Otterhound

Developed over centuries in England, the Otterhound combines the scenting ability of bloodhound-type dogs with a dense, oily, waterproof double coat and webbed feet suited to swimming in cold rivers. Packs of Otterhounds were used to hunt otters, then considered a threat to fish stocks, working through rivers and marshland for hours at a time. When otter hunting was banned in the United Kingdom in 1978, the breed lost its original purpose almost overnight, and numbers, already modest, declined sharply as fewer people kept working packs.

Living with an Otterhound means living with a large, good-natured, somewhat clumsy dog that loves water more than almost any other breed. It is affectionate, sociable and generally excellent with children, but its size and enthusiasm mean it is not always the most graceful presence in a small home. It has a loud, distinctive baying voice, a legacy of pack hunting where hounds needed to be heard over long distances, and this makes it unsuitable for noise-sensitive neighbourhoods.

Its coat needs regular brushing to prevent matting and manage its natural oiliness, and the breed's love of water means frequent muddy, wet returns from walks near rivers or ponds. Exercise needs are considerable, reflecting its hunting stamina, and it does best with access to safe water for swimming.

Today the Otterhound is critically endangered, with only a few dozen registered annually in Britain, kept almost entirely by dedicated enthusiasts working to keep the breed from disappearing altogether.