Breed Description

The Otterhound is a large, rough-coated breed with an imposing appearance. Originally bred to hunt, these dogs are powerful and strong with amazingly long striding steps. These large dog breeds weigh between 66-115 pounds, and stands 24-27 inches tall.

Coat

The double-coated Otterhound has a rough, dense, coarse, and crisp outer coat, usually appearing broken. They have softer hair on their heads and lower legs, and outer coat may grow up to four inches on the back, and will be shorter on their extremities. Their water-repelling undercoat is short and wooly, with slightly oily characteristic. Any color or a mixture of colors is permitted.

Activity

The highly active Otterhound requires a great deal of exercise daily on a securely fenced area or on a leash. They love swimming, and should frequently be allowed to swim if possible. As with all of the hounds, they are inclined to follow any interesting scent and forget everything else. They should therefore be never allowed to run freely off leash.

Temperament

A bold and exuberant breed, the Otterhound is a cheerful, loving, friendly, and devoted breed. An excellent companion dog, this breed is generally great with children but can be clumsy around small children. They should therefore be supervised at all times. A friend to all dogs, they can naturally get along well with pets, adults, and children in general. But, they will have the tendency to chase non-canine animals. These intelligent, affectionate, and independent breed has a mind of their own. Since this breed has never been typically kept as pets, it is not one of the most responsive breeds.

Overview

The massive Otterhound was primarily bred to hunt otters in England. They were built to work, and have long been known to have a keen nose and great stamina. A playful and clownish disposition, this breed is generally affectionate and friendly with its family.

Care

The Otterhound is a low maintenance breed. They will only require weekly brushing, but twice weekly is ideal to keep their coats mat-free. If they are showed in the rings, their coats should never be clipped as they ideally have a natural-appearing coat. Beard should always be washed to prevent debris to accumulate and cake to form.

Training

Training this breed will take patience since these Otterhounds can be quite willful. They are best trained with a gentle but firm training method. As these dogs are willful and independent, training should always be firm, but never harsh. Trainers should always maintain patience as these dogs tend to ignore commands on purpose. Training should ideally start at two months of age, while they have not acquired the stubbornness of an adult Otterhound.

Character

The Otterhound is a lively and fun-loving breed well-known for their webbed feet. A naturally gregarious hound, they make great family pets, but will require consistent and even professional training at times.