Archive-name: dogs-faq/breeds/otterhounds
Posting-frequency: 30 days
URL: http://www2.csn.org/~klamb/
Last-modified: 02 May 1996

=======
There are nearly 90 FAQ's available for this group.  For a complete
listing of these, get the "Complete List of RPD FAQs".  This article
is posted bimonthly in rec.pets.dogs, and is available via anonymous ftp
to rtfm.mit.edu under pub/usenet/news.answers/dogs-faq/faq-list, via
the Web at http://www.zmall.com/pet_talk/dog-faqs/lists/faq-list.html, or via
email by sending your message to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with
send usenet/news.answers/dogs-faq/faq-list
in the body of the message.

This article is Copyright (c) 1995 by the Author(s) listed below. 
It may be freely distributed on the Internet in its entirety without
alteration provided that this copyright notice is not removed.  
It may NOT reside at another website (use links, please) other
than the URL listed above without the permission of the Author(s).  
This article may not be sold for profit nor incorporated in other 
documents without he Author(s)'s permission and is provided "as is" 
without express or implied warranty.
==========


                              Otterhounds

Author
  
   Kiki Lamb, klamb@csn.org
   Copyright 1996, all rights reserved. 
   You may downlaod and print a copy for your personal use, all other
   distribution must be with the written permission of the author.
    
     _________________________________________________________________
   
     * Otterhounds as Pets
     * History of the Otterhound
     * Physical Description
     * Photo Album
     * Temperament
     * Health
     * Miscellaneous
     * Feeding and Exercise
     * Training and Activities
     * What's Special About Otterhounds
     * Finding an Otterhound
     * For More Information...
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
  OTTERHOUNDS AS PETS
  
          Otterhounds make great pets, if -
   
          - you have a sense of humor (and a fair amount of patience).
          - you aren't obsessed with keeping your house/clothes spotless.
          - you have a fenced yard.
          - you just love that hound voice (and so do your neighbors!).
          - you are looking for a pet and watchdog - but NOT a guard dog.
          
     _________________________________________________________________
   
  HISTORY OF THE OTTERHOUND
   
   The Otterhound is an old British breed, with references dating back to
   the 12th century. They were used in large packs to hunt river otter.
   King John of England hunted otter with large, shaggy hounds, as did
   Queen Elizabeth I. The modern Otterhound has Bloodhound in his
   background, and is in turn one of the ancestors of the Airedale
   Terrier. The first Otterhounds were brought to the US very early in
   the 20th century, with official AKC recognition in 1907. There are
   fewer than 1000 Otterhounds world wide, with the largest numbers in
   the UK and US, and smaller populations in the rest of Europe, Canada
   and Australia.
   
  PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
  
   For details please refer to the complete AKC breed standard.
   
   The Otterhound is a large, strong breed (with a considerable size
   range within the breed). Males are generally in the 95 to 115 pound
   range and 26-27 inches at the shoulder, with females 65 to 100 pounds
   and 24-26 inches at the shoulder. The length of the outer coat varies
   from 2 to 6 inches, with a woolly undercoat. Otterhounds come in
   several different color combinations, with the most common being some
   variation on black and tan grizzle.
     _________________________________________________________________
   
  TEMPERAMENT
   
   The Otterhound standard says that the breed is "amiable, boisterous
   and even tempered". Basically these are big friendly dogs, but with a
   mind of their own. Otterhounds are affectionate, but don't demand
   attention all the time. They are generally good with other dogs and
   with other animals if they are raised with them or introduced to them
   carefully. Many Otterhound owners also have cats, and contrary to what
   some sources may lead you to believe, they get along well; these
   hounds are quite willing to include most two and four legged members
   of the household in their notion of their "pack". Otterhounds are good
   with kids, too, but a young Otterhound is big and sort of klutzy and
   may not be the best companion for a wobbly toddler or a frail elderly
   person.
   
  HEALTH
   
   Otterhounds are subject to hip dysplasia and bloat. There have also
   been a few records of Otterhounds with bleeding disorders. For a large
   dog breed, Otterhounds have a relatively long life span of 10 to 13
   years. This breed is usually quite slow to mature, both physically and
   mentally.
   
