OTTERHOUND
APPEARANCE
The Otterhound is a large, rough-coated hound with an imposing head. It is a rough-coated hound whose body is thickly boned and filled with dense muscle, making it strong and able to do a hard day’s work. The large head consists of an equally large and strong muzzle with a scissors bite capable of a powerful and crushing grip. The Otterhound has a long double coat. The outer coat of this breed should be dense, coarse, rough and crisp giving a shaggy appearance, while the undercoat should be soft and wooly.
PERSONALITY
The Otterhound is a happy and affectionate breed that gets along with everyone. He is a dog that is very independent and strong minded, yet is also extremely affectionate and loving. These dogs love to play and exercise, and should be in an environment where there is plenty of space to enjoy activity. He also needs to be with a family that has the time to commit to a pet.
TRAINING
The Otterhound is not known for its attentive behavior during training so they will need a very patient owner. Training of this breed will need to be firm but gentle as these dogs want to please, they just naturally have their minds elsewhere. They are also known for being stubborn so consistency is key during obedience lessons. Due to their breed function, the Otterhound was not bred to be a companion and training will be a bit difficult as they were meant to sniff out and hunt at their own pace.
EXERCISE
Otterhounds need and want a fair amount of exercise, particularly when young, so though you don’t need a huge yard, you do need a fenced area for them. If the area is not big, taking the dog on long walks or dog jogging will make them properly exercised. This dog loves to swim and run so he does require daily exercise.
SOCIALIZATION
The Otterhound gets along well with children, and with proper socialization should get along okay with other dogs - he should be socialized early on with cats and should not be trusted with smaller animals, as he does have strong hunting instincts. With strangers the reaction of the Otterhound can vary, and some may be reserved whereas others may be friendly.
LIVING CONDITIONS
A large yard is best for the Otterhound. This dog loves to swim and run so he does require daily exercise.
GROOMING
This breed has a long coat and will need regular brushing about 2-3 times per week. Their coat will tangle easily so grooming is essential. Bathing should not be done often because it will strip the natural oils in their skin which lubricates their coat so it does not become dry. Grooming also gives you a good chance to find any unusual lumps and bumps on the dog, and will keep shedding under control. The Otterhound is a medium shedder, and may shed more heavily on a seasonal basis, which means that he is not the ideal choice for allergy sufferers.
HEALTH ISSUES
The Otterhound has a life expectancy of around 10-14 years. This is generally a hardy breed, but there are some health problems to look out for. This breed is prone to hip dysplasia, bloat, and hemophilia. They are generally a healthy breed as only some lines will be more prone to hip dysplasia so when obtaining a puppy, the parents should have their hips OFA checked.
HISTORY
The Otterhound originates from Great Britain, and was once used in packs to hung otter, hence his name. This breed is though to be related to a number of breeds, including the bloodhound. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1910.
