Do you own a dog at home? What are their characteristics? Do you know everything about the otterhound wire-haired dog breeds?
Ideally, most people are fond of dogs. Either what type of breed they are, they are loved by many, even the kids. Dogs become your best friend and even your protector in times when they sense that you are at risk or in trouble. They also become your companion everywhere you go. They can also be a great therapist to people having mental and physical health problems. Having them in your life reduces pain, stress, and anxiety.
Furthermore, dogs will give you happiness and unconditional love. Dogs can also be our dog guards. That depends on what type of breed and characteristics and traits they have. Some breeds are rare and uncommon to other people, but once you have the chance to take care of them, you will be amazed at their characteristics and traits. One of these rare breeds is the Otterhound; they are an old breed developed in England.
Only 350-500 of this breed live in the United States and Canada; they are below 1000 worldwide, so this breed is rare; this is also classified as an endangered breed. The breed was developed in medieval England for otter hunting, and they are good in land and water hunting.
This breed is also an expert swimmer and energetic. Despite this, Otterhounds are a perfect dog for a family because they have a soft, kind, friendly, fun-loving characteristics that many children would love. If you want to know and discover more about how unique this breed is, below are some of the lists of things you need to know about Otter Wired Head Dog Breeds.
Things You Need To Know About Otterhound Wire Haired Dog Breeds
#1 Size
One of the characters is of Otterhound wire haired dog breeds is they have a big size. The male otterhound dog is approximately 27 inches tall, and his weight is about 115 pounds. In contrast, the female dog is roughly 24 inches tall and weighs about 80 pounds.
Because of their big sizes, otterhound dogs were used for otter hunting inland and on the water in medieval England. But this activity does not exist anymore and has become illegal in that country. Otterhounds are expert swimmers; they have a broad chest and powerful shoulders that make them strong and not tire when swimming all day long.
#2 Health
Just like other breeds, Otterhound wire-haired dog breeds are also prone to some health issues. Most Otterhound dogs are generally healthy.
Once you buy a puppy from a dog breeder, make sure that they can show you a health certificate. That is to make sure that the puppy is healthy and safe from any health issues and other medical conditions. There are common diseases that are prone to Otterhounds. With this, you need to consider looking for a health certificate for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, dog bloat, hypothyroidism, and other eye conditions. Having those health certificates ensures that your dog is healthy and there is nothing to worry about.
#3 About The Feeding
There are advisable daily amounts of food you need to feed the Otterhound wire-haired dog breed. That will also apply to other types of dog breeds. However, Otterhounds are not like other types of breed, that you can feed and give a treat anytime, whenever your puppies have achieved something good. While in Otterhounds, you need to limit giving them a treat, instead encourage them to do some dog activities.
You also need to limit the food and feed them at least 3-4.5 cups of dry, healthy foods that are good for twice a day. It would be best to keep your dog in shape to prevent them from becoming overweight, which can cause other health conditions. There are ways to make sure that your dog is fit and not overweight by doing an eye test and hand test. Somehow dogs are just like humans. They also need to feed the right amount of food depending on its size, age, and build metabolism. Dogs also need healthy and nutritious foods to keep them nourished and away from disease.
#4 Taking Care of Otterhounds
Taking care of Otterhounds needs a larger environment. Knowing that Otterhound wire-haired dog breeds are large size dogs. That means when you take care of this type of breed, you have a spacious area in your house or a good-sized backyard. If you are living in a condo or apartment, then taking care of Otterhounds is not possible. Unlike other types of breeds that are small in size, you can live with them in a house with a small space. The fact that this dog wants to engage in a lot of activities.
You can take him in doing your exercise through walking and jogging. Otterhounds are also expert swimmers; they can swim all day without getting tired. Otterhounds have an independent nature, so they can sleep alone without getting near you. You can also provide them a shelter outside your house. However, if they are left alone, there is a tendency that your dog will become bored. Through this, it may be the reason for some behavioral changes.
They will start barking, digging, and trying to escape. It would be best to socialize your Otterhound dog to other types of dogs, other people, and new environments. With this, you can train them not to be aggressive in front of others unknown to them despite their friendly behavior. Another thing is when you take them to other places, don’t untie them; Otterhounds have a great sense of smell. For instance, if you take them to different places and there is a scent that is interesting to them, there is a possibility that they will take off and follow that scent.
