I had a Plott hound in college. Sweet, yet the dumbest animal I've every had; However, its ability to track a scent was amazing.
Its kind of hard to ju8dge intelligence in people or dogs.
A Plott Hound may appear less "trainable" than a poodle or German Shepherd, but they weren't developed to do tricks or chase criminals. Their "intelligence" lies in another area.
I have always wondered why they don't use Plotts, Black and Tans, and other hounds more in ssearch and rescue work.
German Shepherds are great for apprehending criminals, but they can't work a trail or find a lost person as well as hounds can. And plotts are smaller than Bloodhounds and probably have noses nearly as good, or even just as good.
I read about another type called the Otter Hound. It looks like a big hairy Bloodhound and can actually follow a trail through water. They are an ancient breed going back to the time of King RIchard and King John but are now in danger of dying out as they are a rare breed. Again, use of them in search and rescue work woould help preserve a noble animal.
At any rate, I'd love to get a Plott Hound.