Otterhound

also known as Otter Dog

Pros History


The Otterhound is a large and rugged breed that has a rich history and a unique set of characteristics. They are known for their shaggy, thick coat and their keen sense of smell, which makes them an excellent hunter of otters and other aquatic game.

The Otterhound is thought to have originated in the 12th century in England, where they were developed by British nobles as an otter hunting dog. They were bred by crossing several different breeds, including the Bloodhound, the Terrier, the English Water Spaniel, and the French Griffon, to create a dog with the strength, stamina, and keen sense of smell needed to hunt otters.

The breed's name, Otterhound, is a reference to its original purpose as an otter hunting dog. The "Otter" part of the name refers to the breed's ability to hunt otters, while the "Hound" part of the name is a reference to the breed's origins as a hunting dog.

Historically, the Otterhound was a very popular breed among British nobles, who used them for otter hunting. However, in 1978, the British government banned otter hunting, which led to a decline in the population of Otterhounds.

The Otterhound was officially recognized as a separate breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1909 and the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1911. The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) recognized the breed in 1913.

The Otterhound Club of America was formed in 1960, to preserve and protect the breed, and to promote its versatility as a companion, obedience and agility dog. They are considered a rare breed with a limited population, it is listed as a "vulnerable native breed" by the Kennel Club of Great Britain.

Breed Information


Type

Is Otterhound a purebred?

Purebred

Purpose

What were Otterhounds originally used for?

hunting otters, scenting

Lifespan

How Long Do Otterhounds Live? What is average life expectancy for an Otterhound? How long can Otterhounds live?

10-12 years

The average Otterhound lifespan is somewhere between 10-12 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Otterhound Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Otterhound?

What is the average height of an Otterhound? How big is an Purebred Otterhound height? Otterhound dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 24-27 inches (61 - 68.6 cm) 10.5 inches (26.7 cm) 15.5 inches (39.4 cm) 22.5 inches (57.2 cm)
Female 24-26 inches (61 - 66 cm) 10.0 inches (25.4 cm) 14.5 inches (36.8 cm) 21.0 inches (53.3 cm)
What is the average weight of an Otterhound? How much should Otterhounds weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 90-110 pounds (41 - 50 kg) 40.0 pounds (18 kg) 65.0 pounds (29 kg) 92.5 pounds (42 kg)
Female 70-90 pounds (32 - 41 kg) 35.0 pounds (16 kg) 55.0 pounds (25 kg) 72.5 pounds (33 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Otterhounds get fat easily?

The Otterhound is a breed that has an average risk of becoming obese. Daily walks and a balanced diet of quality dry dog food can help maintain a healthy weight. An active lifestyle and monitoring weight regularly is recommended.

Hypoallergenic

Are Otterhounds Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the Otterhound is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is an Otterhound personality? What are Otterhound dogs best known for?

Amiable
Outright
Tempered
Boisterous

Shedding Level

Are Otterhounds heavy shedders? How Much Does an Otterhound Shed?

Otterhound dogs are heavy shedders, they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Otterhound. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of an Otterhound dog?

Otterhounds are not the best watchdogs. If you want a guard dog, the Otterhound is not the breed for you. They will 'watch' everything - but that's usually as far as they go.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Otterhounds come from?

England

Ancestry

What are Otterhounds descended from?

griffon nivernais

Breed recognition

What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the Otterhound breed?

American Kennel Club
Australian National Kennel Council
Canadian Kennel Club
Continental Kennel Club
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club

Date of Birth

When were Otterhounds first bred? How old is the Otterhound breed?

1300s

Breed Group

What Breed Group is an Otterhound?

Hound (AKC:1909)
Scenthound (UKC)

Otterhound Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Otterhound eyes?

Hazel
Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Otterhound nose be naturally?

Black
Brown

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Otterhound coat be naturally?

Cream
Brown
Black
White
Fawn
Blue
Gray

Coat Length

How long is an Otterhounds coat?

The coat of an Otterhound falls in the medium length category.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Otterhound Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of an Otterhound?

Wiry

Litter Size

How many puppies can an Otterhound have in a litter? How many puppies can an Otterhound have in her first litter?

10-12 puppies per pregnancy

An Otterhound can have a litter of 10-12 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Otterhound dogs generally adapt well to changes in lifestyle and different living environments, but it is considered as an average level of adaptability compared to other breeds.

Otterhound Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Otterhounds have a lot of health problems?

The Otterhound is a breed of dog that is known to have a higher frequency of health issues compared to other breeds. These issues can range from minor to serious, and regular check-ups with a veterinarian are essential in order to identify and address any potential problems as early as possible.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning an Otterhound?

Hip Dysplasia
Congenital Heart Defect

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Otterhounds?

Elbow Dysplasia
Thrombopathia

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Otterhound breed?

Hip
Elbow
Blood
Blood Test
X-Rays
Physical Examination

Otterhound Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Otterhounds have a lot of energy?

Otterhounds are high-energy dogs, thus an active lifestyle suits them well.

