The Otterhound is one of the rarest dog breeds on earth — fewer than 1,000 are thought to exist worldwide — and that scarcity, plus its size and needs, is the headline any honest profile has to lead with. This is a large, shaggy, scenthound bred in medieval England to hunt otters in cold rivers, and almost everything about it traces back to that job: a 65-115 lb dog with a rough, oily, weatherproof double coat, fully webbed feet, a deep chest for all-day swimming, and a nose so powerful it could follow a 'wash' (an underwater scent trail) hours old. Temperament is genuinely lovable: even-tempered, amiable, boisterous, and affectionate with family and other dogs. But the Otterhound is a pack scenthound, not a companion breed dressed up as one. It is loud — the deep bay carries for a long distance and will not endear you to close neighbors. It is independent and slow to housetrain. Off-leash recall near an interesting scent is unreliable for life; the nose overrides training. It needs a securely fenced yard (it can climb and dig) and 60-90 minutes of real exercise daily, ideally including swimming. Who the Otterhound is right for: an experienced, active owner with a fenced rural or suburban property, tolerance for noise, mess (the coat traps water and mud, and they drool), and the patience to special-source a puppy from a tiny gene pool — often a multi-year wait. Who it is wrong for: apartment dwellers, first-time owners, anyone wanting a biddable off-leash dog, the house-proud, or anyone expecting a quiet dog. The Otterhound rewards the right home enormously and frustrates the wrong one daily — be honest about which you are before you join a waitlist.
Life Span
10–13 years
Weight
29.5–52.2 kg
Height
58.4–68.6 cm
moderate
Exercise
moderate
Grooming
moderate
Shedding
Yes
Good with Kids
Yes
Good with Pets
Friendly
Apartment
The Otterhound was developed in medieval England specifically to hunt otters, which in earlier centuries were considered pests that depleted fish stocks in rivers used for food. Packs of Otterhounds, worked by huntsmen on foot, would follow an otter's underwater scent trail along riverbanks — a task demanding a weatherproof coat, webbed feet, swimming stamina, and an exceptional nose. The breed is old, with references to otter-hunting hounds goin…
Otterhound dog breed portrait
The Otterhound belongs to the Hound Group.
The average lifespan of a Otterhound is 10 to 13 years.
Otterhound dogs are valued for their even-tempered, amiable, boisterous nature.
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Otterhound care is about coat management, joint protection, and bloat awareness — get those three right and the rest is straightforward. Coat: brush the rough double coat thoroughly 1-2 times a week (20-30 minutes); it mats behind the ears, in the beard, and on the legs, and it traps water, mud, and odor. Do not shave it — the coat is functional weatherproofing. Bathe every 2-3 months or when it genuinely smells; over-bathing strips the protective oils. Budget for a wet, muddy beard that drips across your floor after every drink. Exercise: 60-90 minutes daily of real activity — long walks, hikes, and swimming, which this breed loves and which is the lowest-impact way to burn its stamina. A bored, under-exercised Otterhound digs, bays, and becomes destructive. Always exercise on-lead or in secured space; the scent drive defeats recall. Weight: this is your single biggest health lever. A 70-100+ lb frame plus excess weight accelerates hip arthritis. Feed two measured meals, keep ribs easily felt, and weigh monthly. Bloat: deep-chested giant — feed two smaller meals, not one large; avoid vigorous exercise for an hour around meals; consider discussing a preventive gastropexy with your vet. Decision rule: unproductive retching, a swelling/tight belly, drooling, and restlessness is a life-threatening GDV emergency — go to an emergency vet immediately, do not wait until morning. For straining to swim or sudden hind-end stiffness in an older dog, book a non-urgent orthopedic check within the week.
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How Much Does a Otterhound Cost?
Purchase price, monthly costs, and lifetime expenses
Otterhound Care Guide
## Otterhound Care Overview This Otterhound care guide gives owners a practical plan for daily...
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