Otterhound

General Information - Otterhound

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History

The Otterhound is a rather old breed obtained from crossings among the Bloodhound with Rough-Haired Terriers, Griffons and Harriers. The otter, as the breed's name suggests, is this dog's preferred prey. Otterhounds were used in packs for controlling the otter population, since otter competed with fisherman for the natural trout supply in rivers. Several British Kings were titled Master of Otterhounds, including King John, (1199-1216), Richard III, Charles II, Edward II and IV, Henry II, VI, VII and VIII and Elizabeth I. In the late 1800s there were sometimes more than a dozen packs operating in Britain during every hunting season. The Otterhound has a sense of smell so acute that it can smell in the morning an otter that passed through the water the night before. In the 20th century, as the otter population diminished, so did the Otterhound's popularity. By 1978, the otter became a protected species and the Otterhound's existence was threatened. A concerted effort by several dedicated breeders saved the breed and brought these dogs to the show ring. The Otterhound is a great swimmer with the ability to swim for hours without stopping. Defying the cold water and wet, it will dive into the water seeking its prey and its prey's den. The breed has also been used successfully to hunt raccoon, bear and mink. It has a good sense of smell and is ideally suited to drag-hunting or searching. An Otterhound can also make a fine family companion. The breed has been introduced at least twice in New Zealand and Australia, but numbers remain small. The Otterhound is listed as a rare breed.

Temperament

The Otterhound is a bold and exuberant dog. Friendly, cheerful, loving and devoted, it makes a good companion. This breed is quite good with children, but may be clumsy with small children and therefore is not recommended for infants. They are a friend to all other dogs, family pets, children and people in general, however it will chase non-canine animals (it can get along with cats in the family). They are affectionate, intelligent, and independent with a mind of their own. Because the Otterhound was never traditionally kept as a pet, it is not among the most responsive of breeds. Training the Otterhound takes patience, because it tends to be quite willful. The Otterhound is a low-key dog that can function as a quiet companion. They like to roam and sniff and have a tendency to snore. Otterhounds have a harmonious, boisterous and powerful voice that carries for long distances. They like to bay; though they don't bark excessively.

Upkeep

The Otterhound needs daily exercise in a safe area or on a leash. It has a loud, melodious voice that carries for long distances. The Otterhound's coat requires only weekly brushing or combing. It may need its beard washed more frequently. Tidiness is not one of its virtues; the large, hairy feet tend to hold debris and mud, and the long hair around the mouth can hold water and food. It can sleep outdoors in temperate or cool climates, given good shelter.

Otterhound

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

Breed Standard - Otterhound

Characteristics: An amiable, even tempered hound.

General Appearance: A big strongly built hound, straight limbed and sound, rough-coated with majestic head, strong body and loose long-striding action. Being primarily built for a long day’s work in water, the rough double coat and large feet are essential. As the hound must be able to gallop on land it must be free moving.

Head and Skull: Clean and very imposing, deep rather than wide, clean cheekbones, skull nicely domed, neither coarse nor overdone, rising from a distinct though not exaggerated stop to slight peak at the occiput. There should be no trace of scowl or bulge in forehead, the expression being open and amiable. Muzzle strong and deep with good wide nose ending in wide nostrils. Distance from nose - end to stop slightly shorter than from stop to occiput. Plenty of lip and flew, but not exaggerated. The whole head, except for nose, should be well covered with rough hair, ending in slight moustaches and beard, both being part of the natural face hair.

Eyes: An intelligent, moderately deepset eye, the haw showing only slightly. Eye colour and rim pigment variable according to coat colour, e.g. a blue and tan hound may have hazel eyes. Yellow eye undesirable.

Ears: A unique feature of the breed. Should be long and pendulous, set on a level with the corner of the eye, easily reaching the nose when pulled forward, with the characteristic fold which denotes pure breeding. The leading edge should fold or roll inwards giving a curious, draped appearance. This is an essential point, which should not be lost. Well covered and fringed with hair.

Mouth: Strong, very large, well placed teeth with scissor bite; viz., the jaws should be strong, with a perfect regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Level bite permissible.

Neck: Neck long and powerful, set smoothly into well laid back, clean shoulders. Slight dewlap permissible.

Forequarters: Forelegs strongly boned, straight from elbow to ground. Pasterns strong and slightly sprung.

Body: Chest deep with well sprung oval ribcage which should be fairly long, with ribs carried well back allowing for plenty of heart and lung room; neither too wide nor too narrow. Body very strong with level top line and broad back. Loin short and strong. Angulation both at shoulder and elbow.

Hindquarters: Very strong and well muscled when viewed from any angle, standing neither too wide nor too narrow behind. The stifle fairly well bent; hocks well let down, turning neither in nor out. Thighs and second thighs heavily muscled. In natural stance, the hind legs from the hock to the ground should be perpendicular.

Feet: Feet large, round, well knuckled, thick padded, turning neither in nor out. Compact when standing but capable of spreading, the hindfeet only slightly smaller than the forefeet. Web must be in evidence.

Gait: Peculiar to the Otterhound, gait very loose and shambling at a walk, springing immediately into a loose and very long:striding sound, active trot. The gallop smooth and exceptionally long-striding.

Tail: Set high and carried up when alert or on the move, it should never curl over the back and may droop when standing. Thick at the base, tapering to a point; bone should reach to the hock and be carried straight or in a slight curve. The hair under the tail (stern) rather longer and more profuse than that on the upper surface.

Coat: Should be long 4 - 8 cm (1.5 - 3 in), dense, rough, harsh and waterproof. An undercoat should be evident and there may be a slightly oily texture both in top and undercoat. The Otterhound requires no trimming for exhibition. Presentation should be natural.

• Recognised hound colours: whole coloured, grizzle, sandy, red, wheaten, blue; these may have slight white markings on head, chest, feet and tail tip.
• White hounds may have slight lemon, blue or badger pied markings.
• Black and tan, blue and tan, black and cream, occasional liver, tan and liver, tan and white.

Colours not permissible:

• Liver and white, a white bodied hound with black and tan patches distinctly separate.
• Pigment should harmonize though not necessarily blend with coat colour; e.g., a tan hound may have a brown nose and eye rims. A slight butterfly nose is permissible.

Size: Dogs approximately 67 cm (27 in) at the shoulder. Bitches approximately 60 cm (24 in).

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.


Copyright Dogs New Zealand
01 Jan 2002

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.