Otterhound
Otterhounds
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| Origin | United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Traits | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Male | 115 pounds (52 kg) | |
| Female | 80 pounds (36 kg) | ||
| Height | Male | 69 cm (27 in) | |
| Female | 61 cm (24 in) | ||
| Coat | Double, with a soft undercoat and longer harsher outer coat. Both coats are slightly oily. | ||
| Color | Whole coloured, grizzle, sandy, red, wheaten, blue; in combination with slight white markings on extremities. White in combination with slight lemon, blue or badger pied markings. Black and tan, blue and tan, black and cream, occasional liver, tan and liver, tan and white. | ||
| Litter size | 2–14 puppies | ||
| Life span | 10-13 years | ||
| Classification / standards | |||
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| FCI | Group 6, Section 1.1 Scenthounds: Large #294 | standard | |
| AKC | Hound | standard | |
| ANKC | Group 4 (Hounds) | standard | |
| CKC | Group 2 - Hounds | standard | |
| KC (UK) | Hound | standard | |
| NZKC | Hounds | standard | |
| UKC | Scenthound | standard | |
The Otterhound is an old British dog breed. The origins are not known. It is a scent hound and is currently recognised by the Kennel Club as a Vulnerable Native Breed with around 600 animals worldwide.
The first recorded Otterhounds known to resemble the current breed are in the North-West of England in the first half of the 19th century - for example, the Hawkstone Otter Hunt and Squire Lomax's Otterhounds. In the second half of the 19th century, French Griffons were outcrossed, including one-eighth Wolf cross/Griffon Vendeen from the Comte de Canteleu in Normandy. In the early 20th century the Griffon Nivernais was crossed into the breed, and one particular dog, Boatman, a Grand Griffon Vendeen/Bloodhound cross became an ancestor for several kennels.
The Otterhound is a large, rough-coated hound with an imposing head. Originally bred for hunting, it has great strength and a strong body with long striding steps. This makes it able to perform prolonged hard work. The Otterhound hunts its quarry both on land and in water and it has a combination of characteristics unique among hounds; most notably an oily, rough, double coat and substantial webbed feet. They have a nose that can track in the mud and water for over 72 hours
Otterhounds generally weigh between 80 and 115 pounds (36 and 52 kg). They have extremely sensitive noses which make them inquisitive and perseverant in investigating scents. Consequently, they need particular supervision when outdoors. They are friendly dogs with a unique bass voice which they use frequently.
Otter hunting dates back to the early medieval period, with references it is found as early as 1360. The Otterhound, however, can only be traced back as a distinct breed as far as the early 1800s.
The otter is one of the largest and most intelligent carnivorous mammals in Europe. To be equal to the otter, an Otterhound was said to need "a Bulldog's courage, a Newfoundland's strength in water, a Pointer's nose, a Retriever's sagacity, the stamina of a Foxhound, the patience of a Beagle, and the intelligence of a Collie".
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Wikipedia