  MISCELLANEOUS
   
   Though some Otterhounds do have a fair amount of coat they do not shed
   a great deal. Expect to brush an OH on a weekly basis to keep the coat
   from matting. Otterhounds have big hairy feet that are attracted to
   mud. Most OHs aren't slobbery dogs, but they've got beards and long
   hairy ears that get into their water bowls, food dishes, etc., and
   then act as transport mechanisms to spread water, food, etc. around.
   Though an Otterhound's undercoat should be somewhat oily, they don't
   seem to develop the strong "doggy" odor that some oily coated dogs do.
   Unless you are actively showing the dog, frequent baths should not be
   necessary.
   
   Otterhounds have a deep bay, a lovely melodious sound, which carries
   amazingly well. (A hound voice is probably an acquired taste.) Some
   OHs are fairly quiet, and some seem to like the sound of their own
   voice. Many of them seem to be "mutterers"; they grunt, groan, sigh,
   etc.
   
   As a large dog with an impressively deep voice, an Otterhound can make
   a good watch dog, but their friendly nature makes them poor candidates
   as guard dogs. They'll "woof" or bay at an unusual noise, but you'd
   have a hard time training them for "attack" work.
   
   Otterhounds can be very bright dogs - at least when it comes to
   getting something they want. If it's food, they WILL smell it, and
   where there's a will... There are reliable reports of Otterhounds who
   learn to open the back door, the gate to the yard, and the
   refrigerator.
   
  FOOD AND EXERCISE
  
   What you feed an Otterhound depends on the dog and what you are doing
   with it. There are two things to consider. An Otterhound is large dog
   and will be more expensive to feed than a smaller dog. They are prone
   to bloat - which makes multiple smaller meals a day preferable to one
   large meal. It's also a bad idea to feed the dog immediately before or
   after vigorous exercise.
   
   Otterhounds need and want a fair amount of exercise, particularly when
   young, so though you don't need a huge yard, you do need a fenced area
   for them, and if it isn't big, you'd better like long walks or dog
   jogging. Otterhounds are not good candidates for walking off leash.
   Like many scent hounds, the desire to follow a scent may overcome the
   desire to obey their owner, with potentially fatal consequences.
   
  TRAINING AND ACTIVITIES
  
   Training OHs takes some patience, as they are stubborn - but generally
   good humored about it - "Aw, Mom, let's do it THIS way!". Their
   considerable size makes training something you DO NOT want to ignore.
   Don't let that wistful, sad looking puppy con you in to not training
   it; you'll regret it when the pup is your size and twice as strong.
   Many Otterhounds seem to be rather "soft" dogs, and just don't
   understand harsh corrections. Like many of the hounds, OHs are not
   natural retrievers - so if you really want a great "Frisbee" dog, look
   elsewhere!
   
   Otterhounds compete successfully in obedience, some take on agility,
   and they excel as tracking dogs. These silly looking sweethearts can
   also be great therapy dogs.
   
  WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT OTTERHOUNDS
   
   So what is the special attraction of Otterhounds? For many, it's the
   great personality. You need a sense of humor to live with an
   Otterhound, but you'll be living with a dog that has a pronounced
   sense of humor of its own. These dogs can look noble, even mournful,
   but along the lines of the "class clown" trying VERY HARD to be good.
   The standard says an Otterhound head shows great dignity; it doesn't
   point out that looks can be wildly deceiving! Think of the teacher or
   grandparent who you loved, very dignified in appearance, who had the
   heart of a joyful child, and you've glimpsed the Otterhound
   personality. To assess whether you could live happily with an
   Otterhound, ask yourself if you can love and perhaps admire an
   independent dog who will love you, but will NOT worship the ground you
   walk on.
   
  FINDING AN OTTERHOUND
  
   If you decide that an Otterhound is really the dog for you, finding
   one can prove to be quite challenging, There are generally 4 to 7
   litters born a year in the U.S. Occasionally older OHs need new homes.
   The Otterhound Club of America can refer you to a breeder or to the
   OHCA rescue coordinator.
     _________________________________________________________________
   
  FOR MORE INFORMATION...
     * Other Otterhound Web Sites
     * On-line Dog "Frequently Asked Questions"
     * Dog Owner's Guide Home Page
     * How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend --The Monks of New Skete, Little,
       Brown, and Company
     * How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With --Rutherford and Neil,
       Alpine Publications
     * Mother Knows Best: the natural way to train your dog --Carol Lea
       Benjamin, Howell Book House
     * Videotape, The Otterhound --available from the American Kennel
       Club, 51 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010
     * Videotape, The Hunt Video -- available from the Otterhound Club of
       America
       
     _________________________________________________________________
   
    Otterhound FAQ 
    Kiki Lamb, klamb@csn.org
