The Otterhound
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The heyday of the Otterhound in England extended from the middle to the end of the 19th century. During most of those years, there were eighteen to twenty packs that hunted on a regular basis through the season. The most famous record of killing otters was by the Hawkstone pack of the Hon. Geoffrey Hill. From 1870 to 1890, this pack of dogs disposed of 704 otters.
The French origin of the Otterhound appears to be one of the most reasonable. They are almost the exact duplicate of the old Vendee hound of France. The two breeds are alike in both coat and body formation.
The Otterhound ranges from 24 to 27 inches tall and weighs between 75-115 pounds. They have a hard, crisp close coat that has an oily nature that can stand any amount of immersion in water. The colors most desired are blue and white, though they go through many shades to black and tan colors.
Otterhounds first came to the United States in 1900. While they have never grown to great popularity here, they have retained many steadfast friends. What they lack in appearance is compensated by its working qualities and its devotion to its owner.
The Otterhound is a bold and exuberant dog. Friendly, cheerful, loving and devoted, he makes a good companion. This breed is quite good with children, but may be clumsy with small children and therefore is not recommended for infants. They are a friend to all other dogs, family pets, children and people in general, however it will chase non-canine animals (it can get along with cats in the family). They are affectionate, intelligent, and independent with a mind of their own. Because the Otterhound was never traditionally kept as a pet, it is not among the most responsive of breeds. Training the Otterhound takes patience, because it tends to be quite willful. The best results are achieved with a soft but consistent hand. Use the classic "Iron fist in a velvet glove" approach when training this dog. The Otterhound is a low-key dog that can function as a quiet companion. They like to roam and sniff and have a tendency to snore. Otterhound have a harmonious, boisterous and powerful voice that carries for long distances. It likes to bay; though he doesn't bark excessively.
Both parents should have OFA certificates (hips). Also ask about bloat and vWD in the lines. Some lines are prone to hip dysplasia, thrombocytopenia, hemophilia and bloat. Do not overfeed for it will gain weight easily. Another concern is elbow dysplasia.
Young Otterhounds (up to about three years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people. If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Otterhound puppies. The temptation to play roughly is too strong in many young Otterhounds. To keep your Otterhound in, fences should be high, with wire sunk into the ground along the fence line to thwart digging.
Otterhounds should never be left outside in your yard, unsupervised. Their deep voice is extremely LOUD and carries a long way. Their baying will have your neighbors calling the cops to report the nuisance -- or quietly letting your Otterhound out of his yard so he'll wander away.
Without frequent brushing and combing, Otterhounds become a matted mess. If you can't commit to the brushing, you have to commit to frequent trimming to keep the coat short, neat, and healthy. Otterhounds definitely shed, though some of the shed hair gets caught in the long tousled coat rather than ending up on your floor. Thus, frequent brushing is essential not only for keeping the coat mat-free, but for removing shed hair.
Like many shaggy coated breeds, the Otterhound can be a messy dog. Leaves, twigs, and mulch will cling to their coat and be tracked into your house. When they drink, they may drip water from their beards through your house- many Otterhound owners prefer to use a water bottle rather than a water bowl to help eliminate this problem.
