Otterhound

By Sophie Kininmonth · 4 Jan 2026 (updated 21 Jul 2026) ·7 min read

The Otterhound is a large British scent hound bred to work in water and on land, and it is one of the rarest breeds in the world. It is amiable, even-tempered, and genuinely good company for people who like big dogs, with a rough weatherproof coat, a powerful nose, and the endurance of an animal built for long wet days outdoors. It can be an affectionate part of household life. It is also a serious commitment, not a low-maintenance family pet. The sections below cover the details that matter day to day: how big they get, what they are like to live with, what they need, and what can go wrong.

History and Origin

The Otterhound is an old British scent hound, developed to trail and work in water as well as on land. Its hallmark features, the rough double coat, large feet, and powerful nose, all reflect that job.^{1, 2}

You will sometimes see confident claims about exact founding dates or specific crosses, for example that it was created in the 12th century by mixing Bloodhounds with Terriers. The surviving records do not support that level of precision. What is clear is that the breed's form follows function: a hound designed for long hours, cold water, and scent work.^{1, 2}

Appearance and Physical Characteristics

Up close, an Otterhound looks like it has been assembled for endurance. The body is substantial and strongly boned, and the head is imposing and covered with rough hair that often forms a natural moustache and beard. Dogs stand around 69 cm at the withers and bitches around 61 cm, with a typical weight guide of roughly 36 to 52 kg and individuals outside that range. Movement should be free and long-striding, the sort that can be kept up for miles.^{1, 2, 3, 4}

Coat and shedding

The coat is double: a harsher outer coat over a softer, woollier undercoat. This is not decorative. It is protection against water, cold, and rough scrub.^{1, 2} Expect the practical consequences too, including damp dog smell after swims, debris carried in from the garden, and a beard that collects water and food unless you stay on top of it.

Colour

Otterhounds come in a wide range of hound colours. Some breed standards do specify which colours are acceptable and which are not, so "any colour or combination" can be an oversimplification depending on which standard you are reading.^{1, 2}

Temperament and Personality

The Otterhound is typically described as amiable and even-tempered. Many are sociable with familiar people and enjoy being part of household life, but they also carry the steady independence common to scent hounds: once a smell catches, the world narrows to a trail.^{1, 2}

This does not mean they are naughty. It means management matters. A secure yard, a lead near roads, and training that acknowledges scent-drive will do more than trying to out-stern a dog that was bred to make its own decisions in the field.

With children and other animals

Individual temperament varies. Many Otterhounds are gentle in the home, but their size and enthusiasm can bowl over small children without any malice, so supervision, calm introductions, and teaching children how to handle a large dog safely remain essential. With other pets, early socialisation helps. Their original work involved hunting, so it is sensible to assume a strong interest in wildlife and small animals until proven otherwise.

Is an Otterhound Right for You?

An Otterhound suits households that genuinely enjoy big dogs: plenty of space, time for daily exercise, tolerance for mud and a wet coat, and the patience to train a nose-led hound without turning everything into a contest. If what you need is a tidy, easily recalled dog that fits neatly into short walks and a clean lounge room, another breed will usually make life simpler.

Because the breed is uncommon, Otterhounds rarely turn up in general shelters here in Australia. When they do need rehoming, it is usually through breed networks or hound-focused rescues. If you are pursuing adoption, ask direct questions about how the dog behaves around other dogs and small animals, how reliable its recall is when following scent, how well it tolerates grooming and handling of ears and feet, and whether it has any history of orthopaedic problems or digestive emergencies.

Training and Exercise

Otterhounds are active, capable dogs that do best with daily exercise and something to think about. Their fitness needs are not only about burning energy; they are about giving the nose a job and the body room to move.⁶

What enough exercise usually looks like

One long walk plus a second shorter outing, most days
Off-lead time only in securely fenced areas, since scent can override recall
Scent games (scatter-feeding, tracking, hidden treats) to satisfy the working brain

Training style that tends to work

Keep it calm and consistent, with rewards that matter to the dog, whether that is food, sniffing time, or a toy. Short sessions help. Harsh handling usually backfires with scent hounds, and you get resistance rather than reliability.

Health and Lifespan

Otterhounds are often reported to live around 10 to 13 years, varying with genetics, care, and luck.⁶ No breed is guaranteed healthy, and large, deep-chested dogs come with predictable vulnerabilities. Two issues are worth understanding early: orthopaedic disease, including hip dysplasia, and gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV, often called bloat).^{6, 7}

Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a developmental condition affecting the hip joint. It can lead to pain, lameness, and arthritis over time. Ask breeders for hip scoring (or comparable screening) and discuss what the results mean with your vet.⁶

GDV (bloat)

GDV is when the stomach fills with gas and then twists, trapping the contents and cutting off blood flow. It is an emergency measured in hours, not days, and large, deep-chested dogs are at higher risk.^{7, 8}

Signs that warrant urgent veterinary care: unproductive retching, sudden abdominal swelling, restlessness, drooling, weakness, and rapid deterioration⁷
Risk is influenced by multiple factors, including size, chest shape, feeding patterns, and family history, so talk to your vet about practical prevention and whether a preventative gastropexy is worth discussing for your dog⁷

Ear problems

Otterhounds have long, hanging ears and a lifestyle that often includes water, mud, and vegetation. That combination can predispose some dogs to ear inflammation and infection. Regular checks, and drying the ears after swims, are simple habits that can prevent bigger problems.

Grooming and Care

The Otterhound's coat is meant to be functional and natural-looking. Under breed standards it should not be sculpted into a stylised trim, so routine care is about preventing mats, removing debris, and keeping the skin healthy.^{1, 2}

Brush and comb a few times a week, focusing on friction points (behind the ears, armpits, groin, and around the collar)
Check ears routinely, and dry thoroughly after swimming
Trim nails before they get long enough to change the dog's gait
Clean the beard as needed, since water and food can linger there

A Few Things Worth Knowing

The Otterhound is a large scent hound developed in Britain for hunting in water and on land.^{1, 2}
It is one of the more vulnerable breeds, kept going by small communities of breeders and owners, and recognised by major kennel clubs.^{1, 2}
Otterhounds are sometimes claimed to appear in specific books and films, but many of those mentions do not hold up when checked carefully.^{1, 2}

The Bottom Line

The Otterhound is a rare, powerful, affectionate hound built for long, wet days outdoors, and it can be a rewarding companion in the right home. That home needs space, daily exercise, a tolerance for mess, and the patience to work with a scent-driven brain rather than against it. If you can give it those things, and stay alert to the health risks that come with a big, deep-chested dog, it is a wonderful and distinctive breed. If you cannot, honestly, a smaller and more biddable dog will suit you better.

References

Sophie Kininmonth

Dog lover and writer at My Pets Australia, sharing practical breed guides and care advice for Australian pet owners.