Otterhound – Dog Breed Information

Posted on Mar 22, 2019, Modified : Sep 13, 2019 Zina

Otterhound hostory, behavior and personality

Breeds

Country of Origin	United Kingdom
Nicknames and Other Names	None
Scientific Name	Canis lupus familiaris
Breed Type	Purebred
Group	Hound Group Scenthound Group
Bred For	Hunting otters
Size	Large-sized
Recognized By	AKC, CKC, ANKC, NZKC, UKC, KC
Life Span	10-13 years
Ideal Weight	Male: 115 pounds Female: 80 pounds
Ideal Height	Male: 27 inches Female: 24 inches
Fur Type	Double coat, soft undercoat, long and harsh outer coat, slightly oily texture
Common Colors	Black, Gray, Black and Tan, Blue Cream, Wheaten, Tan, Liver and Tan
Markings	Grizzle markings, white markings, Black markings, Black and Tan markings, Liver markings
Availability	Very rarely available
Achievements	None
Suitable for Apartments	Not suitable
Used in World War	No
Most Similar To	Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Otterhound is a large-sized dog breed bred for hunting Otters. They are best known for their shaggy coat. They are double coated with a harsh and slightly long outer coat. The inner coat is wooly and soft. It has a strong body that is fit for working even all day. The head is large and well-covered hair with dark and deeply set eyes. Their neck is powerful and the chest is deep.

Otterhound is a gentle, affectionate and loyal dog breed who makes a great family pet. It is not best suited for an apartment as they are clumsy. They need a house with an open space where they can move around without any obstacle. If you are an energetic person who loves jogging, running and swimming, Otterhound is a wonderful match for you.

Origin and History

Otterhound is developed in England for the hunt of the otter. Due to Otter hunting, they got the name Otterhound. They are believed to be descended from Bloodhound and some also believe that they are related to French Griffons.

In Medieval Times, when Otter started to prey on fish and started to destroy the human food, Otterhound was kept to hunt Otter and protect this valuable food source. It is so good at hunting Otter that they almost made Otter extinct, so hunting Otter was outlawed after that.

Is Otterhound Child-Friendly?

Otterhound is friendly with children and makes a good companion for them. However, due to their large size, letting them play with toddlers and small children can be risky. They do great with older children but children should be taught to behave around them as they might play rough and it can bite them.

Otterhound sitting on the side of a baby.
Image Source: Instagram- @lizzieblopez

Temperament, Behavior, and Personality

Temperament: Otterhound is an even-tempered dog who is friendly, sweet and loving. It is an excellent hunting dog who slowly move forward towards its prey and jump right at it. It is gentle and gets along with other pets pretty well.

Small pets like cat, rabbit, and guinea pig should not be kept with Otterhound as it has a high instinct to hunt and might chase small pets around.

Behavior: Otterhound loves its family company and if it is left alone for a longer period of time, it might have separation anxiety. It will show its destructive behavior like chewing stuff and barking. Otterhound has a high barking tendency. Due to its barking habit, it may disturb the neighbor.

Personality: Otterhound has an independent personality. They do not like to be told what to do and what not to do. They love their family and if properly trained, they will obey. It needs a big space for exercise so that it remains fit and healthy.

Trainability

Otterhound is an independent dog who can sometimes be quite stubborn. Due to its independent and stubborn nature, they can be hard to train. Establish firm leadership upon them. The leader should be a confident and consistent trainer. Positive methods of training by rewarding them with treats and praising them will do a trick. Do not be harsh on them while training. Be gentle and patient with them.

Facts

Otterhound made its first appearance in America in 1903.
Otterhound is considered one of the rarest dog breeds in the world.
The American Kennel Club accepted Otterhound as a member of Hound Group in 1909.
Otterhound can give birth to 4-6 puppies on average at a time.

Health Issues

General Health	Healthy
Common Health Issues	Epilepsy Glanzmann’s Thrombasthenia Bloat Joint Problems
Hypoallergenic	No
Vaccination Required	Leptospirosis, Canine Distemper, Canine Parainfluenza, Kennel Cough, Canine Coronavirus Rabies, Canine Parvovirus
Shedding	Sheds above average
Drooling	Low Drooler
Grooming	Advance Grooming Required
Weight Gain Potential	Average
Separation Anxiety	Moderate Chance
Allergies	None
Diets and Supplements	Protein: 27% Fat: 12% Glucosamine Lysine Antioxidant

Otterhound can live from 10-13 years on average. The common health problems that can be seen in Otterhound are as follows:

Hip Dysplasia: Hip Dysplasia is a condition where there is a dislocation of hip joints due to undeveloped bones. It causes severe pain on the back which makes it hard for the dog to move from one place to another.
Bloat: Bloat is the condition where the abdomen of the dog swells up causing some pain on the stomach. It is caused mainly due to improper eating habits and improper nutrition.

Colors

Otterhound comes in following colors and markings:

Black
Tan & Black
Black & Cream
Gray
Liver & Tan
Tan
Wheaten
Blue
Lemon
White
White, black & tan
Markings: Badger, black, grizzly, liver, white, lemon, tan, white and tan.

Puppies

Image Source: Instagram- @
Image SOurce: omlet.nl

Cost: The average cost of the Otterhound is $800-$1200 USD on average. However, price varies from the quality of breeders.

Height and Size: The average height of the male Otterhound is 27 inches and the female is 24 inches. the average weight of the male is 115 pounds and the female weighs 80 pounds.