“THE OTTERHOUND MUST BE CAPABLE OF A STRONG, CRUSHING GRIP. A snipy hound with lack of fill beneath the eyes
will most likely have short tooth roots and thus, lack power in the molars.”
Otterhounds are often required to hunt as much as 18 miles over rough terrain. Hounds require great strength, as well as endurance and courage. Strong, dense bones with good substance and broad muscles are a must. A broad, heavy muscle will not respond as quickly to action as a smaller, longer muscle, but is more e ffi cient in burning energy. The Head Th e head is said to be majestic. It is large, fairly narrow and well covered with hair. It is measured from the point of the occiput to the tip of the nose, with the muzzle approximately equal to the length of the skull. In a dog measuring 26" at the withers, the head should be 11"-12" in length. Note that the British standard allows the muzzle to be slightly shorter than the skull. Planes of the skull and muzzle are parallel. Th e skull is only slightly domed; young hounds occasion- ally have a prominent occiput. Th e stop is not pronounced. Th e muzzle should be square, with no evidence of snippiness. Th e Otterhound must be capable of a strong, crushing grip. A snipy hound with lack of fill beneath the eyes will most likely have short tooth roots and thus, lack power in the molars. Th e flews are deep, though not pendulous, lest the Otter have flesh to grab hold of. Th e Otterhound standard states that a scissors bite is preferred; how- ever, the position of the front incisors plays only a minimal roll in the crushing grip that allows the Otterhound to over power its quarry. An overshot mouth is often due to a receding jaw with a less powerful bite.
Th e nose is large and dark, usually black, but may be slate-colored or brown in a blue or liver hound. In the Unit- ed States, the standard calls for a fully pigmented nose, although this does not have any a ff ect on the dogs hunting abili- ties. Wide-open, forward-facing nostrils are extremely important to provide the large surface area required for enhanced scenting abilities. Th e expression and demeanor is ami- able. Aggressiveness or shyness should not be tolerated. Otter hunting was often a spectator sport-hounds would never be permitted to terrorize the neighbors. Th e eyes are deep set, with haw showing only slightly. Th e color is dark brown but may vary slightly with coat color. As with nose color, the color of the eye does not a ff ect the Otterhounds ability to hunt. A round, prominent eye would be in danger
of being scratched in the field and should be severely penalized. Ears Th e ears are an essential feature of Otterhound type. Th ey are long, and pendulous. Th e leading edge rolls to give a draped appearance. Th ey are set at or below the level of the eye. When excited, dogs will often pull their ears high on their head. Show photographers should be discouraged from throwing objects to get the dogs attention. Th e ears must reach at least to the tip of the nose. Th e leather is extremely thick and well cov- ered with hair. A thin ear would most certainly rip in the field. Because the ear is nearly water-tight, Otterhounds are prone to frequent ear infections. Th e inside of the ear may be trimmed for health reasons.
“THE EARS ARE AN ESSENTIAL FEATURE OF OTTERHOUND TYPE.
THEY ARE LONG, AND PENDULOUS.”
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