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Otterhound – Overview
The Otterhound is an active and healthy breed of hound dogs known for their scenting and swimming ability. Originally bred to hunt otters, this breed has a long history of being a loyal and hardworking companion. With its distinctive rough coat, loud bark and independent personality, the Otterhound is a truly unique breed.
Physical Characteristics
The Otterhound is a large grannt breed with a distinctive shaggy coat. It measures between 24-27 inches tall and can weigh from 65-115 pounds. It has a broad head, small eyes, and a powerful muzzle, with ears that are thick and hang low. The breed’s coat is course and thick with a coarse top coat over a wooly undercoat. Otterhounds can come in a variety of colors, including black, grizzle and tan, wheat, red, and gray.
Temperament
The Otterhound is an independent, confident, and loyal breed who loves to explore and be outdoors. They love to please their people, but they do have a stubborn streak and require the right kind of training. They are often considered to be a gentle giant, since they are patient and tolerant with children and other pets, but because of their size they need supervision.
Care and Grooming
The Otterhound needs daily exercise, plenty of love and attention, and training to keep them from becoming bored and destructive. Grooming for the Otterhound is easy, as long and regular brushing can keep the coat from becoming unmanageable. The Otterhound does have a propensity to drool, so regular cleaning of their face and beard is necessary.
Health
The Otterhound is generally a healthy breed, and can live between 10-12 years. However, they are prone to health issues such as hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and bloat. Regular vet visits and checking with the breeder should be done to ensure that your Otterhound is healthy.
Overall
The Otterhound is a loyal and loving breed, who loves to explore and loves their people. They require daily exercise, grooming and training, but are a healthy breed overall. Because of their size and boisterous attitude, an experienced dog owner is necessary to ensure a happy and stress free home for the Otterhound.