Otterhounds are very rare . But if you ’re favourable enough to hang out with one , they make fast friends because of their well-chosen behaviour and lovable personalities .
otterhound are a big volley of sunshine from the second you see their shaggy coating bound into the room . When you hear their name , you may be expecting a Canis familiaris that look like an otter . But these playful doggy in reality get their namesake not from their looks , but from their keen sense of olfactory sensation — their herculean sniffer allowed them to follow the fragrance of an otter for international mile in mediaeval England .
Even if they ’re no longer searching for otters , these hounds still have all the makings of a breed that ’s suited for subaqueous pursuance : A obtuse , waterproof coat ; webbed feet ; and alove for swimming .
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But do n’t expect to go into an otterhound at your local dog car park — this is one of therarest dog breeds . According toThe Otterhound Club of America ( OCA ) , there are only about 800 of these pups worldwide . But if you ’re lucky enough to come across one , you ’ll find your new favorite companion : Otterhounds are incredibly favorable , soundly - humor , and make friends wherever they go .
Appearance
The first thing you ’ll point out about the otterhound is his shaggy coating . It ’s often dim and tan but cancome in many different colorsincluding whole-wheat , red grizzle , liver and tan , and black . And while that fur may look a routine coarse , this is for a great reason — it can wick away water so your otterhound can mirthfully bound into puddles or pool with abandon . They even have webbed foundation , so they ’ll by all odds good you when it hail to swim laps .
Otterhounds arelarge dogswith builds fitting their big personality . Male otterhounds can be up to 115 pounds , and female person typically count around 80 pounds . Their spacious shoulder and chests are perfect for swimming , and they brook 24–27 inches marvelous .
His long auricle compose his sweet face , and his profoundly lay out disconsolate eye are always looking up at you . To keep your otterhound as handsome as possible , give him abrush at least once a week , devote particular care to his beard and any fuzz around his fundament . You do n’t need any grooming issues getting in the way of playtime !
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Temperament
You ’ll get one go - to word for identify an otterhound temperament : gleeful . These pups are known for their amusing joke and salutary nature , and they are happy to greet anyone ( and everyone ) on the street .
These pups makegreat household companionsand their forthcoming demeanor gain them adream playmate for youngster . However , because they aresoplayful and are fairly large dogs , always superintend vernal kid when playing with an otterhound — you do n’t need any small kiddos to get unexpectedly knock over ! It ’s also important to teach all kids to be docile with their young doggy BFF .
Stacy Choczynski Johnson , DVM , veterinary expert forPumpkin Pet Insurance , advocate that crime syndicate bring out their otter hound to small fry when the pup is less than six month old .
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" This helps them acclimate to gentle play with the children early in living , " she says . " In general , it ’s really of import toteach tyke about canine body linguistic communication cuesand venerating manipulation . This way , everyone can grow up happy and function well together . "
And their goodwill does n’t just apply to humans : Otterhounds can also get along well with other dog-iron and beast , especially if they ’re introduce early and evoke alongside them .
Otterhounds just require to hang out with you , whether it’stossing a ball around the yardor curling up next to you while you read a playscript . But do n’t be bummed if they want to do their own thing once in a while , too . otterhound are a pretty self-governing breed , but they still love to be include and should n’t be leave alone for longsighted stretches . It ’s only a matter of meter before they come back to the couch and tap you to share yourmovie nighttime popcorn .
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talk of bite , an otterhound ’s famous nose is perfect for sniffle out his next repast . Couple that with his tenaciousness andintelligence , and he can easy get into everything from his treat bag to your own dinner party . Be sure to keep his treats and dog nutrient varnish and operate away until it ’s mealtime , and do n’t leave any people intellectual nourishment on the counter unattended .
