Otter hunting is a very old tradition, and the otter dogs, possibly related to the ancient great white talbots, hunted in large packs. The otterhound is believed to be related to the bloodhound as well as the airedale terrier, and when it was bred to fit a standard in the late 1800s, the french breed griffon nivernais as well as wirehaired foxhound, were bred in. Because they were kept in large packs, the dogs were not individually registered, and many of the dogs were put to sleep when otter hunting became illegal in 1978, as many breeders did not have any further use for them. Fortunately, the breed was saved for the afterworld and is usually kept as a companion dog today, though it can sometimes be rather wild and clumsy!

The otterhound should be large, coarse and healthy with a scruffy coat and friendly temperament. The head is large, deeper than it is broad, with moderate stop and powerful muzzle. A light moustasche and beard. The ears are a trademark of the breed, long enough to reach the tip of the nose if stretched out, well covered in fur. The neck is long and powerful. Deep oval chest and powerful, straight back. Good amount of angulation in the legs. The tail is set high, carried high or hanging. It should be long enough to reach the hock and well covered in fur. The coat is rather long, thick, scruffy and hard but not wirey, and water resistant.