Otterhound
A big, shaggy British hound with webbed feet and a booming voice, amiable and easy-going yet strong-minded.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height at the withers
- Males 65–69 cm · Females 58–63 cm
- Weight
- Males 41–52 kg · Females 30–41 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–13 years
- Exercise
- 90–120 min a day
- Grooming
- A few times a week
- Coat
- Rough, Double coat, medium
- Colours
- Grey, Wheaten, Red, Black and tan, Blue
- Bred for
- Hunting by scent, Water work, Companionship
- Country of origin
- United Kingdom
- FCI
- Group 6, no. 294 · Scent hounds
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 4/5 – High |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 4/5 – High |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 2/5 – Low |
| Prey drive | 4/5 – High |
| Watchful and protective | 2/5 – Low |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Drooling | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 1/5 – Very low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with cold | 4/5 – High |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- love large, scruffy dogs
- enjoy walks near water
- have space and a relaxed attitude to mess
Think twice if you …
- want a tidy house
- need a highly obedient dog
- live in a small flat
Care
Temperament
Friendly, good-humoured and boisterous, gentle with family. Independent and determined when following a scent.
Exercise
Needs long daily walks and enjoys swimming; scent work and hiking suit it well.
Grooming
Brush the rough coat a few times a week to prevent mats, and clean the beard and ears regularly.
Training
Willing in short, fun sessions, but strongly independent; recall needs lifelong practice.
Health
Hip and elbow dysplasia and an inherited bleeding disorder, Glanzmann thrombasthenia, are known in the breed. Ask the breeder for results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
DNA tests
- Glanzmann thrombasthenia
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Otterhound was bred in Britain for hunting otters along rivers, a pursuit that ended when otter hunting was banned in the 1970s. Its rough, oily double coat, large webbed feet and great stamina let it work in cold water for hours.
Today it is one of the rarest British breeds and is mostly kept as a companion. It is amiable, boisterous and usually friendly with everyone, with a deep, musical voice. It is also large, messy after walks, and very independent when it finds a scent, so it suits relaxed owners with space and patience.
Did you know?
The Otterhound is on the Kennel Club's list of vulnerable native breeds, with only a few dozen puppies registered in the UK each year.