Otter Hound

The origin of the otter dog is attributed to crosses between French dogs and strains of English scent hound. The otter dog is a breed originally selected to hunt otters. Otter hunting was banned in England, and the breed was redirected to other game. This breed is, however, in the process of extinction. Populations have never been large, even at the height of otter hunting in the early 20th century. The world population is estimated at only 600 otter dogs in the world. Only 38 new registrations were made in 2011 and the breed is the most threatened of all breeds originating from the United Kingdom. The breed is on the list of vulnerable British breeds (Vulnerable Native Breeds) of the Kennel Club and significant efforts are being made to preserve the breed.

The otter dog is described in the FCI standard as gentle, good-tempered, without a trace of aggression or nervousness. It has a reputation for being determined.

The otter dog is a large scent hound, with straight limbs, sturdy body. The movements are supple with long strides. The feet are large, round and especially webbed. Attached high, the tail is carried high in action, never curled on the back, but may be hanging at rest. The lower part of the tail carries longer and more abundant hair than the upper part. The coat on the lower part of the tail is rather longer and more abundant than on the upper part. The head is taller than it is wide; it is well covered with rough coat with mustaches and a slight beard. The color of the eye and pigmentation of the eye area vary according to the color of the coat, but is never yellow. The ear is long, hanging, attached at the level of the eye commissure. The otter dog possesses a unique characteristic based on its ears: the front edge folds or rolls inward, giving a draped effect. The coat measures from 4 to 8 cm, with undercoat. The coat is dense, shaggy, hard and waterproof. The texture of the guard coat and undercoat may be slightly oily. Grooming is prohibited in dog shows. The coat can be of any color recognized in scent hounds: solid color, grizzled, sand, red, wheaten, blue, black and tan, blue and tan, black and cream, liver, fawn and brown, fawn and white. These coats may have slight white markings on the head, chest, feet and tail tip.