The Otterhound has been known in Britain since the 13th century where he was used to work in packs to hunt river otter that robbed the streams of fish. With his webbed feet and swimming endurance, the Otterhound is definitely a water dog. In North America, the Otterhound has been used to hunt mink, raccoon, mountain lion and bear. This is a rare breed with fewer than 1000 dogs worldwide. The largest population exists in the U.K and the U.S. as well as smaller numbers in the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Canada. His ancestry includes the Bloodhound and he is an ancestor to the Airedale Terrier.
He is described as a boisterous, even-tempered dog with true devotion to his owner. This is an active breed that requires lots of outdoor activity, including being able to swim. They excel at tracking, enjoy obedience as well as agility and other dog sports.
The Otterhound is a large and strong dog weighing up to 125 lbs for a mature male. They are known to be affectionate but not demanding in attention. They generally get along well with other dogs and animals when raised with them or carefully introduced. Due to their size, caution must be exercised around small children and frail elderly people.
His outer coat is dense, rough, coarse and crisp and he has a water-resistant undercoat of short, wooly and slightly oily hair. The most common colour is grizzle or sandy with black and tan more or less clearly defined.
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Health Issues:
The Otterhound is generally a very healthy breed with an average life expectancy of 10 to 13 years with some living to 15 or 16. However, like many of the large breed dogs, the Otterhound is susceptible to Hip Dysplasia and Bloat. In addition, Otterhounds are subject to a potentially fatal bleeding disorder and all breeding stock should be DNA tested for this disease.
If you are considering the adoption of a Otterhound puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy's parents have all health clearances. Breeding of any dog should not be done until after they have been proven to be free of evidence of significant hereditary diseases. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see the articles on the main Breed Listing and Breeders page.)
Additional Health Resources:
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Breed Standards:
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AKC OTTERHOUND VIDEO
20 Min. Video Edition, Published by the AKC
Discussion of the breed standard: good structure and movement, acceptable colors, correct head, size. Developed for breeders, exhibitors and judges.
— Available from Dogwise.com
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Grooming Information:
In general, Otterhounds are not heavy shedders and brushing on a weekly basis should suffice in order to maintain the coat and keep it from matting. The Otterhound does have hairy feet which should be kept trimmed, especially between the pads. In addition, nails require trimming at least on a monthly basis and regular cleaning of the ears is an absolute must in order to keep them clean and free of problems.
- Grooming — This section of Canada's Guide to Dogs includes tips, articles and information covering all aspects of dog grooming along with a listing of Groomers from across Canada.
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Training Resources:
- Training — For information on training your Otterhound, see this growing section of Canada's Guide to Dogs for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada.
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Additional Information:
- Otterhound Database
- Clubs, Sports & Activities — This section of Canada's Guide to Dogs includes information on several dog sports and activities as well as listings of non-breed specific clubs from across Canada. (Note: For breed specific clubs, see the Breed Clubs section.)
- Working Dogs — Dedicated to the working dog. This section includes tributes, information on various dog jobs, and listings of organizations from across Canada.
