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Characteristics, History, and Health
Otterhound
The Otterhound is a breed with a history stretching back several centuries, with the earliest references dating to the 12th century. It originated in England and was primarily used for hunting otters, hence the name. Their sense of smell and webbed feet made them excellent for this role. Otterhounds have a dense and rough double coat that is designed to protect them from the elements when they are hunting in water. Their outer coat is coarse and somewhat oily, while the undercoat is softer and denser. The population of the breed decreased significantly with the banning of otter hunting in the UK in the late 20th century. It is considered a vulnerable and endangered breed due to its low population.
Main Info
- Origin
- England
- Lineage
- Scent Hound Lineage
- Alternate Names
- None known
- Life Expectancy
- 10-13 years
- Average Male Height
- 27 inches
- Average Female Height
- 24 inches
- Average Male Weight
- 115 pounds
- Average Female Weight
- 80 pounds
- Coat Length
- Medium
- Coat Type
- Double, Rough
- Coat Colors
- Black, Black & Tan, Blue, Gray, Lemon, Liver & Tan, Tan, White, White Black & Tan, Wheaten, Blue & Cream
- Coat Pattern
- White Markings, Lemon Markings, Tan Markings, Black Markings, Badger Markings, Silver Markings, Black & Tan Markings, Grizzle Markings, Liver Markings, White & Tan Markings
Genetic Predispositions and Health
Otterhounds can suffer from degenerative myelopathy and progressive rod-cone degeneration. A specific hereditary condition for which they should be tested is Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia Type I.
Personality and Behavior
Otterhounds are known for their friendly and affectionate nature. They are good with children and can get along well with other dogs, but their hunting instincts may not make them the best choice for homes with smaller pets. They are intelligent dogs, but can be somewhat stubborn, so they require consistent and patient training. Their active and energetic nature means they need plenty of exercise.
Scent Hound Lineage
A canine genetic lineage is a group of individuals or entire breeds that descended from common ancestors predating modern breed formation. Often these lineages are associated with a ‘type’ of dog with a unique historical working role and associated behaviors (e.g., herding, scent hunting, etc.).
Scent Hounds were historically used as hunting dogs. They were bred for their exceptional sense of smell, which is also a defining factor of this lineage of dogs. Scent hounds also have a distinctive bark which sounds more like a howl, this was developed to communicate with their hunters. Many breeds within this lineage were bred to work in groups, and have a strong pack mentality. Scent Hounds tend to have a stronger drive to follow their nose instinctually than their human counterpart. Scent hounds are also known for their endurance and stamina, these traits allow them to follow scents over long distances and for long periods of time.
Example breeds with ancestry from this lineage include Basset Hound, English Foxhound, and Dachshund.
Fun Facts
According to the AKC, the Otterhound is one of the most endangered dog breeds in the world. It's even more rare than the Giant Panda.
They have one of the most senstive noses in the canine world and can tell if an otter passed through the water the night before! They are also said to be able to track scents that are over a week old.
They have webbed feet, a unique characteristic that aids them in swimming.
References
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/otterhound/
https://www.ukcdogs.com/otterhound
https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/OTTERHOUND-294.html
https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/breed/otterhound
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