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Non-sporting Breeds
Otterhound
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Pedigree Points
Recognized:
Height:
Weight:
Coat:
Color:
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| The big, strongly built British Otterhound is believed
to trace back to the Griffon Vendeen and the now
extinct rough-coated Griffon de Bresse. According
to the Otterhound Club, these hounds were imported
into Britain in significant numbers before 1870.
Shortly afterward, the Comte le Couteuix de Canteleu
sent his entire pack of Griffons to a Mr Richard
Carnaby Forster, who gave them to his stepdaughter,
Lady Mary Hamilton. In 1906, the Hamilton
Otterhounds were sold individually to masters
of Otterhounds.
The Otterhound has keen scenting abilities almost
on a par with the Bloodhound. The dogs, which are
fine swimmers, would swim upriver, following the
otter's "wash" (trail of bubbles). When otter
hunting was outawed in the UK in the late
1970s, the Master of the Kendal and District
Otterhounds in the Lake District set up
the Otterhound Club to ensure the
breed's survival.
The Otterhound makes an amiable
though stubborn pet that can be
somewhat destructive within the
household, if undisciplined. Like
other thick-coated breeds, it
can be kenneled outdoors if
the owner wishes, though
many Otterhounds do
live indoors. It needs a
considerable amount
of exercise and its
rough coat should
be groomed
once a week,
and bathed
as necessary. |
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