Living Needs
While otter hound will love hang inside with you , they will show a whole newfangled level of fun out of doors . Because of their size of it , they ’ll do well in a house witha fenced - in 1000 . These gamey pup bonk engaging anatomy of play such as fetch and evenagility exercises , so having access code to a yard will allow you to absorb their minds as well as give them deal of time to sniff around outdoors .
otter hound also have such a strong good sense of smell that they are prone to roll off in search of new friends . Even in a fenced - in yard , be sure to keep an middle on your otterhound so he does n’t bunk . And when out and about , alwayskeep him on a leash .
Apartment livelihood might not be best for otterhounds , not only because of their merriment and larger - than - biography size , but because of their louder - than - living barking . Thisbreed is quite vocaland any family they bring together will have to be quick for their chatty personality . Do n’t be surprised if your otterhound carries on entire conversation with you as he bays , barks , grunts , sigh , and moan . He will even " sing " with you !
Before bringing home an otter hound pup , be indisputable everyone in your fam is quick for a new — and very enthusiastic — playfellow . These pupsdo advantageously in participating homeswhere they have pals to go swimming , hiking , or running with .
Care
Keep a thicket ready to hand if you have an otterhound in your home plate : His shaggy coat will call for to be brush once a workweek with a diffuse slicker brushing to keep him in great term . tally for any matting with a comb and give his renowned beard a feeling , too , as he often dunks his entire nose into his weewee and food bowl ( relatable ! ) . Because of this , it ’s a good estimation to give his grimace a quick wipe - down and brush every so often .
" Moist food , peanut butter , and other bite can also easily adhere to the coating , so owners should be aware of that , " Choczynski Johnson allege . She also points out that a drab chocolate-brown staining may also develop on an otter hound ’s jarful fur , which is " normally due to raw salivary paint called porphyrins . If you see an smell , wearing away , or pustule around the back talk , owner should talk to their veterinary . "
Because of their long ears , otterhounds can bepredisposed to ear infection , so check andclean their earsregularly . And like with all other wienerwurst , keep their nail trimmedso they do n’t click - clapper valve across the floor .
Whentraining your otterhound , he’llthrive with irrefutable reenforcement . Keep asteady provision of treatson hand to get your pooch to learn quickly , and an even more effective method acting is pile praise for a job well done . otter hound are very sensitive click , so head pats and " serious son ! " will go a recollective way whenteaching them obedienceandnew tricks .
Health
Otterhounds are afairly salubrious breedwith a life expectancy of 10–13 year . But like all dogs , their human parents will want to be on the lookout for specific issues pertaining to the stock .
As a large breed , otterhound can be prone to alife - peril condition called bloatwhere the stomach spread out and twists , according to the OCA . Also like other magnanimous dogs , they can develophip dysplasiaandelbow dysplasia .
Choczynski Johnson also says otterhounds may inherit a platelet defect calledGlanzmann ’s thrombasthenia .
" Platelets are responsible for clotting the origin , " she explicate . " Otterhounds develop coagulation issues from a mutation in the cistron that codes for a platelet airfoil receptor call glycoprotein IIb . There is an selection for otter hound breeder to have deoxyribonucleic acid testing perform on their dogs atAuburn Universityto determine if they are carriers of this genetic defect . "
And because of his riposte - surfing capabilities , you ’ll need to keep a snug eye on your otter hound ’s free weight so he doesn’tbecome obese .
History
Though rarefied today , otterhounds have a long story dating back to medieval British crowned head , according to the Oxalis crenata , where they were used to hound otters . The breed ’s water - wicking pelage , gifted olfactory organ , webbed feet , and endless exuberance for swim made themperfect hunt dogs . They could track otters for long distances , even underwater .
Hunting otters was not only a sport but an of import labor . Otters often ate up the all - important fish universe — and it was up to the otterhound to keep that intellectual nourishment supply protected . When otter hunting was outlawed , the otterhound and his nose were out of a job . Today , he ’s more often found jump around in rainwater puddles or competing on the agility course than hunting in the field of view .
