sussex Spaniel     Leonberger versus Afador     Leonberger versus Cocker Spaniel     Leonberger versus Irish Wolfhound     Leonberger versus Greyhound     Leonberger versus Xoloitzcuintli     Leonberger versus Frenchton     Leonberger versus Collie     Leonberger versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Leonberger versus German Shepherd Dog     Leonberger versus Pharaoh Hound     Leonberger versus Bracco Italiano     

    Plott Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Plott versus Giant Schnauzer     Plott versus Spinone Italiano     Plott versus Italian Greyhound     Plott versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Plott versus Frenchton     Plott versus Boxer     Plott versus Bouvier des Flandres     Plott versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Plott versus Pomchi     Plott versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Plott versus Yorkshire Terrier     Plott versus Irish Setter     Plott versus Spanish Mastiff     Plott versus Patterdale Terrier     Plott versus Cairn Terrier     Plott versus Scottish Deerhound     Plott versus Borzoi     Plott versus Miniature Pinscher     Plott versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Plott versus Scottish Deerhound     Plott versus Dutch Shepherd     Plott versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Plott versus Kai Ken     Plott versus Clumber Spaniel     Plott versus Peek A Poo     

    Conclusion: Leonberger 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 Leonberger and the Plott better suits you and your family.