Raising dogs, in particular taking care of the otterhound, is nothing new for humans across the globe. Experts have proven that dogs were originally domesticated between twelve thousand and 25,000 years ago—and that all canines evolved from wolves. Since those days, we have selectively bred more than four hundred breeds, varying in size from four-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, who have earned the distinction of the tallest pooch. However, the most preferred pooches are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mutts. The otterhound is another popular choice among canine owners. Many owners are uninformed, however, of many critical otterhound care tips.
Typical cost of care for your otterhound
The yearly cost of raising your otterhound—to include meals, to vet bills, toys and license—could range between four hundred twenty and $780. This does not even include capital costs for sterilization procedures, dog collar and leash, dog carrier and a doggie crate. Tip: Be positive you have procured all of your items before you get your otterhound home.
Typical otterhound Care
Feeding your otterhound
- otterhound pups between eight and twelve weeks need four bowls of food in a day.
- otterhound pups 3 to 6 months old should be fed 3 meals in a day.
- Feed puppies 6 months old to 1 year old 2 times in a 24 hour period.
- By the time your otterhound hits his or her first birthday, 1 bowl each day is adequate.
- Sometimes otterhounds, however, prefer 2 lighter helpings. It is your job to adapt to your otterhound’s eating schedule.
High-quality dry dogfood provides balanced nutrition to full-grown otterhounds and may be mixed with broth, canned food, or water. Your otterhound may also like cooked eggs, cottage cheese, and fruits and vegetables, but these dishes should be less than ten pct of her daily food allowance. otterhound puppies ought to be fed high-quality, name brand puppy food. You should cut down on “table food”, though, since it can cause mineral and vitamin deficiencies, bone and teeth concerns, and may create some very finicky food choices and obesity. Clean, fresh water should be available only, and make sure to clean water and food dishes very frequently.
otterhound Care Tips: Make sure to get your otterhound plenty of daily exercise
otterhounds need daily physical activity to burn calories, stimulate their minds, and remain in good health. Daily physical activity also seems to help otterhounds fight boredom, which has the potential to lead to naughty behavior. Getting out and about will appease many of your otterhound’s instinctual urges to dig, chase, herd, chew and retrieve. Exercise needs can depend on your otterhound’s level of health and his or her age—but ten minutes outside and merely a couple of walks down the street every day probably isn’t enough. If your otterhound is a 6 to 18 month adolescent, her requirements will be a little greater.
Grooming tips for otterhounds
Regular brushing will help keep your otterhound clean and reduce shedding. Inspect for fleas and ticks daily during the summer or other warm weather. Sometimes otterhounds don’t need to be bathed more than a few times during the year. Prior to a bath, cut out or comb any mats from the otterhound’s hair. Rinse all soap out of the coat, or the dirt will stick to the soap.
How to Handle Your otterhound
Pups, as opposed to adults, are clearly the easiest to manage. While carrying the otterhound puppy, take one of your hands and place it under your dog’s chest, with either your forearm or your other hand supporting her back legs and rump. Never attempt to grab or lift your puppy by his or her front legs, tail or back of the neck. When you have to lift a larger, full-grown otterhound, pick it up from underneath, bracing his chest with 1 of your arms and rear end with your other.
Housing your otterhound
Your otterhound needs a warm peaceful place to sleep away from all the breezes and away from the floor. You might wish to purchase a doggie bed, or feel like making one out of a wood box. Put a clean sheet, blanket, or pillow in the bed as cushion. Wash the otterhound’s bedding often. If your otterhound will be outdoors frequently, be certain she has covering and plenty of cool water in hot weather, and a dry, covered, warm area in the cold.
otterhound Licensing
There are licensing rules to heed in your community. Be sure you attach the license to your otterhound’s collar. The license, together with an identification tag, will most likely help secure your otterhound’s return if she happens to go missing.
otterhound Behavior Info
About Training Your otterhound
A well-mannered, companion otterhound is truly a joy to raise. However, when untrained, your otterhound can easily be a pain. Training your otterhound on the fundamentals—”Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, and “Leave it”—will improve your relationship both with your otterhound as well as the company. If you own a pup, start training him on the appropriate behavior as soon as possible! Little bits of food can be used as incentive and recognition. Pups should start obedience class when they have been sufficiently vaccinated. Call the community SPCA or humane society for details on obedience class recommendations. Invariably you should keep your otterhound on a leash in public, even as a pup. Just be sure your dog will come back to you at all times whenever you say. An aggressive or disobedient otterhound should not be allowed to play with people.
The Health of Your otterhound
Your otterhound should visit the veterinarian for a thorough screening, vaccinations and heartworm test annualy, and promptly when he is sick or hurt.
otterhound Dental Health
Although we may object to our otterhound’s foul breath, it’s important to be aware of what it might mean. Bad breath is a symptom that your otterhound is in need of a dental exam. Plaque triggered by bacteria creates a bad smell that can only be eliminated by the help of a professional. After a cleaning from a professional, her teeth and gums can be kept healthy by eliminating table food, feeding a special diet focused on maintaining dental health, and brushing regularly. The vet can supply you with more data on mitigating oral disease and bad breath. You should clean the otterhound’s teeth with a doggie paste or a simple baking soda and water paste once or twice a week. Use a child’s soft toothbrush, a gauze pad or a piece of nylon stocking stretched over your finger. Some otterhounds have periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. This painful affliction can sometimes lead to tooth loss and propagate infections to her body. Veterinarians can brush the teeth as a regular part of your otterhound’s health exam.
otterhound Breath Gone Wild!
