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Otterhound Dog Breed Introduction
Otterhound is a large-sized English rare dog breed from medieval England. This breed was created to help hunters in pursuing and hunting otters. These dogs are big, shaggy dogs with famous traits to match. Otterhounds are also known as Vulnerable Native Breeds as per the Kennel Club. Their broad chest enables them to swim although minus getting tired.
Otterhounds’ have dense shaggy coat, webbed feet, and acute sense of smell, and are known for their ability to swim. Otterhounds are independent, bold, protective, intelligent, and trainable dogs that are wary of outlanders. They are also energetic and tireless greatly discouraged for novice owners who might be overwhelmed by their zest for life and work drive.
They make good watchdogs who can socialize with children if trained to bond with them from an early age. Being hunting dogs, small pets are unsafe if they associate with them. Because of their large size, Otterhounds also need supervision when around small kids to avoid accidents.
Otterhound History | Origin
Otterhounds were created in the 1700’s and 1800’s century in the North-West of England. Their creation was for hunting otters to protect fish stocks in ponds. Their strong-bodied large hound is superbly built to be in the water for hours on end. Otterhounds are prehistoric breeds and the earliest records of otter hunting with hounds’ date back to the supremacy of Henry II in the 12th century.
In those days Otterhounds were much more like a terrier than a hound and it was many centuries until the terrier sway was developed out in favor of the large hound known now. Otterhounds also have an illustrious royal history with King Edward II holding the title of First Master of Otterhounds with Queen Elizabeth I being offered the title of First Lady Master of Otterhounds. In 1978 otter hunting was forbidden and the Otterhounds found themselves out of a job.
Otterhound Lifespan
Otterhounds have a lifespan of 12 to 13 years.
Otterhound Grooming
Otterhounds puppies should be introduced to grooming from an early age long before it is needed. Introduce Otterhounds to grooming by gently brushing the coat with lots of rewards. Make sure grooming time is a time used to bond with your Otterhounds so that they may look forward to the practice. Get the Otterhounds used to touch on the ears, toes, and mouth which also come in handy while cleaning the ears, nail clipping, and teeth brushing.
When brushing Otterhounds, use a bristle brush or a hound glove to get rid of loose hair and promote new hair growth. The number of baths your Otterhounds may need range from weekly to monthly or even less depending on the lifestyle. However, regular baths every 4 to 6 weeks strip the natural oils from the coat hence softening the texture.
Also, the coat will tend to matt easily and can be prone to collecting dirt. Use a hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner to bath your Otterhounds. Thoroughly clean off the grooming products from the Otterhounds coat after a bath to avoid skin irritation.
Clip their nails every 3 to 5 weeks using a nail grinder or clipper to avoid spitting, overgrowth, and cracking. Clean their ears every week using an ear cleanser solution and cotton balls to get rid of dirt and excess wax. Brush Otterhounds teeth at least twice a week if not daily to get rid of tartar buildup using a tasty canine toothpaste and toothbrush.
Otterhound Shedding
Otterhounds have a low shedding coat. However, their undercoat is shed more during the spring and fall seasons.
Coat | Coat Type
Otterhounds have a double coat. Their undercoat is soft and their outer coat is longer, oilier, and harsher.
Otterhound Hypoallergenic
Although Otterhounds have a low shedding coat, they are not considered hypoallergenic. Besides fur, dogs produce dander which has a protein allergen that triggers an allergic reaction.
Otterhound Training
Bred for otter hunting, the Otterhounds are independent thinkers and at times stubborn. This personality makes training a bit challenging. Patience, consistency, and the use of positive reinforcement will make Otterhounds training manageable. Using longlines and harnesses is vital, as like most scent hounds, Otterhounds go deaf when going after a trail. Start training your Otterhounds from an early age like at the age of eight weeks when they join you home from the breeder to 16 weeks to establish good behavior and avoid any bad habits from forming.
Because of their size and a coat that picks up water and mud, train them to stand to be dried off and brushed through, and to lie down quietly wherever they are told to. They also like to train their excellent sense of smell and treats can be concealed on the move or in the home. Otterhounds also love to search for them with their fine nose. A cozy basket or cushion is needed because it is where they like to recharge their batteries for the next trip into the countryside or for dog sports.
Keep the training sessions short, upbeat, and interesting to prevent boredom and distraction. Each dog training session should be for 5 minutes distributed throughout the day to avoid boredom. Teach them basic command words such as eat, heel, come, in, out, etc. from when they join you home at the age of 8 weeks. Socialization of the Otterhounds comes in handy in raising a well-mannered fur friend.
To socialize Otterhounds one should expose them to a wide range of people, animals, places, surfaces, smells, sights, and also sounds such as lawnmowers, doorbells, and vacuum cleaners. Using harsh correction methods such as yelling, punching, beating, and kicking makes training counterproductive.
Otterhound Temperament | Personality
– Friendly.
– Affectionate.
– Playful.
– Amiable.
– Outgoing.
– Convivial.
– Courageous.
– Stubborn.
– Lively.
– Alert.
Otterhound Exercise | Exercise Requirements
Otterhounds are energetic dogs with a working drive and a zest for life which makes them great companions for joggers, and hikers. The Otterhounds require a large fence in the yard where they can run freely. Swimming also keeps Otterhounds stimulated best compared to a couple of hours running beside a bike or jogging partner.
Before exercising Otterhounds, make sure that they rest for an hour before and an hour or so after eating to allow digestion time and lower the possibility of digestive upsets.
Barking
Naturally, they are overly vocal dogs. These dogs have a a loud baying hound voice which can cause issues with neighbors. Their vocals also range from deep bay to a melodious howl. Otterhounds will take a cue from the owner to stop barking and settle down.
