At a glance the quick version
AKC gives approximate weights of about 115 lb (52 kg) for males and 80 lb (36 kg) for females; the FCI standard sets no weight.
Coat and looks how to spot one
rough double coat
A shaggy, weatherproof coat of coarse hair about 4-8 cm long over a softer undercoat, both slightly oily to shed water. The large, broad feet are webbed so the hound can swim strongly.134
Personality what they are like
A friendly, easy-going and rather boisterous hound with a big, deep voice. It follows its nose with great persistence and is good-humoured with people.13
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High. The Royal Kennel Club recommends more than two hours of exercise daily; it enjoys long walks and a chance to swim.4
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush more than once a week to keep the rough coat in order; it is kept natural and not trimmed for the show ring, and it sheds steadily.41
Home where they are happiest
Best in a large house with a garden in a rural setting, according to the Royal Kennel Club.4
Company who they like around
A pack hound by heritage that is sociable and gets along well with people and other dogs.14
The story where it all began
Hounds of this type were used in Britain to hunt otters, and dogs resembling the modern breed are recorded in north-west England in the early 1800s, later refined with French griffon blood. When the otter became a protected species in Britain in 1978 the hounds lost their job, and the breed has since been kept going by devoted enthusiasts.241
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Webbed feet are a requirement in the FCI standard, which says the webbing must be visible on both front and back feet.1
- 2
Its coat is naturally a little oily, helping it stay waterproof on long swims.1
- 3
The breed first appeared at a dog show in Leeds in 1861.2
- 4
It is often described as Britain's most endangered native breed, with only 41 new registrations reported in 2016.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 294, Group 6 (Scenthounds and related breeds), Section 1.1 Large-sized hounds; standard dated 13.10.2010.1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Hound group; listed as a vulnerable native breed.4
- AKC
- Hound Group; current standard approved 10 October 1995, effective 30 November 1995.3
How many 6002
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Otterhound. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard N° 294 Otterhound fci.beused for recognition, height, coat, colours, temperament, feet
- Otterhound - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for history, lifespan, population, fun facts
- AKC Official Standard of the Otterhound images.akc.orgused for height, weight, coat, colours, temperament
- Otterhound - The Royal Kennel Club royalkennelclub.comused for group, exercise, grooming, lifespan, habitat, history
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.