Otterhound

The Otterhound is a large, powerful dog. They can be characterized by their shaggy double coat, their long folded ears, and their distinctive deep-toned bark. This breed can weigh up to an astonishing 125 pounds.

The Otterhound has been around for over 500 years, however, there are only an estimated 1000 of them worldwide. This rare breed was initially used in England for hunting otters, hence their name. There was an ongoing problem in England where the otters were demolishing the fish population, the Otterhound was the solution. These dogs are believed to have descended from the Bloodhound, meaning that they have a remarkable sense of smell. This breed also has webbed feet, which assisted them in their hunt in water.

The Otterhound was so talented at what they did that in 1982 otters became a protected species in England and the practice of hunting them became illegal. These dogs still retain their hunting characteristics today which include a strong prey drive, a lot of energy, and an almost unbelievable level of stamina. If you want to make one of these pups your own, make sure that you can give them the abundance of exercise that they require.

This breed may be strong and intimidating on the outside, but they are softies on the inside. They are very playful and will often act as the ‘class clown’. They love being with their family and especially enjoy playing with children. This breed is an amazing family dog, however, they are simply not easy to come by. If you are interested in this dog breed, expect a long and difficult process for acquiring one of them!

Instagram Photo Permission: @norbertotterhound