The Otterhound is a rare dog breed. According to the UK Otterhound Club, there are less than 800 worldwide. But in the 12th century, when the breed was developed, the need for Otterhounds was great. These dogs were used for hunting river otters, hence the name. At that time, otters were considered vermin. However, as with many other animals, people hunted the otters so much that they became endangered. To protect them, the UK banned otter hunting in 1978 and the need for Otterhounds diminished until finally, people forgot about the breed. Now, just a handful of breeders, primarily located in the UK, help keep the breed alive.

1. Size

The Otterhound is a large dog. Males are bigger than females, both in height and weight.

• Male height: around 27 inches (68 cm)
• Male weight: around 115 pounds (52 kg)
• Female height: around 24 inches (60 cm)
• Female weight: around 80 pounds (36 kg)

The general appearance of the Otterhound is of a strong, large dog. Otterhound has a loose, very long-striding, and active trot. This dog is a great swimmer, and the webbed feet further help the dog while in the water. While great swimmers, Otterhounds are also quite fast on the ground too.

2. Color

The Otterhound can have various coat colors. The breed standard coat colors are:

• Black
• Gray
• Wheaten
• Tan
• Black and tan
• Blue and cream
• Liver and tan

Other coat colors, also possible to register, are:

• Blue
• Lemon
• White
• White black and tan

The breed also has a lot of markings, such as badger, black, black & tan, and others. 

3. Social Traits

The owners of the Otterhounds say their dogs are cheerful, happy dogs, well suited for a family with older children. They are also good for families with more than one dog. However, they need proper socialization from an early age to keep them calm and non-reactive or overly wary of other strange dogs.

Because they are hunting dogs, they don’t go very well with other small animals. Otterhounds have a strong prey drive which means they will try to chase whatever they perceive as prey, whether it’s a neighbor’s cat or a squirrel. We can try to habituate them to other animals we know they will come across, but it is recommended to always keep them on a leash when out for a walk.

Good with children: yes, older children

Good with other dogs: yes, needs socialization

Good with other animals: needs socialization

4. Trainability

The Otterhound is easy to train. They love the company of people and they are eager to please their owners, especially if they do something right during a game which they see as work to be done. Because they were bred to work all day long, especially in water, they are quite energetic which means you will have to consider this before training. Why? Because, if they don’t get enough mental and physical stimulation, they won’t be interested in anything you have to teach them.

But, when they get their dose of sniffing and exploring, they will be more than happy to obey your commands – as long as it’s not stopping them from following a scent. Otterhounds are scent hounds, and you have to understand you cannot expect them to be Belgian Malinois or Border Collies. They will want to follow the scent and they won’t always come back when you call for them.

Trainability: 4 out of 5 (5 being very trainable)

Struggle with: Recall

5. Activity Needs

According to the Kennel Club, an adult Otterhound needs more than 2 hours of daily activities and they are suited for country living, not the city. If it is a city, then either have a large garden or a nearby park where the dog can run and explore. This is very important. As we mentioned in the article Why Walking A Dog Is Important, a highly energetic dog that was bred to work all day long will quickly turn boredom into misbehavior. Apart from that, they won’t be happy. They will become anxious or depressed. 

Activity needs: More than 2 hours (walks, outdoor games, indoor games, hikes, swimming, etc.)

6. Feeding

Generally speaking, an adult Otterhound needs around 3 cups of kibble food daily. It is best to divide the amount into two meals. One meal in the morning (1.5 cups) and the other one in the evening. The amount mentioned is the general rule. Your dog might need more cups, depending on the activity level, health, and age.

The best option is to ask a vet. They will recommend the best diet plan for your dog specifically, especially after a full physical examination. The other option is consulting a breeder you got your dog from. 

7. Grooming

The Otterhound has a double medium and rough-looking coat. They shed in normal amounts and require weekly brushing. It is best to use a combination of a slicer and pin brush for the best results. This combination will allow you to reach deep into the coat and remove the dirt and loose hair properly.

Like any other dog, they need regular nail timing and an occasional bath. The amount of baths depends on how much they get dirty while playing outside and whether they have a strong dog odor or not. 

8. Possible Problems

Generally speaking, Otterhounds are healthy dogs. There are not many Otterhounds left in the world, so responsible breeding and screen-testing of dogs is even more important than in some other breeds. Common health issues include:

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Bloat (GDV)
• Epilepsy 
• Glanzmann’s Thrombasthenia (Otterhound type)

Final Thoughts

The Otterhound is a rare dog that is quite hard to get. The reason behind this is the ban on otter hunting in the UK. With no need for a dog that was “specialized” for one type of hunting, the breeders focused on other hound dogs.

But, if you are willing to look far and wide and pay from $1500 to $2500 for a puppy from a breeder, you will have an amazing dog – loyal, smart, and energetic. Just don’t forget that an energetic dog needs an active owner. They won’t be happy without lots of daily activities, big parks or gardens, and preferably water to swim in and use those webbed feet.

I’d say you can adopt one, but with the breed being so rare, I doubt you will find an Otterhound to adopt. You will have to look hard to find a breeder with puppies available.

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