• Otterhounds in Great Britain
  • Otterhounds in the UK
  • Otterhound in Great Britain
  • Otterhound
  • Otterhound Breed
  • Otterhound Dog
  • Otterhound in the UK
  • Otterhound Dogs
  • Otterhound Dog Breed
  • Otterhounds
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Grooming:
Exercise Level:
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Barking Level:
Good with Children:
Good with other pets:
Affectionate:
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Height: 60 - 65cm M | 60 - 65cm F
Weight: 30 - 52kg M | 30 - 52kg F
Life Expectancy: 10 - 12 Years

Thinking of buying or adopting an Otterhound?


Introduction

The Otterhound is a unique scenthound because of its shaggy double coat and webbed feet. It is a large dog that weighs 80 to 115 pounds and stands 61 to 69 centimetres at the withers. The breed was developed in England to hunt otters, hence the name. Otterhounds are boisterous but even-tempered, which are also excellent swimmers.

Are you ready to take home an Otterhound? Read on to know more about this big, laid back hound dog.


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History

The Otterhound was developed in medieval England in 1175 with the purpose of hunting river otters, which are a threat to fishers. These Otterhounds hunted in packs and were first called "otter dogge." However, the modern Otterhound was not developed until the 18th century.

It is believed the modern Otterhound evolved by crossing three hounds such as the now extinct Southern Hound, the Basset Griffon Vendeen and the old St. Hubert Hound. Others thought that Otterhounds descended from the Bloodhound and the Griffon Nivernais cross in 1958.

Otter hunting was a favourite sport for many years. Bad King John enjoyed hunting with a pack of Otterhounds, and Queen Elizabeth I was named the first "Lady Master of Otterhounds." However, Otterhounds declined when Otter hunting was banned in England in 1978 and Scotland in 1980 due to water pollution. In the years that followed, Otterhounds were repurposed to mink hunting and drag hunts.

Today, the Otterhound has not recovered its popularity and is in fact limited in numbers that it has been placed on The Kennel Club's vulnerable native breed list. However, this does not signify that this breed is not an excellent choice for those who live an active and outdoor lifestyle.


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Appearance and Grooming

The Otterhound is a shaggy dog, wearing a rough double coat, beard and bushy eyebrows. The coat is comprised of a weather resistant topcoat and a woolly and oily undercoat designed to protect Otterhounds from cold water. Its coat can come in a variety of colours such as grizzle, sandy, red, white, wheaten, black & tan, blue & tan, black & cream, liver, tan & liver, and tan & white.

When it comes to its form, the Otterhound sports an imposing, dome-shaped and clean-cut head resembling that of the Bloodhound’s. It also has a square muzzle, a powerful jaw and deep flews. Nose and nostrils are both wide, while eyes are deep set and range in colour from hazel to black, complimenting the colour of its coat. Otterhounds have ears that are set low, reaching the tip of their nose. One of its unique features is the webbed feet that help the the breed in swimming.

Since the Otterhound has a shaggy coat, it is apparently high-maintenance in the grooming department. It is also an average shedder all throughout the year. Brush its coat once or twice a week to avoid tangles and mats. Some Otterhounds will require stripping at least twice a year to maintain its rough and crisp texture. Most owners hire professional groomers to assist them. On top of caring for the coat, additional dog grooming includes brushing the teeth, trimming the nails and cleaning the ears.


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Temperament and Intelligence

The Otterhound is a large and active dog breed that loves to run and swim but has a bit of a stubborn streak. Regardless, Otterhounds are happy, sociable and easy-going dogs that like nothing more than to be in a loving home environment, being a part of the family household. However, they also loves to bark, which may prove to be challenging especially for your neighbours. Good thing though is that Otterhounds are great watchdogs but not guard dogs.

Like most hound dogs, the Otterhounds’ independent and stubborn nature makes it difficult to housetrain, as such is not ideal for new dog owners. They will require a steady handler who is also patient. With this said, crate training is often necessary for this breed.

Otterhounds get on well with other dogs since they were bred to work in packs. However, they should never be trusted with small household pets, regardless if raised alongside them. Their prey drive is high, and anytime their instinct to chase will kick in. When it comes to kids, Otterhounds have are friendly and calm. However, their sheer size alone is enough to make sure that any interaction should be supervised.


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Nutrition and Feeding

A typical serving for an adult Otterhound is 3 to 4.5 cups of high-quality dog food per day. Food serving must be split into two equal meals. However, don't rely solely on online resources since there are several factors to determine the right amount to feed a dog. It is best to ask for vet advice for properly balanced nutrition.

Here is an example of a typical daily calorie requirement of an adult 100-pound Otterhound:

  • Senior and less active: up to 1,961 calories daily
  • Typical adults: up to 2,206 calories daily
  • Physically active/working dogs: up to 2,451 calories daily

To ensure that your Otterhound gets the nutrition it deserves, select a high-quality commercial dog food formulated for large, active dogs. On top of the ingredient list must be animal protein, which is essential for muscle growth. Examples of protein sources include lamb, chicken or beef.


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Health and Exercise

When given proper care, the Otterhound can live up to 12 years but its lifespan may be shortened because of some hereditary and acquired health disorders. Thus, it pays to know the signs and symptoms of the following: Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Bloat, Epilepsy, Multifocal Retinal Dysplasia, Sebaceous Cysts, Panosteitis, Glanzmann Thrombasthenia, and potentially fatal bleeding disorder.

Otterhounds require plenty of vigorous activities to be healthy and happy. Swimming is their favourite and will love nothing than to frolic in pools, rivers, lakes and streams. On land, they like to run and will make excellent jogging or biking companion. Give this dog breed at least one hour of daily exercise but make sure they are within a securely fenced area.


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Cost of Ownership

If you are interested in caring for an Otterhound, you would need to go on a waiting list as this breed is rare in the UK. The price for a well-bred pedigree puppy is at least £700. To ensure it stays healthy at whatever age, you will need to feed your dog high quality dog food and treats, which can set you back £30-£40 a month. You would also need to spend on dog accessories such as leads, collars, eating bowls, crates, beds, and toys. The combined initial cost for these things is estimated at £200.

Moreover, you need to consider paying for pet insurance to offset veterinary bills in case your dog suddenly falls ill or gets into an accident. Depending on where you live and your dog’s health and age, a time-limited cover can cost £28 a month while a lifetime one can cost up to £67 a month. Generally, insurance companies do not cover routine veterinary consultations, initial vaccinations, boosters, and neutering or spaying, so you may also have to spend an additional £1000 annually for these services.

On average, the minimum cost to care for an Otterhound is £60-£110 per month depending on your pet insurance premium. This estimate does not include the rates for other services such as walking and grooming.


Otterhound Breed Highlights

  • The Otterhound is a large and active dog breed that loves to run and swim.
  • It is happy, sociable, and easy-going, which also loves to be in a home environment.
  • Its independent and stubborn nature makes it difficult to housetrain.
  • Otterhounds are great watchdogs but terrible guard dogs.
  • They are high-maintenance in the grooming department.
Otterhound

Are you sure the Otterhound is the best breed for you? Take the Pet Breed Selector Quiz to find your perfect breed match.

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Disclaimer:
The information, including measurements, prices and other estimates, on this page is provided for general reference purposes only.