Breed of the Month – The Otterhound

Dog Diaries discovers why it’s so important to keep these lovable, endangered hounds around to enjoy…

As the name suggests, these gentle giants were originally developed in England for hunting otters, yet with the banning of otter hunting in the UK in the late 1970s, the Otterhound has had to make the transition from hunter to family pet.

While they did so with relative ease, the breed is increasingly rare and with only an estimated 1000 of the dogs remaining worldwide, the Otterhound is now considered more endangered than the Giant Panda.

History
In order to create the perfect otter-hunting dog (otters used to compete with – and often beat – fishermen for trout), the Bloodhound was bred in the 1800s with various other breeds of terriers and hunting dogs until the perfect specimen was produced.

With a keen sense of smell, a thick, oily double-coat (perfect for keeping warm in the water and for drying off quickly), substantially webbed feet for swimming and a deep, booming bark, these strong-bodied hunters were a formidable threat… if you were an otter.

When hunting otters was banned, Otterhound numbers sadly started to decline, and in 1978 they were officially considered one of the most endangered breeds worldwide. Efforts have since been underway to preserve the lineage of this charming and laidback hunter as a family pet – a role that suits the breed just as well as its former occupation on the riverbanks of the United Kingdom.

Appearance
Coming in almost any combination of colours, the Otterhound is mainly distinguishable by its shaggy, curly coat, large size and booming bark (which belie a very friendly temperament!) At approximately 66cm tall and weighing in at over 50kg, the Otterhound is a very sturdy, muscular dog and has a lot of endurance and stamina for exercise and hard work. Having said this, most are happy to lie on the couch and be loved, so have a tendency to obesity in later life if they’re not exercised regularly.

An interesting aspect of the Otterhound’s appearance is the fleshy membrane on the bottom eyelid, which can give the impression of being awake when they are actually fast asleep. This attribute evolved from the breed’s history in the wild, to ward off predators which may attack whilst they are vulnerable.

With a lifespan of eight to 12 years, the breed can have a tendency towards some ‘large dog’ health issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia and thrombocytopenia (a blood disease characterised by an abnormally small number of platelets), so regular check-ups with the vet, as with any dog, are a must.

Personality
Friendly and affectionate, the Otterhound is not only great with members of its family, but strangers and, especially, other children, too. While its bark is loud and deep, the Otterhound is no guard dog, and is much more likely to offer the postman a sniff and a smile than any serious threat!
While their intelligence makes them good learners, their stubbornness can sometimes pose an obstacle to training when they are pups, which must be overcome early on.

Given its double coat, Otterhounds are, not surprisingly, more common in cooler climates. However, there are several breeders within Australia doing their best to encourage the continuation of the breed. Because they are so rare, expect a long wait for a puppy, but if you are looking for a big, lovable companion that is both affectionate and able to entertain themselves, you may just be in line to take care of one of the canine world’s rarest gifts.

Image sources: breederretriever.com and clubs.akc.org