Ch. T. Ptolomy

"Large, straight limbed and sound, rough-coated with majestic head, strong body and loose, long striding action. Rough double coat and large feet essential. Free moving."
Otterhound Breed Standard

The Otterhound

One of the world’s most vulnerable breeds, the Otterhound, dates back to the early Middle Ages - although they may not always have looked as they do today. As their name suggests their original purpose was to hunt otters.  Whilst otter numbers today are not at pest levels, in the Middle Ages their numbers were much greater and freshwater fish such as trout and salmon were a much more important part of the diet for the landed gentry and monasteries. It is believed that its origins were found in the St. Hubert Hound crossed with the Barbet and Old English Fox Hounds. Over the centuries no doubt their appearance may have changed as at that time the Kennel Club did not exist. Packs of hounds were in private ownership right up until 1977 in England and 1984 in Scotland, allowing ‘Masters of Otterhounds’ to design hounds which best suited their particular needs. At times breeds such as Dumfriesshire fox hounds, Griffon Nivernais, Welsh hounds and Bloodhounds have all been used in the mix. This variation in type can still be seen to this day and I feel is something that should be very much valued.

Hounds capable of hunting a fierce quarry like otters needed to have great stamina and strength.  They could be working in fast flowing cold rivers with steep banks and thick undergrowth. They were designed to wade more than swim as swimming is much more tiring. Most Otterhounds will only swim if it’s absolutely necessary; in fact most Otterhounds will only do most things if absolutely necessary! 

In order to hunt such a quarry Otterhounds needed to be large, strong limbed with a waterproof coat and built much more for stamina than great speed. But don’t be fooled by their plodding appearance; they can move very quickly if they have good reason to. Being a large breed has meant that they are perceived as needing large amounts of space and attention when this is not the case. Many Otterhounds live very happy lives in suburbia where there is just a securely fenced, but average, garden and preferably their own sofa!