7 things to know before owning an Otterhound

The Otterhound originated in England. They were bred specifically for otter hunting, hence the name. The Otterhound is a cross between a Bloodhound and another canine. Aside from hunting, this dog breed is also known for its exceptional stamina and sharp sense of smell. Many British monarchs were avid Otterhound owners and admirers. These dogs are wonderful companions in their way. Even though they have an identifiable sloppy appearance, their personalities and characteristics are endearing enough to warrant bringing one into your home. However, there can be drawbacks to having one, so you should think about it before making a purchase. Here are some of the things you need to consider!

The Otterhounds are playful and friendly.

The Otterhound is a friendly dog who loves to spend time with his family. They can be warm and playful but don't go to extremes to show their love for their family. When you're home, he'll probably greet you enthusiastically, but he won't necessarily follow you everywhere you go.

Your Otterhound will become your best buddy in no time as long as you keep it on a leash or in a securely secured yard. Otterhounds, with the appropriate owner, may make excellent family dogs due to their sociability and affection for humans and other animals.

The breed is known for being kind and welcoming to friends and strangers. Because they are generally friendly and outgoing, they are not the best choice for guard duty. This means they're generally an excellent choice for households with a steady stream of visitors.

They need ample space to roam around.

The Otterhound is not a good choice for people who live in small spaces or who don't have access to a yard due to their size and energy level. People living in apartments will have difficulty providing sufficient room to play and move around.

This breed is on the larger side. Typically, a female weighs around 65 pounds, whereas a male can weigh up to 125 pounds. And because of this, they're also space hoggers.

The Otterhounds are quite rare despite being an old breed.

Otterhounds have existed for a long time, but their numbers are slowly declining. Do not count on easily locating an Otterhound if you've got your mind made up about owning one. They are considered endangered.

It was estimated that a little over a thousand otterhounds exist nowadays. It is ironic that it became so rare despite being somewhat a royalty pup in the past. While the Otterhound's temperament isn't directly at fault, no one ever knows for sure why.

Otterhounds are excellent with kids.

While otterhounds are fine with most children, their enormous size, clumsy nature, and high-energy personalities may make them unsuitable for toddlers and preschoolers; thus, they require close supervision around youngsters. They adore kids and wouldn't do anything to harm one, but their size and enthusiasm might easily knock a little one over.

Although Otterhounds are friendly and outgoing, they would do best in a household with teenagers or adults—older children who are aware of and able to provide for the dog's basic needs.

The Otterhounds have a super sensitive sense of smell.

When it comes to tracking activities, the Otterhound is unrivaled. He'll probably sniff around because his nose is as sensitive as a hound's. Keep your Otterhound on a leash outside the safety of a gated yard since he could easily get distracted by a pleasant scent and run away.

They are bred to hunt.

The original purpose for which the Otterhound was developed was as a hunting dog. The earliest organized activity in England that used groups of scent hounds was otter hunting, which was popular among the country's aristocracy.

Terriers and Otterhounds were employed to hunt otters in the water and land. The Otterhound's coarse, double coat and big, webbed feet are adaptations for his dual purpose as a land and water hunting dog.

When the otter was roused from its den by terriers, the Otterhound was ready to take over once it reached the water. Because of his acute sense of smell, the Otterhound has no problem locating his prey by following the scent in the water and the otter's tracks on land.

The Otterhounds tend to be pretty vocal.

The bark of an Otterhound is unique and melodic. You can expect a dog with a loud, baying voice. Hunters will love this noisy bay, but it may not go down pretty well with the neighborhood.

It's crucial to teach your Otterhound when to be quiet. While part of the breed is naturally soft, the vast majority enjoy the sound of its voice.

These dogs need to be socialized with other pets to get along well.

Dogs and other animals generally can coexist peacefully with Otterhounds when they have been raised alongside them or introduced to them appropriately. The Otterhound, like all dogs, benefits significantly from early socialization, during which they must be presented to a wide variety of people, places, things, and activities.

However, exercising caution while introducing it to smaller animals would be best. Because of their powerful hunting sense, it will probably chase after anything it mistakes for prey.

