What is an Otterhound: What kinds of illnesses and conditions does an Otterhound have to deal with?

An Otterhound is a big dog of hound type. Some may be mistaken for a "giant Schnauzer" appearance; others may be mistaken for a Greyhound. The genitive sighthounds are usually referenced as their proper group to avoid confusion about the type of dog the hound is. All these breeds have distinguishing features and needs that must be met to keep them healthy and happy.

Otterhound Dog

Otterhounds are large, strong dogs with powerful jaws capable of carrying game up to 30 pounds without difficulty, all day if need be. They have floppy ears and wide, triangular-shaped heads on sturdier necks than other sighthounds. To gather extra details on What is an Otterhound please go to What is an Otterhound. Their tails are long and tapered but curl upwards.

Common ailments include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation (kneecap), entropion in the eyes, and heart murmurs. The worst of these conditions is hip dysplasia, as it can be severely crippling to an otherwise healthy dog later in life.

What is an Otterhound

Dogs with this affliction tend to walk with a limping hitch in their gait and may be unable to adjust themselves comfortably for lying down or sitting up. They may seem uncomfortable in general and experience difficulty getting up from a lying or sitting position. These dogs must be given daily exercise to help them maintain adequate muscle mass and strength to support the disorder of their hip joints.

Deafness in Otterhounds is fairly common, occurring between 20 and 30 percent of all Otterhound litters born. It is related to the shape of their heads as they can hear sounds from a shorter distance than other breeds. It doesn't affect their hunting ability. They are more intelligent and quicker than any prey animal they might pursue—except for wild boar. Other breeds of dogs can also be deaf, but Otterhounds are not. Their hearing is more sensitive and therefore more important for their hunting efforts. They can make up for their loss of hearing by catching the vibrations in the air and ground around them.

Deafness is an inherited trait, meaning that it will be passed on to any Otterhound puppy with deaf parents. With that being said, the health problems noted above are also hereditary. You can avoid dealing with these problems by purchasing a puppy from a reputable breeder who shows her dogs in conformation competitions and keeps track of their genetic history. Reputable breeders will not breed two known carriers of deafness to each other or any dog who may produce puppies with this affliction.

Reach To Us

Hunter Hounds Otterhounds

Email: admin@otterhound.dog

Website: https://otterhound.dog/what-is-an-otterhound-ultimate-guide-2020/

Google Site: https://sites.google.com/view/otterhound-dog/