Otterhound | Facts & Information

Temperament: social, intelligent, cheerful, friendly, balanced

Origin

It is an ancient breed related to the Bloodhound. He was bred to hunt otters. Today, when hunting is banned, it is used less often to hunt other animals and more as a pet. The otter Hound has been native to Britain for several centuries.

Although controversial, many believe the breed may have originated from crossing bloodhounds with Griffons, Harriers and terriers. As its name suggests, the breed was developed to hunt otters because at the time the otter population in England was excessive and had competed with fishermen for trout.

The first time the otter Hound was mentioned in literature was in the early fourteenth century during the reign of King Edward II. A few kings were enthusiastic about the otter Hound. By the 1900s, the otter population had dwindled and so had the otter hounds.

In the mid-1970s, the breed was on the verge of extinction and only thanks to the efforts of dedicated breeders, the breed returned little by little. The otter Hound is considered a rare breed, with specimens found predominantly in England and the United States.

In 1910, the otter Hound was recognized by the American Kennel Club as a member of the hunting dog group.

Otterhound Food

Otterhound is a dog prone to obesity so its diet should be carefully monitored. The food of an Otterhound, like that of other dogs, is reflected in its health and longevity.

Critics say commercial food in stores is filled with chemicals, water and other stuff. A healthy food not only gives your dog a longer life, but also saves him from stomach diseases.

Some Otterhound owners feed their dog both home-cooked food and food to buy, and this is not a bad thing if overall the food contains the necessary nutritious foods that the dog needs.

If you do not know how much to give of each food or how much food in general it is good to consult in the veterinarian. He and you will reach a portion of food rich in food depending on the dog's activity, age and size.

In the category that is not allowed an Otterhound enter sweets, and it is good to teach children not to give chocolate and similar products to dogs because it harms them, cooked chicken bones in particular and bones in general if the animal is not used to them.

A dog will eat with appetite the bones from a barbecue, but if he is accustomed to grains and the bones are chicken it is not recommended to give it even if he insists. Unlike cats, dogs break food just enough to swallow it and chicken bones break into splinters. Once in the stomach they sting its walls causing pain and discomfort to the dog.

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Otterhound Appearance

It is a large, strong, muscular dog with a body longer than tall. The head is large, narrow with snout equal in length to the skull, nose large and black.

The eyes are small, deep in orbit and dark in color. The ears are large, long, drooping and with a long hair on them. The tail is long and quite bushy.

It has strong legs, large paws with InterDigital membrane. The coat is double, with a short, soft, oily first coat and an outer coat with a rather long (about 15 cm) coarse hair, with long hair on the face, forming whiskers and beards.

The hair is slightly wavy forming a waterproof mantle, characteristic of this dog. Colors can be diverse, characteristic of hunting dogs (gray, blue, straw-yellow, brown, black, tan) and combinations of these colors.

Adult otter hound can reach a body weight around 30-52 kg and a height at the Withers of about 60-65 cm.

Otterhound Behavior

It is a dog with a highly developed olfactory smell, loud, intelligent, cheerful, friendly, balanced.

He gets along well with everyone: master, strangers, children. Accept other dogs or other animals.

Otterhound Training

It is a dog that trains a little harder, but with a balanced, firm, consistent training but without being harsh or severe with them can achieve satisfactory results.

Training and educating a hound for otters requires patience, firmness and consistency.

Some otter hounds can be disobedient and stubborn.

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Otterhound Features

It is a weather resistant dog who likes to live outdoors, in a fenced space where he can move freely, but can also accommodate in an apartment if he is provided with the daily movement he needs to stay quiet afterwards.

He needs socializing, training.

The coat of this dog should be brushed or combed occasionally so as not to spoil its natural appearance.

It is a good hunting dog and a pleasant companion.

Otterhound Diseases

The otter Hound is a robust and hardy breed with few medical sensitivities. Among them with an increased frequency were reported the following:

hip dysplasia is a malformation of the coxofemoral joint that results in consecutive pain, lameness and arthritis.

- epilepsy is a disorder of the nervous system that manifests itself with predilection around the age of 2-5 years.

gastric torsion (dilation) is a sudden life-threatening condition associated with filling the stomach with air and torsion.

Glanzmann's thrombasthenic disease is an inherited platelet disorder that can be fatal.

Otter Hound is also prone to obesity, hemophilia and elbow dysplasia. The average life expectancy of hounds for otters is 10-12 years.