Otterhound
獵水獺犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Otterhound is a big, shaggy, boisterous scent hound bred in medieval England to swim down otters, with a rough, oily, waterproof coat, webbed feet and a nose that could follow a scent trail underwater; with fewer than 800 in the world it is one of the rarest breeds and a Royal Kennel Club vulnerable native breed. Amiable, even-tempered and devoted, it is a "class clown" with a deep, melodious bay that carries remarkably well. Large and strong yet sensitive, it does best with positive, reward-based training, needs plenty of outdoor exercise — ideally with water — and is best suited to country living.
Facts
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Height | 61–69cm |
| Weight | 36–52kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–13years |
| Breed group | AKC: hound FCI: 6 |
| Role | Hound |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Shedding | 2/ 5 |
| Exercise | 45–150min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 5/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 4/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
Deep-chested dogs of this breed are at risk of bloat, a life-threatening emergency. Ask your vet about the warning signs and prevention options.
Epilepsy
Seizures are a recognised concern in the breed with no genetic test available; the parent club's 2024 health survey drew reports from 97 owners of Otterhounds with seizures and is feeding a North Carolina State University epilepsy study. Ask your vet promptly if your dog has a seizure.
Bleeding disorders
Glanzmann's thrombasthenia, an inherited platelet disorder, is reported in the breed and has a DNA test: the AKC says puppies can inherit it unless both parents are cleared, and The Royal Kennel Club requires imported dogs to be tested to keep it out of the UK population. Tell your vet before any surgery.
Behaviour
Big and strong — and surprisingly sensitive
The AKC says that as large and strong as Otterhounds are, they can be very sensitive: use positive, reward-based methods and praise, be patient, and combine food with praise (clicker training also works well) because, like people, Otterhounds love being told how wonderful they are when they master something.
Boisterous water dog for country living
The CKC describes an amiable, boisterous, even-tempered hound of unfailing devotion whose working qualities have always been emphasised: it should be kept lean and well-muscled, needs lots of outdoor exercise including water to hone its swimming, and is best suited to country living. The AKC adds that a big fenced yard is only a beginning — some hounds will lie under a tree rather than self-exercise — so long sniffing walks, obedience, tracking and agility supply the mental and physical work it needs.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "more than 2 hours per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 5/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Otterhound
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Otterhound (Hounds)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Otterhound
Breed characteristics (size large, exercise more than 2 hours per day, lifespan over 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Otterhound (standard no. 294, group 6)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club, which received the AKC's 2024 Eddy Award for breeder education, ran a 2024 breed health survey and is following it up with North Carolina State University's epilepsy questionnaire: 97 respondents reported owning an Otterhound with seizures, and the club is urging every one of them to complete the second, confidential part so researchers have enough cases to work with. It describes the breed as noble ancient scent hounds that are "class clowns" at heart, good with children and animals, and remarkably adaptable to their surroundings.”
— Otterhound Club of America — Health Survey 2024 via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Otterhound — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Otterhound — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Otterhound — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Otterhound — FCI standard no. 294 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Health Survey Update / Life with an Otterhound — Otterhound Club of America — Otterhound Club of America (public pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.