Social Needs

Do Otterhounds need socialization? How social are Otterhounds?

Otterhounds have average social needs compared to other breeds. They are known to be less active and independent than other breeds, and they are content with spending time alone and with their human family.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Otterhounds get?

The Otterhound needs a high level of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They also make great companions for people who lead an active lifestyle and enjoy running, hiking or other outdoor activities. These breeds are not suitable for people with sedentary lifestyle or those who live in small apartments

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should an Otterhound have? Do Otterhounds sleep a lot?

Otterhounds are active dogs that don't require as much sleep as other breeds. However, they still need enough sleep to stay healthy.

Drooling Tendency

Does an Otterhound drool a lot?

The Otterhound is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Otterhounds tend to bark moderately, they bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or to communicate something. They may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

Territorial

Do Otterhounds exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

Otterhound dogs are not known for their protective nature and may not be the best choice as guard dogs. They do not have a strong drive to defend their territory and may not be inclined to provide protection.

Mouthiness

Are Otterhounds mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of an Otterhound running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Otterhound dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Otterhounds enjoy doing? How do I keep my Otterhound busy?

Fishing, Go to Beach, Swim

Activity Level

What is the energy level of an Otterhound? How much energy does an Otterhound have?

Medium

Otterhounds are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should an Otterhound walk each week? How many miles should an Otterhound walk every week?

7 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Otterhound, it's at least 7 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much an Otterhound should exercise a day? How much activity does an Otterhound need?

45 minutes

In general most Otterhounds usually need at least 45 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for an Otterhound?

The Otterhound is a breed of dog that requires a significant amount of grooming. They will also require regular trims, and a professional groomer's help is often necessary to keep their coat in good condition. They may also need regular baths to maintain their coat and skin.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush an Otterhound?

Weekly

Otterhound should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Otterhounds?

Slicker Brush
Comb
Clipper
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does an Otterhound eat?

3 cups

For an average 90-110 pound (41 - 50 kg) Otterhound feed 3 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does an Otterhound Cost Daily?

$2.10 - $2.70 / day

The average cost of an Otterhound is somewhere $2.10 - $2.70 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does an Otterhound Cost Per Month?

$55 - $73 / month

The average per month expenses of an Otterhound is between $55 - $73. This makes an average of $660 - $876 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Otterhound Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is an Otterhound?

Otterhounds has average obedience intelligence. But, they're also independent thinkers. The Otterhound is a breed with an exceptionally high IQ and may get into mischief if left to their own devices.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is an Otterhound dog?

Otterhound dogs are a less sensitive breed known for their adaptability and resilience. They tend to be less affected by new environments, people and noises. They can make great companions for families or individuals looking for a balanced and less sensitive pet that are not as demanding as highly sensitive breeds.

Affection Dependance

Are Otterhound dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Otterhound do well in apartments? Are Otterhounds good indoor dogs?

The Otterhound is not an apartment-friendly dog breed. This dog breed is best in a home with a large, fenced-in yard. They are not suited for apartment life and can become destructive due to pent up energy from being in a small space.

Child Friendly

Are Otterhounds good with kids? Are Otterhounds good around children?

Otterhounds are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Senior-friendly

Are Otterhounds good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Otterhounds good with cats? How friendly Otterhounds are toward cats?

Otterhounds are an average cat friendly dog. They do well with cats, even more if raised together from puppyhood,

Dog Friendly

Do Otterhound dogs get along with other dogs? Are Otterhounds OK with other dogs?

Otterhounds are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Otterhound dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Otterhounds friendly with strangers?

Otterhounds are below average friendly around strangers. Keen of eye and sharp of tongue, most Otterhounds are very quick to announce strangers at the door. Once the visitor comes in, some Otterhounds will be friendly and outgoing. But many others have the standoffish or suspicious towards strangers.

Playfulness

Do Otterhounds like to play? Are Otterhounds playful?

Otterhounds are known to be highly playful dog. So if you're not up for all that, think about adopting a slightly older Otterhound for a mellower experience.

Trainability

Are Otterhound easily trained?

Otterhound dogs are known for their ease of training and ability to learn quickly, making them a popular choice for pet owners and trainers alike.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Boat Dog
    The Otterhound breed tends to like the water and being on boats.
  • Affectionate
    Otterhounds are affectionate dogs that bond well with their owners.
  • Good with children
    Otterhounds are good with children and make great family pets.

Cons

  • High energy
    Otterhounds are high energy dogs that require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. Without enough exercise, they can become bored and destructive.
  • Not Hypoallergenic
    While beloved by many, Otterhounds may not be appropriate for those with allergies due to the possibility of allergic reactions.
  • Shedding
    Otterhounds are known for shedding a significant amount of hair.
  • Not suitable for office environment
    Otterhounds are not generally considered to be office-friendly dogs.
  • Not Apartment Friendly
    Apartment living may not provide enough space for a Otterhound dog.
  • Prone to certain health issues
    Otterhounds are prone to certain health issues such as hip dysplasia and bloat.