#5 Otterhound Personality
This type of breed has a friendly personality, despite being a large dog. Otterhounds have a soft character. Otterhounds have a very affectionate, kind, sweet, fun-loving, independent nature, and they are also known as the playful clown. When you are away from home and go to work or go outside for a while, they take time to greet you once you come back. Otterhounds have an independent personality, so don’t expect them to follow you to every room and corner of your home to beg for some attention.
Because they have an independent personality, this has become a challenging part of training them. Training them on some basic commands like sit, down, come, and stay is very important. That helps them also not to be aggressive when they see new dogs, people, and new environments. However, it would be best to convince them that they must do what you ask them to do.
With this, you need to be more patient and skilled when training them. So the best time to teach them is as young as you can. However, otterhound dogs may seem energetic and loud barkers; it does not mean they can be your guard dog. They are not fit to be guard dogs because of their friendly personality towards other dogs and other people.
#6 Otterhounds To Children And Other Pets
Otterhounds are naturally a large breed. They are cheerful, friendly, and fun-loving dogs that would probably be loved by many and even the kids. But because of their size and energetic characteristics, it is advised that when small children play with Otterhounds pets, their parents should supervise them. Otterhounds love playing with the kids; however, some instances might cause the kid a sudden incident. For example, if your kid is holding food while playing with an otterhound.
Because of their incredible sense of smell, there is a tendency to seize the child’s food. That might be the reason that they can hurt children unintentionally.
#7 Physical Features
Otterhounds have a thick shaggy coat, so they often have a messy look. They have a rough double coat that is waterproof and weather resistant. Also, they have big webbed feet, a broad chest, and powerful shoulders. They also come in different colors, but most Otterhounds have black and tan grizzle that turns a lighter color when they get old.
Their head appears to be large and long; they also have folded and long ears. This breed is an extreme swimmer because of their big Webbed feet; they can swim all the time without feeling overly tired. Their large black nose is extremely sensitive to smell. Because of this, Otterhounds were used for hunting otters on land and water. When you take care of this dog in your home, store food in storage space and lock it tightly. With this, you ensure that they can’t open the food storage and get some food.
Other things you need to know about this Otterhound wire-haired dog breeds
1. Otterhounds Enjoy Foods
Because of having an extreme sensitivity to smell, otterhounds love and enjoy food. So there is a possibility that once they smell something great with their instinct, they will try and find that food to eat.
They learn to open the kitchen drawers, cabinets, and even the refrigerator to find and steal food. So it is better if you have Otterhounds in your home to make sure to lock all the drawers and cabinets for the safety of your food.
2. They Need Exercise
Otterhounds need daily exercise; this type of breed is popular for being strong and energetic. He has a lot of stamina and energy. You can always take them when you go out for a jog. A long jog that takes three to four miles is just like a walk for otterhounds. You can also take them for walking in a busy park or take them swimming as long as they do exercise every day. If the otterhounds are not getting enough exercise, this makes them bored.
For instance, you left your Otterhounds alone in your backyard for an extended period. There are possibilities that they will find other ways to entertain themselves. Hence, their way of entertaining themselves is not a good way. Such as nonstop barking, digging the soil, destroying your plant garden, and even trying to escape.
So to prevent this from happening, always make sure that you give enough exercise to your dog, even at home. Despite this breed having an independent behavior, at least give them enough attention. They are not a clingy breed, but they also want to be near their family and pet owner.
3. Big Dog, Bigger Expenses
The downside of having a large dog is you can also have a more considerable expense. Having a large dog can also cost you more money than having a regular or small breed in terms of buying them some essential things like foods and vitamins, shampoo, and shelter. You can also spend a lot of money on their grooming and going to the veterinarian for checkups. The good thing about this breed is that they are generally healthy, so it’s a lot less money if they are healthy throughout.
Also, if you want to ensure that your puppy is healthy, make sure to buy the puppy from a responsible breeder. And more critical if the breeder can show you a health certificate that will certify that the puppy you are buying has undergone some tests and health checks.
If you want to know more about the otterhound breed, check out this article.
