Otter Hound - Otterhound Dog & Puppies

 

" The Otter's Foe "

Breed Origins: England ( Dates back to antiquity )
Breed usage: Hunting Dog: Otters
Dog Weight: 85 - 155 Pounds
Dog Height: 24 to 27 inches to the shoulder
Cost of Puppies: Cost of puppies varies depending on location, breeder and pedigree history

 

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Information, Facts & Origins of the Otter Hound - Otterhound
The Otter Hound - Otterhound originates in England although its heritage can be dated back to antiquity. It is a very special dog and rare dog as it verged close on extinction when the otter was made a protected species. The Otter Hound - Otterhound and is a dog of considerable size and was bred originally to hunt the otter in order to ensure the trout supply in rivers. It's origins can be dated back for thousands of years and it is classified as one of the Hound Dog Group which we go on to describe in detail in the section at the bottom of this page. Name Facts and Dog Names: This dog's name is often referred to in two separate words as the Otter Hound.

Otterhound Dog Names

The Otter Hound - Otterhound - A Scent Hound
The Otter Hound - Otterhound belongs to the collection of dogs referred to as Scent Hounds, which specialise in following the scent or the smell of its quarry. It wasn’t until the mid 1500's that hounds began to be classified according to their purpose, i.e. sight hounds, scent hounds, etc. Scent Hounds have distinctive characteristics, features and traits which are perfect for their purpose. They have large noses which have deep, open nostrils and their lips are loose and moist, designed to pick up scent particles and follow the trail of an animal. Their ears are long which concentrates the scent on the nose. Their bodies are designed for endurance, an essential asset when following any scent trail. Hunting takes different forms and as man opts for hunting their quarry either on foot or on horseback the scent hounds have been selectively bred to produce small legs, to enable a man to easily follow on foot, or longer legs suited to keep up with a man on horseback. Most scent hounds were used in packs - making a loud, deep baying noise alerting hunters to their location. As a pet the Otter Hound - Otterhound is independent, inquisitive, bold, exuberant dog, friendly, cheerful, loving and intelligent. This dog makes a good house pet providing it is given lots of exercise and attention.

 

Information, Facts & History of the Otter Hound - Otterhound Dog
The Otter Hound - Otterhound is one of the most ancient of the English breeds and it is also one of the rarest and verged perilously close to extinction until the otter was made a protected species in 1978. The Otter Hound - Otterhound were to hunt the otter in order to ensure the trout supply in rivers. Like other hounds they hunted in packs. Their body and temperament suit the task of otter hunting perfectly. They are great swimmers with the ability to swim for hours without stopping - their webbed feet and a strong body also helped them survive the wet conditions. Their sense of smell so acute that it can smell in the morning an otter that passed through the water the night before. Its coat is weatherproof and they are able to defy cold water and will dive into bitterly cold rivers to seek their prey. They would trail the otter to its den and bay when locating it. The hunters would then remove the Otter Hound - Otterhounds and send terriers to kill the otter. King John kept the first documented packs of Otter Hound - Otterhounds in 1212, however, otter hunting did not remain popular with the nobility who preferred falconry and hunting on horseback. The wet and uncomfortable conditions associated with otter hunting was therefore left to the commoners of England. In the 20th century the otter population diminished and the need for the Otter Hound - Otterhound slowly disappeared. The first Otter Hound - Otterhound was registered by the AKC (American Kennel Club) in 1909.


Description of the Otter Hound - Otterhound Dog and Puppies - Coat and Colours info
The
Otter Hound - Otterhound's coat comes in a range of the following colours: 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. The coat is dense, rough, harsh and waterproof.

Dog Health information - potential health problems of the Otter Hounds
All owners of dogs and puppies are concerned about the health care of their pets and just as with humans dog health issues arise from time to time. Resolving dog health problems, including those of the Otter Hound, can prove to be costly and it would be wise to consider the benefits of obtaining dog health insurance. Diseases in dogs may occur because of trauma, infection, immune system abnormalities, genetic factors, or degenerative conditions. Common health problems and questions occur in relation to the Bones, Joints, Muscles, Nerves, Ears, Eyes, Teeth and the Mouth. Other, more serious, issues can relate to the Digestive System, Heart & Respiratory Systems, Immune & Blood Systems, Reproduction and Urinary Systems. Potential health problems of the Otter Hound may be checked via the Dog Symptoms Sorter, but can include:

  • Hip and Elbow Dysplasia (abnormal development of joints referred to as CHD - Canine Hip and Elbow Dysplasia)
  • Gastric Torsion

Online Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems
Please click the following link for additional information which we have provided via our:

Online Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems

 

Dog photograph

 

This describes the most common canine health problems concisely but simply without using medical jargon. A section on Dog and Puppy Vaccinations is also included offering information on each of the diseases, symptoms and effects for which immunization vaccines are available. Not sure of the name of the dog or puppy illness? A Dog Illness Symptoms Sorter is also featured. The Online Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems should only be used as an informational guide and when and if any dog or puppies health problems occur it is essential to raise any questions you may have with a Dog Health care professional.

Description of the Otter Hound - Otterhound Dog and Puppies - Comparative Sizing Pictures & info
The pictures above allow for a useful sizing perspective between an average man (Five feet ten inches) or an average sized woman (Five feet six inches) in comparison to the average sized Otter Hound - Otterhound dog which we have detailed above. These pictures are extremely important as they provide an immediate and accurate visual representation of the height of an average Otter Hound - Otterhound compared to the height of a male or female - essential information but unique to this site. Use the pictures to help to estimate the size of this breed of dog to each the various growing stages of children. Use the pictures to provide a guideline to the adult size of Otter Hound - Otterhound Puppies. The pictures will also prove to be invaluable when comparing the sizes and heights of other dog breeds. The dimensions will vary according to the sex of the dog or puppy. Girl dogs, or bitches, are on average, 2 inches smaller than boy dogs. Another useful piece of information when considering puppies.

