The Otterhound is an old British dog breed, with Bloodhound ancestors, and one of the ancestors of the Airedale Terrier.
Appearance
The Otterhound is a large, rough-coated hound with an imposing head. Originally bred for hunting, it has great strength and dignity, with a strong body and long striding action. This makes it able to perform prolonged hard work. Otterhounds generally weigh between 80 and 120 pounds (36 to 54 kg). They have extremely sensitive noses which make them inquisitive and perseverant in investigating scents. Consequently, they need particular supervision. They are friendly dogs with a unique bass voice which they use frequently.
Temperament
The Otterhound is friendly, energetic, and devoted. It can be clumsy and even stubborn, but it is a fairly intelligent breed. Since it was not bred as a companion, it tends to be less responsive and personable than some other breeds. However because the otterhound is so laid back, it can make a great pet that is quiet and undemanding. It can be quite affectionate to its family and is good with older children. It is not recommended for young children and infants. Because it is a pack hound, it gets along fine with other dogs. It may chase small pets and needs to be socialized with other family pets, such as cats.