Otterhounds are big canines that initially originated in England to hunt otters in streams and rivers. The Otterhound has a vibrant, loud attitude out of the water, making it an ideal choice for families seeking a fun canine companion.
The Otterhound is characterized as a “large affectionate dog.” Though friendly and laidback, this rough dog belongs in the country with an adventurous owner who can provide him with the exercise he craves.
The most common question from owners is, “Does the Otterhound shed?” If so, how much is it? This post will discuss the specifics of this dog breed’s shed and other helpful facts for rearing your otterhound.
Otterhound’s Shedding
The Otterhound will shed, and They shed with the seasons since they are a double-coated breed. The hound’s insulating and water-resistant undercoat keeps it warm in the fall and winter, but the dog will prefer to wear something lighter when summer arrives.
The outer layer of the hound’s coat is also not light by default. Instead, it has a thick coat that gives it a wonderfully bedraggled appearance. Although the outer coat is smooth, it may grow pretty lengthy, reaching up to six inches in length. In the heat of spring and summer, their fur must be shed, and therefore the Otterhound sheds.
The Otterhound sheds fur at a typical pace outside of seasonal shedding patterns, much like other dogs. This hair turnover isn’t huge, but it happens all year round, regardless of the season.
Prepare those shedding items since your home will be covered with fur, especially during the summer. Still, it will be worth it because adorable otterhounds will compensate with their lovable personality.
Otterhound Qualities
If you are thinking about acquiring an Otterhound, there are a few things you should know and consider to understand how to care for them properly.
🟢Getting Enough Exercise
An Otterhound grows restless and bored if they do not have frequent outlets for their energy, which they generally express through baying and destructive chewing. These hounds were never intended to be kept as pets. In a typical home, their working activities might be a nuisance.
🟢Stubbornness
Otterhounds, despite their excellent disposition, have their minds. Therefore, you must demonstrate to them that you mean what you say by being consistent.
🟢Noise
They should never be left unattended in your yard. Their deep voice is booming and travels a long distance.
🟢Shaggy Dog Syndrome
The Otterhound, like other hairy dogs, is a slob. Leaves, dirt, snow, feces, and other detritus adhere to his rough coat and wind up all over your home. When they drink, their beard collects water, causing it to drip on your flooring as they walk away. When they eat, their beard absorbs the food, so when they sniff your face or push their head on your thigh, you get dirty as well.
🟢Chasing Instincts
Although otterhounds are seldom trained for hunting, specific individuals retain strong tendencies to chase and catch fleeing animals, including cats.
🟢Slow Housebreaking
These hounds, like other scenthound breeds, are generally challenging to grasp the concept of housebreaking. Therefore, several months of continuous crate training are to be expected.
🟢Grooming and Shedding
Otterhound becomes a matted mess if not brushed and combed regularly. If you cannot commit to brushing, you must commit to frequent cutting to keep the coat short and clean. Be mindful that Otterhounds shed; however, part of the hair gets trapped in their long, disheveled coat rather than landing up on the floor.
Facts About the Otterhound You Probably Didn’t Know
The shaggy coat and overall look of the Otterhound make it one of the fascinating canines to watch frolic around outside on a rainy day. But several additional characteristics distinguish the Otterhound, many of which most people are entirely ignorant of the breed.
❕On the Verge of Extinction
The Otterhound is close to or at the top of most lists of dog breeds endangered with extinction. There are said to be 43 couples left to carry on the lineage. On the one hand, this is a golden chance for breeders who want to conserve the breed and make a lot of money. And it appears that demand has not kept up with supply, and the breed is dying of what can only be characterized as apathy.
❕Life Expectancy is Around 12 Years
In general, this is not a significant point when listing the characteristics of a dog because the average life expectancy for many dogs is in the same range. However, if nothing is done to boost the breeding of the Otterhound, the species may go extinct over the next 25 years or so. There is a clear tendency toward cross-breeding designer dogs, and it appears that the Otterhound’s most delicate characteristics are not in demand.
❕Prefer Older Children
This suggests that the Otterhound is harmful or unpleasant to younger children. Still, their high activity level and natural playfulness necessitate a certain amount of energy, which will exhaust a child. They are safe and kind to everyone, but if you want a dog for your five-year-old to play with, you should search for another breed.
❕The Initial Reason for Owning one is now Either Illegal or Extinct
The Otterhound acquired its name because it was taught to seek and kill otters preying on the trout and salmon that people relied on to survive. People have discovered alternative ways to get fish since those early days, and murdering otters have become prohibited. However, while they have exceptional hunting abilities, they are a species that has outlived its usefulness.
❕Webbed Feet
Their webbed feet are one of the breed’s most unique features. They may not lick a duck’s paw, but their paws are adapted for swimming and navigating the water. Another reason dog owners may be hesitant to adopt the breed is that they like swimming as much as romping. You’ll need a specific area to house this breed.
❕Easy to Train
Since their heritage is linked to obedience to entire orders, the Otterhound may be relied on to be pretty straightforward to teach. They are a clever and obedient breed that is fast to learn orders, especially if you start teaching them when they are puppies.
❕Medium Amount of Maintenance
Their shaggy coat will need a somewhat more significant level of care because it can become matted and tangled. In such cases, the general rule is that the sooner you take preventive measures, the less trouble you will have later. They will shed during each of the four seasons, with the amount varying according to the season.