Information on Grooming and Care of the Otter Hound - Otterhound Dog Breed
The Otter Hound - Otterhound's coat requires only weekly brushing or combing. Tidiness is not one of its virtues of the Otter Hound - Otterhound and its large, hairy feet tend to hold debris and mud, and its long hair around the mouth can hold water and food. Regardless of the breeds, a certain amount of grooming and care is necessary to keep dogs and puppies looking at their best. Grooming consists of not only brushing out the coat and bathing but also giving attention to the eyes, teeth, ears, feet and nails. A regular routine also ensures that any potential health problems are identified as quickly as possible, especially important in puppies and older dogs.

Information on the Temperament and Character of the Otter Hound - Otterhound Dog Breed
Otter Hound - Otterhounds
are independent, inquisitive, bold, exuberant dog, friendly, cheerful, loving and intelligent. This dog makes a good house pet providing it is given lots of exercise and attention. Even though the Otter Hound - Otterhound's job was not to kill its quarry, it will give chase to any small, moving animals. The Otter Hound - Otterhound loves to hunt, sniff, trail and, especially, swim.

Living conditions and Exercise Requirements of the Otter Hound - Otterhound Dog Breed
The
Otter Hound - Otterhound dogs and puppies needs daily exercise in a safe area or on a leash. It has a loud, melodious voice that carries for long distances. It can sleep outdoors, housed in a kennel, in warm or cool climates. Training them takes patience, because they tend to be quite wilful. The best results are achieved with a soft but consistent hand. They like to roam and sniff and have a tendency to snore.

Otter Hound - OtterHound - Puppies Info and Names
The Puppies section, accessed via the Site Index, provides detailed information about Choosing the right puppy, Puppy Training, Puppy Care and Puppy Behavior, Growth & Development. We recommend that the following considerations should always be taken into account when choosingOtter Hound - Otterhound puppies:

  • Budget - Purchasing, training, equipment, medication and feeding costs of the breed
  • Convenience and Grooming time e.g. long or short hair
  • Personal situation - time available and medical conditions such as allergies, asthma or back pain
  • Exercising requirements for the Otter Hound - Otterhound breed
  • Living Conditions for the breed - suitability for puppies
  • Family - child suitability

Children and Puppies!
The pictures above allow for a useful comparison of sizes providing an accurate portrait of the size of an average Otter Hound - Otterhound - essential information and unique to this site. It should also be noted that the pictures feature adults. The size of puppies are naturally considerably smaller and the full grown size of the animal can easily be forgotten when confronted with cute puppies! The slogan " A dog isn't just for Christmas - it's for life!" was necessitated by well meaning people buying puppies at the Christmas, unaware of the puppies growth rate. The pictures provided make it extremely clear exactly how small puppies will develop and whether it will suit the life and living conditions of the family.

Age comparison between the Otter Hound - Otterhound Dog Breed and a Human
Age comparisons between dogs and humans are always a matter of debate - we hope that the following information clarifies the situation. After the first year of life, a dog is equivalent to sixteen human years. After two years, they are equivalent to a 24 year old, at three years a 30 year old, and each year after, add 5 human years to determine a dog's age.

Life Expectancy of the Otter Hound - Otterhound Dog Breed
The life expectancy for this particular breed is between 10 – 13 years.

Hound Dog Breed Information
As implied by its name the Hound has been bred to chase a quarry by sight or smell, or a combination of both senses. Sighthounds have exceptional eyesight, combined with the speed and stamina necessary to catch the intended prey once seen, typical examples being the Greyhound and the Whippet. Hounds which rely strongly on the sense of smell to follow the trail of a prey, such as the Bloodhound, quite literally follow their noses, speed and eyesight is of less importance.
Characteristics and features have been introduced and strengthened by breeding from animals who already demonstrated the desired traits. Breeding for appearance was only introduced in the 19th Century. Before this time dogs and puppies were bred to increase useful abilities and traits helpful for the duties they were intended for.  Thus, the various hound breeds were initially introduced to help man according to specific requirements such as:

 
  • Hunting and running down small quarry
  • Flushing out and Driving game
  • Vermin Hunting
  • Guard duties
  • Tracking

In this day and age only a few hounds still undertake these tasks, but nevertheless, they still harbour the skills and characteristics that made the original Otter Hound - Otterhound dog breeding program successful.

 

The Hound Breed Group of dogs differ in that some hunt by scent and others by sight. Many hounds are kept in packs, in outdoor kennels. Any dogs and puppies belonging to the Hound breeds require a significant amount of exercise as they have high stamina levels suitable for hunting quarry. There are some breeds in this group who make a distinctive ' baying ' sound - invaluable information should be considering puppies. The pictures above allow for a useful size comparison providing an accurate portrait of the size of an average Otter Hound - Otterhound dog - essential information but unique to this site. 

 

Otter Hound - Otterhound Dog Breed

Examples of other Breeds within the Hound Dog Group 
The Hound group of dogs includes the Otter Hound - Otterhound and all of the following breeds:
Afghans, Foxhounds, Basenjis, Bassets, Beagles, Black and Tan Coonhounds, Bloodhounds, Borzoi, Dachshunds, English Foxhounds, Greyhounds, Harriers, Irish Wolfhounds, Norwegian Elkhounds, Otterhounds, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens, American Fox hounds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Salukis, Scottish Deerhounds and Whippets. Pictures and information about all of the above Hound Dog breeds, together with all other dog groups, may be found on this website via the following links:

 

Dog Breeds - ABC List

Dog Names & Breeds Site Index

Hound Dog Breeds  

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