Height
Mature Otterhounds have a height of 24 to 27 inches ( approx. 61 to 69 cm ).
Apart from Otterhounds, other dog breeds include:
Weight
Otterhounds have a weight of 80 to 115 pounds ( approx. 36 to 52 kg ).
Otterhound Size
Otterhounds have a height of 24 to 27 inches ( approx. 61 to 69 cm ) and weigh 80 to 115 pounds ( approx. 36 to 52 kg ).
Miniature Otterhound Puppy
Otterhounds are the rarest dog breeds in the globe. There are no miniature puppies for Otterhounds.
Otter Dogs | Otter Hound Dogs | Otterhounds
Otterhounds are large-sized dogs that were bred in medieval England for the current outlawed work of otter hunting. These scarce dogs are recognized for their dense shaggy coats, webbed feet, acute sense of smell, as well as swimming ability.
Otter Hound Puppy | Otterhound Puppy
An Otterhound puppy begins training from eight weeks when they join you home from the breeder to 16 weeks to establish good behavior and avoid any bad habits from forming.
Otterhound Mix
Otterhounds are assumed to be crosses of Bloodhounds, Griffons, Rough haired Terriers, and perhaps the Harrier, they were used appropriately to hunt otters.
Black Otterhound
Otterhounds come in different colors like black, tan, and white. Mostly black and tan markings are gorgeous on these dog breeds.
English Otterhound
Otterhounds are English dogs bred to hunt otters on land and water. They are distinguished by their shaggy, rough coat, and webbed feet.
Otterhound Puppies | Otterhound Puppy
Otterhound is a rare breed meaning an inspiring parent may stay in the breeder’s waiting list for sometime before getting an Otterhound puppy. A female Otterhound may give birth to a litter size of 4 to 7 puppies.
Otterhound Puppies Price | Otterhound Puppy Price
The average price to get an Otterhound puppy ranges between $1300 to $2500.
Otterhound Webbed Feet | Feet
Otterhounds have large webbed feet that enable them to swim.
Otterhound Terrier Mix
They are assumed to be cross Rough haired Terriers used appropriately to hunt otters. These Terriers were originally used for hunting small animals, with their rough and ready coats shielding them from sharp plants in the dense vegetation.
Otterhounds Tail
Otterhounds have a high and moderately long tail. Their long, strong tail is carried high when they are working and droop lower when relaxed.
Otterhound Purpose
Their purpose is to hunt otters on land and water.
Health Issues
Otterhounds are healthy dogs but may suffer from certain health issues such as epilepsy and hip dysplasia. Obesity also may be a serious health issue in Otterhounds.
Ear Problems
Otterhounds have long and floppy ears which are prone to ear infections. Signs that indicate Otterhounds may have ear infections are itchiness, dark discharge, or odor from the ear. It is good also to keep their ears rid of moisture, dirt, burrs, foxtails, etc.
Names
Otterhound owners may decide to get a name for the pet before it joins them home or days after the dog has settled to understand better the traits of a specific dog. Owners can also get the name from the English heritage of the breed, the coat color, celebrities, songs, and historical people.
Despite where you get the name one should ensure it won’t be a source of embarrassment when uttered out loud. Otterhounds and other breeds better understand names that have vowels. Stop giving them a name that rhymes with the command words to avoid confusion. Some of the names that Otterhounds owners give to their pets include:
– Princess.
– Duchess.
– Cassie.
– Flora.
– Sammy.
– Missy.
– Penny.
– Toby.
– Sparky.
– Spike.
Otterhound Feeding | Food
Otterhounds should feed on food formulated for large-sized animals that are appropriate for their age. The amount of food Otterhounds are fed depends on their metabolism, activity level, and size. Mature Otterhounds should eat twice a day while Otterhounds puppies should eat thrice a day. Otterhounds may be fed on homemade food, raw diet, or commercial dry or wet food.
Don’t feed them chicken, pork, beef, or fish bones. These foods can lodge in their throat and puncture their stomach and intestines. Table scraps are also discouraged. Bred as a prey dog for hunting otters, they are also prone to gastric torsion, the swelling of the stock. Therefore, Otterhounds should not be fed large meals a day and should not drink large volumes of water after eating. They may also be susceptible to overfeeding hence checking weight level is essential.
Otterhound Colors
Otterhounds may have a uniform color of sandy, whole colored, grizzle, red, wheaten, and blue. These breeds can also have white markings permissible in all of them and lemon, blue, or badger pied markings.
Otterhound Price | Cost
The price of Otterhounds is $1300 to $2500 depending on the age of the dog and the location of the breeder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Otterhound Hypoallergenic
No, Otterhounds are not hypoallergenic dogs. They shed periodically and are not a good choice for people who are allergic to dogs.
Do Otterhound Shed
Yes, these dogs shed moderately to more hair depending on the season.
How Much Does An Otterhound Cost
Otterhounds cost ranges between $1300 to $2500 depending on the age of the dog and the location of the breeder.
Why Is The Otterhound Rare
This is because since the breed emerged, they have never been in large numbers even when they were in their prime as hunting dogs in the 20th century.
Is Otterhound A Good Family Dog
Yes, they are good-natured dogs that make great family companions.
What Is The Purpose Of An Otterhound
Otterhounds are purposely bred for otter hunting.
Can Otterhounds Be Left Alone
If Otterhounds are left alone for long hours minus enough exercise they can find ways to entertain themselves which will be destructive i.e. chewing, barking, and scratching the walls..
Otterhound Quick Facts
- They submerge their whole nose underwater at times.
- Otterhounds’ rough, water-resistant coat enables moderate their temperature.
- They have water-resistant coat.
