Otterhound

These are big dogs with big appetites. They are also strong. Because of their large size, long swishing tail, and gregarious personality, Otterhounds should live where they can get plenty of exercise. They love people.

Otterhound breed facts

The Otterhound is a large breed of dog developed in England to hunt otter. The hunting of otters was practiced because they were preying on the fish in the rivers and streams to an annoying extent. Otter hunting is now banned.

The Otterhound has webbed feet.

Information you should know before owning an Otterhound

The Otterhound is covered with a shaggy coat that is relatively easy to care for; weekly brushings will keep shedding to a minimum.

Otterhounds get along with other animals and are good-natured with children.

Otterhounds have a melodious voice, which they are known to use freely. They are energetic dogs who need plenty of room for exercise and exploration. A fenced yard is a must for Otterhound owners.

While there are allusions to otter hunting and Otterhounds in the time of King John, who reigned in England from 1199 to 1216, it is not until Edward II (1307-1327) that there is any sort of description of the kind of dogs that made up a pack of Otterhounds. This record has been left, fortunately, by William Twici, the huntsman. He makes mention of them as a "rough sort of dog, between a hound and a terrier."

The hunting of the otter never was a so-called major sport in England, but it appears to have existed from very early times. It was first practiced because the otters were preying on the fish in the rivers and streams to an annoying extent. Later it enjoyed a considerable vogue because it was the only kind of hunting possible from April to September.

The origin of the Otterhound is shrouded in mystery, but the earliest writers advance a number of logical opinions as to its origin. The French Origin of the Otterhound appears to be one of the most reasonable. The opinion of one such writer, Marples, states it is almost the exact duplicate of the Vend�e hound of France. The two breeds are alike in both coat and body formation.

The Otterhound is a big dog with a hard, crisp and close coat, oily in nature that can withstand any amount of immersion in water. The breed ranges through many shades to black and tan. It is a peer among swimmers, its progress through the water being aided greatly by its webbed feet.

Otterhounds first made their appearance in the United States about the year 1900. They made their bench-show debut in 1907 in Claremont, Oklahoma, and registrations were recorded. While the Otterhound never has grown to wide popularity in the United States, what it lacks in smartness of appearance is compensated by its working qualities and unfailing devotion to its master.

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	Yes
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Large
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	Over 2 hours a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Medium
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	More than once a week
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Country
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Small House
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	Large garden

	General Appearance Large, straight limbed and sound, rough-coated with majestic head, strong body and loose, long striding action. Rough double coat and large feet essential. Free moving.
	Characteristics Big, strong hound primarily built for long day’s work in water but able to gallop on land.
	Temperament Amiable and even-tempered.
	Eyes Intelligent, moderately deep-set eye; haw showing only slightly. Eye colour and rim pigment variable according to coat colour (a blue and tan hound may have hazel eyes). Yellow eye undesirable.
	Mouth Jaws strong, large, well placed teeth with perfect, regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
	Neck Long, powerful, set smoothly into well laid back, clean shoulders. Slight dewlap permissible.
	Forequarters Well laid shoulders. Forelegs strongly boned, straight from elbow to ground. Pasterns strong and slightly sprung.
	Body Chest deep with well sprung, fairly deep, oval ribcage. Ribs carried well back allowing plenty of heart and lung room; neither too wide nor too narrow. Body very strong, with level top line and broad back. Loins short and strong.
	Hindquarters Very strong; well muscled when viewed from any angle, standing neither too wide nor too narrow behind. Hind angulation moderate; hocks well let down, turning neither in nor out. Thighs and second thighs heavily muscled. In natural stance, hindlegs from hock to ground perpendicular.
	Feet Large, round, well knuckled, thick padded, turning neither in nor out. Compact but capable of spreading; hind feet only slightly smaller than forefeet. Web must be in evidence.
	Tail (Stern) Set high, carried up when alert or moving, never curling over back and may droop when standing. Thick at base, tapering to point; bone reaching to hock and carried straight or in a slight curve. Hair under tail rather longer and more profuse than that on upper surface.
	Gait / Movement Large, straight limbed and sound, rough-coated with majestic head, strong body and loose, long striding action. Rough double coat and large feet essential. Free moving.
	Coat Long 4-8 cm (11/2-3 ins), dense, rough, harsh and waterproof but not wiry; of broken appearance. Softer hair on head and lower legs natural. Undercoat evident and there may be a slight oily texture in top and undercoat. Not trimmed for exhibition. Presentation should be natural.
	Colour All recognised hound colours permissible: Whole coloured, grizzle, sandy, red, wheaten, blue; these may have slight white markings on head, chest, feet and tail tip. White hounds may have slight lemon, blue or badger pied markings. Black and tan, blue and tan, black and cream, occasional liver, tan and liver, tan and white. Colours not permissible: Liver and white, a white-bodied hound with black and tan patches distinctly separate. Pigment should harmonize though not necessarily blend with coat colour; for example a tan hound may have a brown nose and eye rims. A slight butterfly nose permissible.
	Size Approximate height at shoulder: dogs: 69 cms (27 ins); bitches: 61 cms (24 ins).