The Otterhound is a large, rough-coated hound with an imposing head showing great strength and dignity, and the strong body and long striding action fit for a long day's work. It has an extremely sensitive nose, and is inquisitive and perseverant in investigating scents.
The Otterhound hunts its quarry on land and it has a combination of characteristics unique among hounds—most notably a rough, double coat and substantial webbed feet.
They generally weigh between 80 and 120 pounds (36 to 54 kg). The breed lives to between 10 and 13 years old, although some have reportedly lived to be 15 or older. They are basically big, friendly dogs with a unique bass voice that they sometimes use to excess.
Because Otterhounds were originally bred for hunting, their most important characteristic is their ultra sensitive nose. As a result, new owners of Otterhounds often find that their new dog gets into everything and that the dog needs to be supervised or confined when unsupervised.
The Otterhound's hunting background means that it has energy and endurance, requiring more energetic exercise than simply walking around the block. This is a good breed for hunters or for people who enjoy jogging or other kinds of exercise.
There are only an estimated 1,000 or so Otterhounds in the world and only 23 are currently registered with the American Kennel Club. There are many factors that have contributed to this. One reason may be that otter hunting has been outlawed in most areas of the world during the 20th Century. Despite this, Otterhounds are good family dogs that simply demand a bit more attention at times than some other dogs.