Otterhound General Health Information
👨🏻⚕️ Dental Disease
Dental disease is the most prevalent chronic issue in pets, impacting 80% of all dogs by two. Unfortunately, your Otterhound is more prone than other dogs to develop dental problems. It begins with tartar buildup on the teeth and extends to infection of the gums and tooth roots.
If you do nothing to prevent or cure dental problems, your friend will lose her teeth and risk harming her kidneys, liver, heart, and joints. Your Otterhound’s lifespan might be reduced by one to three years.
👨🏻⚕️ Obesity
Obesity may be a severe health issue for these hounds. It is a painful condition that can cause or aggravate joint pain, metabolic and digestive issues, back discomfort, and heart disease. Though it may be tempting to feed your buddy when she stares at you with those loving eyes, you can “love them to death” with leftover human food and doggy goodies.
Instead, please give them a cuddle, wash their fur or teeth, play a game with them, or go on a stroll with them
👨🏻⚕️ Parasites
Worms and pests of many types can infiltrate your Otterhound’s body, both inside and out. Fleas and ticks, as well as ear mites, can infest her skin and ears. In addition, hookworms, roundworms, heartworms, and whipworms can enter her system by various routes, including drinking polluted water, walking on contaminated soil, or being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Some parasites can be passed on to you or a family member and are a severe health risk for everyone. These parasites may cause pain, suffering, and even death in your canine companion; therefore, you must test them regularly.
👨🏻⚕️ Genetic Predispositions for Otterhounds Bloat
Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus, commonly known as GDV or Bloat, are more common in dogs with deep, narrow chests. That implies that your OH is more vulnerable than other breeds. Bloating occurs when a dog’s stomach twists on itself and fills with gas. The twisting interrupts blood flow to the stomach and, in rare cases, the spleen. If left untreated, the illness can be deadly in as little as 30 minutes.
👨🏻⚕️ Infections
They are sensitive to bacterial and viral diseases like other dogs, such as parvo, rabies, and distemper. Many of these infections may be avoided with immunization, which Doctors will prescribe depending on the diseases they encounter in Otterhound’s age and other considerations.
👨🏻⚕️ Sebaceous Cysts
A sweat gland may go wild at times. One gland will continue to expand uncontrollably until it reaches the size of a grape, at which point it will explode. It’s disgusting, but it’s typically not too painful. Unfortunately, they’re pretty frequent on a lot of these hounds. Sometimes a simple draining treatment can suffice, but more often than not, surgery will be necessary to remove the bothersome gland.
👨🏻⚕️Cataracts
In elderly Otterhounds, cataracts are a common cause of blindness. When you inspect them, watch for the lenses of their eyes to grow more opaque—that is, hazy rather than clear. Many dogs adjust well to losing their vision and function typically. Cataract removal surgery to restore vision may also be a possibility.
👨🏻⚕️ Thyroid Problems
The dogs are prone to hypothyroidism, a disease in which the body does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Dry skin and coat, hair loss, susceptibility to other skin illnesses, weight gain, fearfulness, aggressiveness, or other behavioral changes are all symptoms. To check for the disease, doctors do a blood screening test once a year..
👨🏻⚕️ Retained Testicle
Some male Otterhounds are born with a disorder in which one or both testicles do not descend into the scrotum. Instead, the testicle remains in the abdomen, leading to complications later in life, including increased cancer risk.
👨🏻⚕️ Noise Phobia
Storm, fireworks, and loud sounds are all frequent fears in dogs of all kinds. Unfortunately, fearful dogs can injure themselves, especially if they try to escape or gnaw through doors, kennels, or walls. Working with your doctor to develop an appropriate strategy for your Otterhound is a collaborative process that you will undertake.
👨🏻⚕️Kidney Disease
Glomerulonephropathy is a hereditary illness that gradually affects your Otterhound’s kidneys, eventually causing them to fail at a young age. You may detect this condition by analyzing their urine for high protein since damaged kidneys release protein.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: An Otterhound has what kind of coat?
A: Double, with a soft undercoat and a rougher, lengthier outer coat. Both coats have a little greasy sheen about them.
Q: What is the proper way to groom an Otterhound?
A: Brush the Otterhound coat with a soft slicker brush once a week, then inspect for mats with a comb.
Q: Are Otterhounds hostile?
A: They are seldom employed for hunting and are not very violent, although some individuals retain strong impulses to pursue and catch fleeing animals, including cats.
Q: Do Otterhounds enjoy swimming?
A: They were created to be the ideal aquatic dog. They have a double-thick, waterproof coat and webbed feet, making them look more like a duck than a dog.
Q: Is it possible to keep an Otterhound as a pet?
A: The hounds may be a fun and energetic companion for the appropriate household, but they are huge and loud, presenting issues with younger children or elderly family members.
Q: What breed of dog is similar to an Otterhound?
A: Take, for example, Labradoodles and Goldendoodles, which, like Otterhounds, are giant, hairy dogs with “goofy” expressions that entice owners.
Final Thoughts
This hound is a steadily decreasing breed that fell out of favor once otter hunting was made illegal. However, because of their double coat, the few hounds that exist are significant shedders.
Are you planning to get yourself an Otterhound? Here is a guide to owning this lovable breed. For more information about the breed, check over here.
If you don’t mind the other fuzz, the Otterhound is a loving, playful, quirky dog that has won many people’s hearts.
