English Foxhound vs Otterhound
Compare two breeds
Pick two breeds to see them compared side by side.
English Foxhound
The English Foxhound was bred for centuries not as an individual family dog but as a pack animal, hunting fox alongside mounted riders in a tradition that stretches back to the sixteenth century. That history is why the breed still does best in a large group rather than alone at home. The short, dense coat needs minimal grooming, but the breed is a poor fit for apartment life given its very high exercise needs. An adult male can reach 34 kilograms, built for stamina, able to run for hours alongside horses across open country. Its voice is loud and far-carrying, meant to be heard by a mounted rider during a hunt. Temperament is friendly but independent, hard to manage without firm training, since the breed is conditioned to follow its own instincts rather than human commands. Genuine Foxhound pets remain rare today; most still work with hunting packs. Life expectancy runs 10 to 13 years.
Otterhound
The Otterhound was bred in England to hunt otters, once regarded as pests that damaged river fisheries, and that job explains almost everything about the breed's build. The rough double coat with its oily, water-resistant outer layer sheds water, while webbed feet let it swim nearly as efficiently as it runs on land. When otter hunting was banned in Britain in 1978, the breed lost its original purpose and is now among the rarest in the world, with fewer than a thousand living dogs. A male can weigh up to 52 kilograms, large but not clumsy, built for long swims in cold water. A deep, carrying bark was a genuine working asset, audible over noisy river currents at distance. Life expectancy runs 10 to 13 years.
At a glance
| English Foxhound | Otterhound | |
|---|---|---|
| Height (male) | 58.0–64.0 cm | 61.0–69.0 cm |
| Weight (male) | 29.0–34.0 kg | 30.0–52.0 kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–13 yrs | 10–13 yrs |
| Coat | short, dense | rough, double, harsh outer coat |
Temperament & Family Life
| English Foxhound | Otterhound | |
|---|---|---|
| Family friendly | ||
| Good with children | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly with strangers | ||
| Intelligence | ||
| Trainability |
Exercise, Energy & Space
| English Foxhound | Otterhound | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise need | ||
| Apartment friendly | ||
| Prey drive | ||
| Hunting instinct |
Guarding & Alertness
| English Foxhound | Otterhound | |
|---|---|---|
| Guarding instinct | ||
| Watchfulness | ||
| Barking level |
Grooming & Care
| English Foxhound | Otterhound | |
|---|---|---|
| Shedding | ||
| Drooling | ||
| Grooming need |
Temperament and care scores (1-5) are a general guide based on the breed standard — every individual dog is different.