Otterhound

The Otterhound, also known as Otter Dog, owes its name to the activity it originally pursued, the now forbidden hunting of otters. This breed originates from a group of hunting dogs that evolved from native English dogs and French influences in medieval England.

Due to the dramatic decline in otter populations, the otter was placed on the protected species list in Great Britain in 1978 and otter hunting was thus discontinued. However, otter hunting was never banned in Great Britain. The hunters voluntarily stopped the hunt because they were the ones who recognized the dramatic decline of the otter population and brought it to the attention of the authorities. This situation brought the breed to the brink of extinction. Currently, there are only about 1,000 left in the world. For this reason, Otterhound breeders are focusing their efforts on developing programs for the survival and preservation of this breed.

As mentioned earlier, the Otterhound was a dog created to hunt otters and is therefore an excellent swimmer. Its rough, waterproof coat and large webbed paws are some of the characteristics that allow this breed to survive in the water for long periods of time. It also excels as a good hunting dog due to its keen sense of smell, which enables it to follow the scent of otters over long distances, and even underwater. In general, they are large and robust dogs with a strong body and a majestic head, and weigh between 80 and 115 pounds (36 and 52 kg).

Listed below are some of the most important physical characteristics of the Otterhound:

• The head is large and covered with hair forming light whiskers and a beard.
  
  
• The fronto-nasal depression (stop) is somewhat pronounced, but not exaggerated.
  
  
• The eyes have an intelligent expression. Also, the color of the eyes and the rim of the eyelids may vary according to the color of the coat.
  
  
• The ears are very broad, hang down and are covered with fur. The tip is curled inward, giving a strange folded appearance.
  
  
• The neck is long, and it ends in a deep chest, which merges into a short and strong loin.
  
  
• The tail is often held high when the dog is alert or moving. It never curls over the back, although it may hang down when the animal is resting. It is also covered with fur, being slightly longer on the underside than on the top.
  
  
• The coat is between 4 and 8 inches (ca. 20 cm) long. It is dense, rough, hard and waterproof to withstand long periods in water.

Otterhound coat colors

A variety of coat colors can be found within this breed, often in combination:

• Black
• Black and tan
• Black and cream
• Tawny
• Gray
• Liver & Tan

In addition, individual Otterhounds may have white patches on the head, chest, feet, and tip of the tail.

The Otterhound is a friendly and balanced dog. It is characterized by its great intelligence and innate resourcefulness, qualities that make it an excellent problem solver, especially when guided by its own interests.

They are very loyal to their family, usually conquering all caregivers due to their funny and good-natured character. However, it must be taken into account that they are very expressive, vocal and impetuous dogs. Therefore, it is not a recommended breed for caregivers who are particularly sensitive to barking.

In general, it is quite a social breed that gets along well with other people, dogs and pets. They are suitable for families with children, although it is important that they are accustomed to them from an early age.

Regardless of how social a breed can be, every dog needs proper socialization at a young age. If you want to learn more about proper dog socialization, check out this other article, where we tell you everything you need to know about socializing puppies and adult dogs.

Otterhounds are medium to high activity dogs. So they need daily exercise to stay physically and mentally healthy. A walk of one to two hours per day is necessary for them to interact with other animals and explore the environment, especially with the help of their keen sense of smell. Of course, Otterhounds are great water lovers, so walks along the river or the beach are among the activities they enjoy the most. Obedience classes, tracking work and agility provide not only mental stimulation, but also good exercise.

Otterhounds are not suitable dogs for living in an apartment. They are dogs that get bored easily, so they require an outdoor space where they can distract themselves and play. However, it is important that the space where they stay is fenced or enclosed.

To avoid knots in the coat, it is recommended to brush the dog once or twice a week. The Otterhound's beard may need to be cleaned once a week, as dogs tend to drag it on the floor and stash treats in it. The nails should be trimmed every one to two weeks. Also, since it is a dog with large and long ears, it is critical to pay special attention to the hygiene and health of the ears.

The Otterhound should do well on a high quality dog food, whether it is commercially available or homemade under the supervision and approval of your veterinarian. However, in any case, it must be a balanced ration adapted to the age and activity level of the animal. The balance of the diet is especially important for puppies, as inadequate nutrition at a young age can lead to significant developmental problems. Treats can be an important aid in training, but too many treats can lead to obesity.

Many problems such as anxiety and stress can be solved with intelligence toys. Any dog can benefit from this type of play because it stimulates them mentally and is also fun. Continue reading in this other article, where we talk about intelligence games for dogs that you can play at home.

There is no doubt that Otterhounds are highly intelligent dogs. However, they are also often quite stubborn and willful, traits that can complicate their training. For this reason, they usually need experienced handlers who know how to guide their upbringing well from an early age in order to get well-balanced dogs.

Despite their large and robust appearance, they are very sensitive animals that react to scolding or reprimanding from their caretakers. For this reason, it is especially important in this breed to carry out positive training based on the reinforcement of appropriate behaviors.

When training Otterhounds, it is essential to remember that they are dogs with a strong hunting instinct. This can cause these dogs to run away at an unexpected moment to follow the prey's trail, which can lead to dangerous situations such as being lost, run over, etc. For this reason, it is important that the animal learns to respond to the call of its handler before being let go.

Dog training is a pleasure for dogs, especially when we work with positive reinforcement. But sometimes, depending on the techniques used or other factors, problems can occur. If you want to learn how to train your dog properly with positive reinforcement, read this other article, where we talk about the most common mistakes trainers make and how to avoid them.

In general, Otterhounds are healthy dogs with a life expectancy of about 10-12 years, based on their body size.
However, like any other dog breed, Otterhounds are prone to certain diseases. Some of the most common are:

• Elbow Dysplasia: Elbow dysplasia in dogs is a disease that affects the elbow joint unilaterally or bilaterally and develops while the dog is growing. With dysplasia, the bone tissue is altered and doesn't develop properly. It also tends to affect the hips.
  
  
• Hip dysplasia: hip dysplasia in dogs consists of a malformation of the coxofemoral joint. During the growing stage, the hip does not develop normally, which causes friction. This malformation prevents a smooth movement that aggravates with time. As a result of this, the dog suffers pain and even a limp, causing them to struggle with routine activities such as sitting or climbing stairs.
  
  
• Gastric dilatation/torsion: Although gastric torsion can occur in any breed, it is the largest breeds that have a greater predisposition to it. Under normal conditions, the dog's stomach empties its contents according to its own physiological mechanisms. However, when it is twisted, it cannot release its contents and begins to expand. As a result, the dog tries to vomit to expel the contents, and the stomach eventually twists on itself, completely plugging the holes that connect it to the esophagus and intestines.

As we have seen, otter dogs are a rare breed today. Most specimens are found in the United States and the United Kingdom. If you do not live in one of these countries, it might be difficult to get this breed.

However, if you are thinking of adding an Otterhound to your family, you can contact one of the clubs of this breed to guide your search. If you are considering adopting a dog, the first thing you should seriously consider is whether you have the time and willingness to do so. Adding a dog to your daily life, especially if it is a puppy, involves a significant amount of dedication and effort, which can greatly change your lifestyle.