This breed can be a challenge to train.

The independent nature of the Otterhound makes training difficult. They demand a lot of patience from their trainers since they get pretty amusing when unwilling to perform what they're being told. It would help if you won its trust so that it agrees to do what you want.

Keep training sessions brief, enjoyable, and encouraging for both of you, and be more persistent than it is. The Otterhound may be big and strong, but its personality is sensitive, and won't learn from punishment. Because of the Otterhound's high food motivation, training sessions must often include a tasty treat.

Since training an otterhound can be difficult, you should begin obedience classes as soon as possible. Getting professional help is wise if you're worried about doing it wrong.

These dogs need lots of exercise.

The Otterhound requires extensive physical activity. Without adequate exercise, an Otterhound left alone in the backyard for extended periods can become bored and find ways to amuse himself, like digging and baying.

Otterhounds need more than playing in the backyard to stay healthy and happy. To maintain its physical and mental health, it must engage in a strenuous workout every day, such as long walks, running, or swimming.

Otterhounds do not make excellent guard dogs.

As a breed, Otterhounds are known for their loud and rowdy barking. But don't count on him to protect your home; he's much too friendly. Despite its friendly demeanor, the Otterhound is not an ideal guard dog. All he'll do to deter visitors is bark loudly at them.

These dogs love the outdoors but still need to be with their humans.

Even though Otterhounds love the great outdoors, they are better suited to an inside lifestyle with their families. They can sleep outside at mild and cool paces, provided he has a secure place to rest.

Despite its independence, it craves the company of its loved ones and will act out destructively if left alone for too long. Mostly, they need walking, running, or swimming partners.

They are prone to getting overweight.

It may get too heavy if you don't watch what you feed your Otterhound. They have a robust food drive coupled with their acute sense of smell. So, they can easily target threats and stash foods hidden away.

Feed the Otterhound twice daily and avoid always leaving food out. Restrict sweets and push for physical activities. It's important to remember that this dog's size dictates that it needs a substantial amount of food, but it is not an excuse to stuff it with so much.

The Otterhounds are generally healthy.

Otterhounds are generally healthy, but like many dog breeds, they are predisposed to a few specific diseases.

Although not every Otterhound will be affected by these conditions, knowing about them is essential if you consider getting one. The Otterhound breed is prone to hip dysplasia, bloating, Glanzmann Thrombasthenia (GT), elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, and more.

The Otterhounds are known for their messy look.

This double-coated breed is known for its rough appearance. As a breed, Otterhounds are known for their long, shaggy double coat. This mash-up makes the Otterhound somewhat weather-proof; he can splash about in water without his undercoat being drenched.

Otterhounds are pretty easy to maintain and groom.

The shaggy coat of Otterhound sheds and needs to be combed at minimum once a week to keep it from matting. The beard must be wiped down after every meal to prevent odor and bacteria from forming. You may want to bathe it once a month.

It is recommended that the Otterhound's coat not be cut frequently. A dog's coat takes roughly two years to develop back to its previous length. Two or three times a week, you should brush your Otterhound's teeth to remove plaque and tartar.

It would help if you cut their nails once or twice a month to avoid painful tears and other issues. Ear infections are common in this breed. Redness or a foul odor coming from his ears is a sign of infection and should be checked weekly.

Otterhounds are not ideal for novice dog owners.

The Otterhound cost might be intimidating to many people, especially those new to pet rearing. In most cases, you'll need a strong stomach and endless patience to deal with the Otterhound's high activity level and disposition. Some examples of such pursuits include a challenge in housebreaking your dog, the constant chewing, shedding, drooling, grooming, and maintenance.

Overall, the Otterhound is a fantastic dog, but they are so rare that you might have difficulty looking for one. These canines are kind, friendly, and loyal friends who enjoy relaxing at home and going on adventures. Although they were initially bred to hunt, they became so famous with royalties at some point. If you've ever seen an Otterhound bound into a room, it will bring great joy. These dogs may no longer be on the hunt for otters, but they still have the thick, weather-proof coat, webbed feet, and a penchant for swimming, making them an ideal breed for aquatic activities.