Country/Date of Origin: England/11th Century
This hunting hound has a long history, but is short in numbers. It was bred as a pack hunter to track and kill the river otter, which was considered vermin in England (because they were decimating the fish population in lakes and streams). In the late 19th century, just before otter hunting was outlawed, there were more than 20 packs of Otter Hounds that ran regularly. The Otter Hound hunts both on land and in water, tracking with a methodical thoroughness.
The breed has been recognized by the American Kennel Club since 1910, but a puppy may be difficult to find.