Otterhound

Originally bred to hunt otters in order to protect fish stocks in ponds, this strong bodied large hound is ideally built to work in water for hours on end. This is an ancient breed and the earliest records of otter hunting with hounds’ date back to the reign of Henry II in the 12th century. In those days the breed was much more like a terrier than a hound and it was several centuries until the terrier influence was bred out in favour of the large hound we know today.

The breed has an illustrious royal history with King Edward II holding the title of First Master of Otterhounds with Queen Elizabeth I being given the title of first Lady Master of Otterhounds. They were extremely successful at their job and in the early 20th century, the 30 Otterhound packs working the rivers of England had reduced the otter population to near extinction. As a result, otter hunting was banned in 1978 - and the Otterhound found themselves out of a job.

Do you like water, see also; mud, drool, bits of countryside, bits of things you can’t quite identify, and do you mind cleaning up such things from yourself, your car, your home and your dog? If so, you may be an ideal Otterhound owner. These comical and large hounds need very patient owners who can accept that 100% obedience is unlikely, and manage life safely around that fact. This is a rural dog for rural homes, with large secure gardens and robust, older children – not for the faint of heart, frail or easily squashable!

When young, the Otterhound’s exercise should be carefully limited so that they do not over-exert themselves or damage growing joints. All Otterhounds adore water, and will follow a scent to the ends of the earth.

Otterhounds enjoy exercise, but it is the variety of scent and scenery that is more important to them than the speed or distance covered. A mixture of walking, paddling, swimming and sniffing will meet their needs better than a couple of hours running alongside a bike or jogging partner. Allow two hours per day exercise for the adult Otterhound.

This is a big dog, and while there are taller dogs and heavier dogs, the Otterhound combines significant height, length and weight with a rough, debris collecting coat, water and drool dropping flews, and ears that dangle into food and water bowls. You will need a spacious home, with room to let a wet hound dry off, space to groom them and a secure garden with at least 6ft fencing that cannot be jumped over, squeezed through or dug under. Access to countryside walks and suitable paddling and swimming locations would be ideal. Not suited to city living.

Large breed dogs, as well as having large appetites, benefit from a different balance of nutrients including minerals and vitamins compared to smaller-breed dogs. The Otterhound can be prone to bloating and stomach problems; smaller, more frequent meals can help minimise this risk.

The Otterhound’s rough, shaggy coat is around 4-8cm long and feels oily to the touch. They should be waterproof; however, this simply means they do not get wet to the skin and cold when working in water. They will retain a lot of moisture when wet and happily bring it inside your home.

They should not be bathed often as this removes the oil from the coat, but will need brushing through several times a week.

Pay particular attention to the flews (lips, corners of the mouth) as food and drool can gather here causing sores and unpleasant smells. Ears should be kept clean both inside and out, and check between the pads daily as their large hairy feet can develop mats and pick-up thorns or other foreign bodies easily.

Early and consistent training on recall and in the use of a longline and harness are vital, as like most scent hounds, the Otterhound goes deaf when following a trail. Due to their size and a coat that picks up water and mud, it’s sensible to train your Otterhound to stand to be dried off and brushed through, and to lie down quietly wherever they are asked.

Although not a dog who enjoys training for trainings sake, Otterhounds are ideal for those interested in tracking, man-trailing and other scent related sports and competition.

Otterhounds can make a fun and active pet for the right family, however they are large and boisterous which may cause problems with smaller children or older family members. Their preferred exercise involves being outside in the water or in horrid weather so take this into consideration, not all family members may enjoy such walks!

While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.