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T. Wishful

SO you want to buy an otterhound

Important information for prospective new owners.

So, you would like to buy an Otterhound puppy? The first essential requirement for a prospective Otterhound purchaser is a considerable amount of patience!!!

In view of their rarity, e.g. generally only 25-30 Otterhound puppies are born in the UK each year, it is unlikely that you will able to buy a puppy "off the peg". Those responsible breeders in the UK will want to ensure that a prospective purchaser has all the relevant information about the breed including health problems, character, environmental requirements etc. Be prepared for this, it is not like buying a Labrador! Be wary of any breeder who doesn't want to impart to all the pro's and con's of owning ANY BREED, let alone a minority breed like Otterhounds.

If there aren't any puppies in the UK when you start your search do be prepared to wait, find a breeder that you have confidence in and do whatever they require in the way of preparation. Having all the relevant information and as much understanding of breed as you can before your puppy arrives will give you and the puppy the very best start in life. So be patient, if an Otterhound is the right breed for you, they are WORTH WAITING FOR!!!!!

My primary aim when I breed a litter is to produce suitable offspring to ensure the continuation of the breed, but in ANY litter of ANY breed only a small number of the resulting puppies will be suitable for this purpose. Most of the puppies in a litter will be looking for loving family pet homes, many of whom come along to the Game Fairs we attend and help promote the breed and all are welcome at the social walks I organise, (all Otterhounds are welcome at the social walks, they are not exclusive to Teckelgarth Hounds). One or two in a litter might be of good enough appearance to be part of our breeding program, and again one or two may be good enough to show. A prospective buyer needs to consider what kind of owner they want to be, whether you solely want a pet, or whether you want your Otterhound to be part of the breeding program and make a contribution to the breed in the future, or if you want to show as well, which is an expensive and time consuming hobby.

There is an excellent book written by Julitte Cunliffe called The Otterhound, you can usually find it on Amazon or eBay. It is a very good starting point for prospective purchasers, and no, I don't get any commission! Get a copy, it's a good starting point.

So when you start your search for an Otterhound puppy, or young hound, do be patient, Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither are Otterhound puppies!

From time to time I have older puppies or young hounds looking for homes. They can be youngsters who I have kept to see if they are good enough for the show ring, but for one reason or another I decide not to show them. occassionally there are older hounds who have completed their show career and are looking for armchair retirement homes, much better for them to live the rest of their lives in a one to one relationship or with a family. Occassionally I have hounds come back to me that need new homes, this can happen for all kinds of reasons, divorce, change of circumstances, bereavement. If you are willing to consider an older puppy or hound it's always worth asking if there is anything available. At present I have three hounds looking for new homes that fall into the above categories. Want to know more? Please contact me via the contact form or give me a call.