Otterhound

The Otterhound is a large, shaggy British scent hound bred to hunt otter in and out of the water — a rare breed with a booming voice and a rough, oily coat.

History

It was developed in Britain to trail and hunt otter along rivers, its dense water-resistant coat and webbed feet suited to long days in cold water. When otter hunting ended the breed's numbers collapsed, and it is now one of the rarest.

Temperament

The breed is known for being boisterous, friendly and independent — an amiable, even clownish dog at home, with the single-mindedness of a scent hound once it is on a trail. It has a deep, carrying bay.

Care and training

It needs plenty of exercise and enjoys swimming, and its independent nature rewards patient, food-led training. The rough double coat needs regular grooming to stay free of mats.

Health

Known tendencies include hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, a hereditary bleeding disorder and epilepsy in some lines, and as a large hound it lives a shorter life on average. These are patterns for the breed rather than a verdict on one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.