center of gravity. A pastern that is too straight will shift the weight on to the toes and may cause injury. Th is is also a problem when the pasterns turn in or out. Th e added load on the bones will lead to the front end breaking down more quickly than in a well-constructed hound. It is not unusual to find a well-constructed hound still hunting at the age of 10. Dewclaws may be removed. Th e feet are extremely large and broad. Th ick webbing between the toes allows the foot to spread over rocky, uneven terrain. Th e condition of the pad is of great impor- tance, especially that of the heel pad which must withstand the shock of gaiting. Paper thin or splayed feet are unforgivable. Hindquarters Th e rear assembly is less for weight bearing than it is for locomotion. Th e thighs and second thighs are large, broad and powerful. Th e croup is flat. Stifles are moderately bent; again, a straight stifle would shorten the stride and lead to early fatigue. Th e hocks are well let down and short in comparison to the length of other bones. Th is aids in increasing the Otterhounds’ endurance. Gait Th e Otterhound must demonstrate the ability to do a long day’s work. Th ere is no wasted motion in the gait, which is main- tained for many miles. Th ey move freely with great forward reach and drive. Th e Otterhound has a loose, shambling walk
“THE NECK IS THICK AND POWERFUL, capable of holding the head above water and also of sufficient length to reach the ground while hunting on land.”
Neck, Topline & Body Th e neck is thick and powerful, capable of holding the head above water and also of su ffi cient length to reach the ground while hunting on land. However, longer muscles often lack strength. It blends smoothly into the shoulders. A ewe-neck would severely compromise the cervical ligaments, which would make keeping the head above water an exhaustive task. A slight dewlap is permissible. A dog lack- ing in thick, protective skin around the neck would be vulnerable to a critical, and possibly fatal wound from their quarry. Th e abundance of hair on the neck often makes it appear shorter than it actually is. Th e topline is level from the withers to the base of the tail. Otterhounds have an oval-shaped rib cage, with ribs extending well back to provide for a large area for heart and lungs. Th e brisket line runs par- allel to the ground to at least the 8th or 9th rib. An upward sweep would impair the heart and lung room. A rounded rib cage would also impair the chest cavity. Th e chest is deep, reaching at least to the elbows in a mature hound, though usually even evident in young dogs. Th e forechest is prominent. Th e loin is short, broad and strong. A rise over the loin should not be confused with a thick muscle mass. A long loin often goes hand-in-hand with straight shoulders and should be penalized. Tail Th e tail is set high and reaches at least to the hock. It is carried in a sabre fashion, never curled over the back. Th e muscles carrying the tail are a continu-
ation of the muscles in the loin. Th e tail has an extremely thick root and tapers to a point. It should be well feathered. Hunts- men often recognize their hounds only by the tips of their tails when hunting in thick brush. Forequarters Th e front assembly is perhaps the most important. It must be strong to support the weight of the dog and absorb the concus- sion of gaiting. Th e shoulders are the foun- dation of the front assembly. Inasmuch as Otterhounds singletrack at a slower speed than most other breeds, a loaded shoulder that pushes the elbows out and often leads to single tracking is often rewarded by the inexperienced eye. Th is would surely lead to fatigue in short order. A straight shoul- der would shorten the stride and also lead to fatigue. Th e legs are strongly boned and straight. Pasterns are slightly sprung with the heel pad directly under the
“THE FRONT ASSEMBLY IS PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT. It must be strong to support the weight of the dog and absorb the concussion of gaiting.”
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