If your otterhound has halitosis, gum disease may not necessarily be the problem, as other ailments have that symptom. Diseases of the intestines or liver may cause halitosis, while a pleasant, even sweet smell can frequently be a sign of diabetes. If your otterhound’s breath smells like urine or ammonia, kidney disease is a possible reason. Set an appointment with a veterinarian whenever your otterhound has halitosis along with other signs of disease like excessive urinating or drinking, depression or lethargy, weight loss, nausea, or decreased appetite.
Tick and Fleas in otterhounds
Daily, regular inspections of your otterhound for fleas and ticks throughout the warm seasons are crucial. You can remove fleas using a flea comb. There are many new techniques of flea and tick elimination. Refer to your veterinarian about his or her options.
Heartworm problems in otterhounds
Your otterhound is at risk of developing heartworms if she is exposed to mosquitoes often. The insect carries the worm from dog to dog. Heartworm infestations are fatal. It is critical that you ensure your otterhound submits to a blood screening for heartworms each year in the spring. A once-a-month tablet taken throughout the course of mosquito season will help to protect your otterhound. If you ever travel in a warmer-than-usual region with your otterhound in the winter, your dog should be on the preventive medicine during the trip. In some of the milder regions, veterinarians recommend preventive heartworm medication be taken continuously.
Poisions and Medicines
If you’re contemplating giving your otterhound pills that was not prescribed for her by his vet, don’t do it. One little ibuprofen tablet is known to initiate stomach ulcers in otterhounds. Make sure your otterhound is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. If you think your pooch has consumed a toxin, notify your veterinarian or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 24 hrs. a day for assistance.
Spaying and Neutering otterhounds
Male otterhounds should be neutered – the removal of the testicles – and females spayed – the removal of the uterus and ovaries – by 6 months of age. Spaying before maturity significantly diminishes the risk of breast cancer, a frequently deadly and common ailment of older female dogs. The risk of a diseased uterus, which is another serious affliction that affects older females, will be removed by spaying when young. Neutering males prevents testicular diseases, certain types of aggressions and some hernias.
otterhound Immunizations
- Your otterhound pup should be vaccinated with a combination immunization (called the “five-in-one”) at 2, three and 4 months old, and again once every year. This innoculation immunizes your puppy from parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and distemper. Your otterhound must be vaccinated for at least the first four months of her life.
- If you have the rare otterhound who has not been innoculated and is older than four or 5 months, she must have a set of two immunizations 2 or three weeks apart, followed by a yearly innoculation.
- Your otterhound puppy’s socialization should coincide with the vaccination program. You may bring your otterhound pup to socialization courses as early as eight or nine weeks old, according to most vets. They should have already received their first innoculations by this age.
Rules are so varied around the country, that it’s best to call your local vet for rabies immunization info. For instance, New York City regulations declare that pets older than 3 months be immunized for rabies. The initial rabies vaccine must be followed by another immunization the following year, and then every three years. There are many immunizations that may effective for your otterhound. Your veterinarian can give you her advice. Note, if your otterhound gets ill because he is not immunized, the vaccination can be administered after your companion animal is better.
Intestinal Worms in otterhounds
otterhounds are often exposed to worms and possible infestation—in all areas, both rural and urban. Microscopic eggs produced by hookworms and roundworms are passed in an infected dog’s stool. Most puppies, even from healthy mothers in good homes, carry hookworms or roundworms. The secret to treatment is early diagnosis. This will ensure that the medication is successful against the parasite your dog has. A dewormer that eliminates hookworms, for example, will not kill tapeworms. Your otterhound’s doctor can best identify the culprit—and assign the effective medicine.
otterhound Care Tips: Additional Info
otterhound Supply Checklist
- Top-quality dog food and treats designed for otterhounds and similarly-sized dogs
- Food bowl
- Water dish
- As many safe toys as you can provide, especially chewable
- Brush & comb for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with license and ID tag
- Leash
- Carrier (for puppies)
- Crate for training
- Box or dog bed with comforter or towel
- Doggie toothbrush
The no-no list
Never, ever feed your otterhound the following:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Caffeinated foods, like coffee, tea or chocolate
- Raisins or grapes
- Moldy or spoiled food
- Onions, chives & garlic
- Chicken, turkey, or any other poultry bones
- Salt and salty foods
- Tomato leaves, unripe fruit or stems
- Yeast dough
Final Thoughts
Unless you are at home, or in a secured, fenced-in space, keep your otterhound on a leash at all times. When your otterhound defecates on a neighbor’s lawn, her sidewalk or any other public space, please clean it up! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about otterhounds
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