The Otterhound originated in England and have a blood lineage of the Airedale Terrier, Bloodhound, and Griffon. Just as their name suggests, the Otterhound was used to hunt otter which ultimately would aide fisherman because otters would eat the trout the fishermen would try to catch.

This breed was so efficient that in the late 1970’s the otter became a protected species! This breed hunts by smell and their scent recognition is so acute that they can smell an otter that swam in the water a day before. Swimming is a great passion of the Otterhound as cold water does not effect this dogs drive to work.

Otters are not the only prey of the Otterhound, bear, mink and raccoon were also on that list. This dog is a very rare breed and experts say that they are more so endangered then the giant Panda! Although this dog is an excellent hunter and working dog, they make very good family pets as well. They love children and get along quite well with other dogs and smaller family pets, such as cats.

The Otterhound is a very fluffy dog with a shaggy coat. They have a broad head and a sturdy neck. This breed has a large nose which is useful as it needs sensitive scent glands to sniff out their slippery prey. The Otterhounds body is large and athletic with their tail being straight and long as this aids in swimming because it acts as a rudder. The most important feature of this breed is their fur. It is notoriously known for having a significant amount of oil within it. This is perfect for the Otterhound as they need to swim to catch their prey and these oils keep their skin hydrated.

Breed Group

Hound

Size

Males: 24-26 inches high

Females: 24-26 inches high

Weight

Males: 66-115 lbs

Females: 66-115 lbs

Color(s)

The Otterhound can come in any colours that are accepted in the Hound Group. Most commonly they are a wheat colour with black accents around their face.

Coat

This breeds coat has a double layer to protect them from the wet and cold conditions that they work in. The top coat is hard and has a rough texture, while the under coat is softer and thicker making them well insulated for the freezing water they hunt in. The Otterhounds coat will have to be brushed a few times per week as it may begin to mat if not groomed on a regular basis.

Life Expectancy

About 10 – 12 years.

Personality

The Otterhound is a happy and affectionate breed that gets along with everyone. They will make great family pets as they love children and other dogs which is commendable considering they were not bred originally as a companion dog but more a working dog. Smaller family pets such as cats, hamsters, mice, guinea pigs, etc. will need to be monitored around this breed as they have a high prey drive and might chase them thinking that they are prey.

This breed is quite independent and bright but when it comes to training, they can be a bit absent minded as their breed purpose allowed them freedom to hunt rather than working as a team with their owner.

This dog is easy going and enjoys spending quality time with their owners. They are not a rambunctious breed that will need constant supervision but more of a laid back dog. Whenever possible the Otterhound will take it upon himself to explore new territory. This is a very common characteristic of any type of hound but owners should be cautioned to not let them wander too far as they might not be so quick to come back.

Care

This breed has a long coat and will need regular brushing about 2-3 times per week. Their coat will tangle easily so grooming is essential. Bathing should not be done often because it will strip the natural oils in their skin which lubricates their coat so it does not become dry. This breed is prone to hip dysplasia, bloat, and hemophilia. They are generally a healthy breed as only some lines will be more prone to hip dysplasia so when obtaining a puppy, the parents should have their hips OFA checked.

Training

The Otterhound is not known for its attentive behavior during training so they will need a very patient owner. Training of this breed will need to be firm but gentle as these dogs want to please, they just naturally have their minds elsewhere. They are also known for being stubborn so consistency is key during obedience lessons. Due to their breed function, the Otterhound was not bred to be a companion and training will be a bit difficult as they were meant to sniff out and hunt at their own pace.

Activity

The Otterhound will need daily long walks or trips to an off-leash dog park so they can run around in a fenced in area. They love to swim which is perfect because it provides exercise and would be entertaining for this breed. It is suggested that when walking, to always have them on leash because as hounds they have a tendency to follow their nose if they find an interesting scent and may not respond when called. The Otterhound would do well in a household environment because they need as much space as possible to roam around in. A backyard would be preferable so they have outdoor space as well.

There are a few theories concerning the origin of the Old English Sheepdog.

One of them is that the breed comes from the Barbone and the Deerhound. Another one states that it comes from the Briard and the Bergamasco, and the third one says that the Old English Sheepdog is a descendant from a Russian dog called Owtchar, which was brought from the Baltic to the United Kingdom on ships.

The last theory is that the breed is a mix of breeds like the Bearded Collie and some other dogs brought from Russia, France, or the Baltics. The Old English Sheepdog was first developed in West England by farmers that needed herders for their sheep.

Breed Group

Working

Size

Male: 24-26 inches
Female: 22-24 inches

Weight

Male: 60-75 lbs
Female: 50-65 lbs

Color(s)

The Old English Sheepdog can come in any shade of gray, blue or grizzle with or without white markings.

Coat

The Old English Sheepdog’s coat is profuse, with a hard texture, not straight, but shaggy. The undercoat is thick and waterproof. The ears are moderately coated while the rest of the body is well coated.

Life Expectancy

About 12 – 13 years.

Personality

The Old English Sheepdog is extremely gentle and affectionate. Friendly, kind, loving and lovable, it’s an excellent family dog that loves children. Loyal, this dog is entirely devoted to its family and will always be ready to protect it.

It’s a calm and patient breed that will tend to adopt smaller family pets or little children. Because of its high herding instinct, it may try to herd family members or other pets.

The Old English Sheepdog is intelligent and will easily adapt to new situations. It will enjoy having other pet’s company.

Care

This breed is generally very healthy, however, it is sometimes prone to hip dysplasia, cataracts and IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia). Due to its extremely thick coat, it is not a dog made for hot climates.

The coat of the Old English Sheepdog needs constant care. At least three times a week, it needs to be brushed and combed through the thick undercoat. If not, the undercoat may become matted and the dog can have skin problems or parasites. The Tangles have to be clipped carefully to not hurt the dog. It’s preferable to see a professional trimmer every two months. With blunt-nosed scissors, trim around the eyes and rear-end. This breed sheds heavily.

Training

The Old English Sheepdog is very intelligent and might want to think on his own more than to listen its owner that’s why the dog can be quite stubborn and will need to be trained early to learn good manners. This breed needs firm training because it tends to anticipate orders and do them the way they want. The best way to train them is by motivating them.

Activity

The Old English Sheepdog needs a lot of regular exercise and a safe place to run off the leash.