Otterhound is a breed of dog that was developed in Britain for the sport of hunting otters. It has a thick, rough coat, with an oily undercoat that enables it to stay in cold water for long periods. Its feet are slightly webbed, which helps make the dog a good swimmer. A male otterhound stands about 24 to 27 inches (61 to 69 centimeters) high at the shoulder, and weighs from 75 to 115 pounds (34 to 52 kilograms). Females stand about 22 to 26 inches (56 to 66 centimeters) high and weigh 65 to 100 pounds (29 to 45 kilograms). The otterhound’s color ranges from grizzled blue and white to sand, with black and tan markings.
The breed probably originated during the 1300’s. Its ancestry is unclear, but many breeders believe the otterhound was developed from the Vendée hound of France. Others believe it originally came from the bloodhound.
