A "Bloodhound in sheep's clothing" is the way they describe me in the National Geographic Book of Dogs. Young children regard me as a big lovable teddy bear, but the most common impression of me is that of a very appealing shaggy dog - truth at last! In addition to my woolly looks, my distinguishing features include a well muscled sturdy body, a heavy head with long ears and deep-set eyes and a low deep voice similar to that of the Bloodhound, although of far superior quality. I have a somewhat melancholy look, but I am a happy dog with a long tail which is usually wagging. Although I am generally too curious and gregarious to be a one-man-hound, I am loyal and devoted to my master. I can readily adjust to and patiently accept almost any environment. Those who own me soon learn that they have acquired an unusual hound who will attract attention and genuine interest in any company.
Although I am a large hound, I'm friendly, kind and gentle with people and most tolerant of other dogs. I am somewhat of a clown when demonstrating my feelings. When young I can be rather boisterous and disdainful of furnishings in a crowded room, but never destroy things intentionally. My clownish behaviour endears me to my owners and I frequently use this behaviour to my advantage in the cause of getting my own way.
I can turn on an appealing expression which plainly says "did I do wrong?" and this permits me to often get away with things I should not do. I will do almost anything my owner asks, but object when ordered or forced; yes, I can be stubborn.
I enjoy the company of other dogs and do not enjoy fights. Perhaps sometimes I am too tolerant of their rudeness, but if they go too far beyond the bounds of fair play boy can I stand up for myself; must be the hunting pack heritage.
If you would like to see me at the show and get to know more about me, come and talk to those who own me.
HISTORY
The origin of the Otterhound is not clearly known. Early writers did not differentiate between the Otterhound and the Bloodhound. W. Davidson's opinion that the Otterhound came from the old Southern Hound and the Griffon of France seems to be quite logical. The earliest mention of Otterhounds in history comes from the records of King John (1199-1216 AD) and therefore gives an indication that Otterhounds hunting in packs was probably the oldest form of sport using scent hounds to be found in England. In those days the otter was mainly hunted to stop it depleting the fish numbers in the rivers and streams, very important as the diet of the average person contained a high percentage of fish. The Royal Pack or Otter Hunt, was one of many packs maintained by the nobility. Each pack was designated an area in which to work and was granted many privileges, such as the shutting down of mills, water wheels or other activities which might endanger or interfere with their work of trailing the otter. Because otter hunting, unlike other types of hunting, was possible in summer it became quite popular and was followed by the sporting gentry and country folk alike. The hounds were bred only enough to maintain the numbers needed for the packs which in some cases were 20-30 pairs.
Otter hounds were often drafted (transferred) from one hunt to another, but never to private owners. A fact which accounts for the rarity of the breed. Probably the best trained pack of Otterhounds assembled was that maintained by Squire James Lomax of Clayton Hall, Clitheroe, England from 1829-1871. He described otter hunting in detail in a diary he kept during those years, later published in 1910.
The most noted authority on the Otterhound in recent times was Captain John Bell-Irving (now sadly deceased) and his surviving family of Annan in Scotland, Masters of the Dumfriesshire Hunt. This entirely family owned pack recently celebrated its centenary and will reign in the honoured history of the breed along with the Kendal pack, the only hunts to maintain unbroken lines of pure bred Otterhounds for a hundred years.
After World War 11, as time and public opinion changed, there was less support and less money to maintain the packs. River pollution meant that the fish died off and the otters left. The Otterhound packs were gradually disbanded, the last hunts ceasing in the late 1970s. In the United Kingdom the pure bred Otterhound numbers dwindled, hanging on the verge of extinction. All the care and devotion that had been tirelessly given towards the survival of the Otterhound, in many ways the life's work of the Hunt Masters, was about to be dissipated into the mists of time.
At virtually the 11th hour the remaining much depleted number of hounds were released into private ownership. Although still numbering in the "rare breed" category, the Otterhounds of the 1990s still remain, above all, a tribute to those who unswervingly championed the breed through times of change and uncertainty.
The Otterhound today, no longer permitted to pursue the otter, has now in some ways become the "new kid on the block" whether he be a family companion or exhibited in the show ring. He is still very much a hound who has retained his pack instinct and his chameleon like attitude to life allows him to retain his heritage whilst enjoying domestication. He firmly remains the true "CLOWN PRINCE OF HOUNDS".
