History

Famed for their association with the British royal family for hunting purposes, the otterhounds are cute enough to steal anybody’s heart. The otterhounds are a cross between the blood hound and the rough-haired terriers, griffons and harriers. The silent, reliable and loyal Otterhounds make an ideal family pet. Deriving their names from the task of controlling and hunting the ‘otter population’, the otterhounds were first introduced in US in the 20th century. For their love of otterhounds, many British kings were known as the ‘masters of otterhounds’.

Appearance

Otterhounds have webbed feet, eyes with pitch dark iris, a rosy conjunctiva and dangling ears. Their coat is long, dense and straight. A typical feature of this breed is the shaggy face and bushy eyebrows. Otterhounds have a large, round head that bears close resemblance to that of the bloodhound

Color

Black, Brown, Tan, Sable, Black Markings, Grizzle

Personality

Boisterous, courageous and cheerful best describe this breed. This willful dog requires a gentle but strong and stern owner. Otterhounds are also affectionate and intelligent. They make the best companion dogs and are quite friendly with humans, though slightly clumsy when dealing with kids, especially infants. The breed is renowned for its faithfulness and devotion to its master.

Health Concerns

Otterhounds are easily susceptible to ailments like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia thrombocytopenia, hemophilia and bloat. Another serious health concern reported is the bleeding disorder. The average life expectancy of an otterhound is 10 to 15 years.

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, AKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR