Otterhound

Expert Grooming Article

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Otterhound

The first recorded Otterhounds known to resemble the current breed are in the North-West of England in the first half of the 19th century – for example, the Hawkstone Otter Hunt and Squire Lomax’s Otterhounds. In the second half of the 19th century, French Griffons were outcrossed, including one-eighth Wolf cross/Griffon Vendéen from the Comte de Canteleu in Normandy. In the early 20th century the Griffon Nivernais was crossed into the breed, and one particular dog, Boatman, a Grand Griffon Vendéen/Bloodhound cross, became an ancestor for several kennels.

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The Otterhound

The first recorded Otterhounds known to resemble the current breed are in the North-West of England in the first half of the 19th century – for example, the Hawkstone Otter Hunt and Squire Lomax’s Otterhounds. In the second half of the 19th century, French Griffons were outcrossed, including one-eighth Wolf cross/Griffon Vendéen from the Comte de Canteleu in Normandy. In the early 20th century the Griffon Nivernais was crossed into the breed, and one particular dog, Boatman, a Grand Griffon Vendéen/Bloodhound cross, became an ancestor for several kennels.

The Otterhound is a large, rough-coated hound with an imposing head. Originally bred for hunting, it has great strength and a strong body with long striding steps. This makes it able to perform prolonged hard work. The Otterhound hunts its quarry both on land and in water and it has a combination of characteristics unique among hounds; most notably an oily, rough, double coat and substantial webbed feet. They have a nose that can track in the mud and water for over 72 hours.

The otterhounds coat is long 4-8 cm, (1.5-3 ins), dense rough, harsh and waterproof but not wiry of broken appearance. Softer hair on head and lower legs natural. Undercoat evident and there may be a slight oily texture in top and undercoat. Not trimmed for exhibition. Presentation should be natural. All recognised hound colours permissible: Whole coloured, grizzle, sandy, red, wheaten, blue; these may have slight white markings on head, chest, feet and tail tip. White hounds may have slight lemon, blue or badger pied markings. Black and tan, blue and tan, black and cream, occasional liver, tan and liver, tan and white. Colours not permissible: Liver and white, a white-bodied hound with black and tan patches distinctly separate. Pigment should harmonise though not necessarily blend with coat colour; for example a tan hound may have a brown nose and eye rims.

Preparing an Otterhounds we need to understand the importance of the coat texture. This is a breed with their distinctive beard. Starting with the face always use Plush Puppy Let’s Face It Shampoo. This is a hypoallergenic sulfate free low foaming shampoo designed just for faces. It’s no tear formula features the highest quality Blue Cypress Extracts, Panthenol with Pro Vitamin B and SugaNate. These special ingredients clean, soothe, add moisture, aid healing and have anti-inflammatory benefits. A small golf ball sized amounts directly to the face and eye area allows you to thoroughly clean without causing irritation. It can also be used in and around the ears with the same benefits. Leave this on until all the shampooing of the body is done and then rinse off.

For the body use the specialised shampoo for maintaining and even adding texture Plush Puppy Texture + Shampoo. This shampoo thoroughly yet gently cleanses and deodorises the coat of Terriers and other wire, harsh or coarse coated breeds without softening or compromising texture. It’s ideal for boosting body and coarseness in coats of all colours and coat types. It is low irritant, pH controlled and is easy to rinse out. It is full of beneficial and powerful extracts from the Gentian Root, Juniper Fruit, St John’s Wart Leaf, Hay Flower, Lemon Balm Leaf and Arnica Flower that combine to nourish and vitalise the skin. Use at 1:10/20 (1 part shampoo to 10 up to 20 parts water). Lather and then rinse thoroughly.

You can also use Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo which is brilliant for the toning areas and enriching the depth of colour on your yellow, rusty tones and to generally cool down reddening on a black/dark coloured coats.

Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo with Ginseng is primarily derived from organic sources with Ginseng extracts, protein, and violet tone combined in a rich formula. It works brilliantly to whiten whites and intensify darker colours. It DOES NOT lighten or bleach but instead tones with optical brighteners. It reduces yellowing or warm tones in white coats or white areas of the coat and will negate unwanted tones from sun fading or reddening in the coat. Similarly for darker colours, it will reduce any warm tones to intensify the depth of colour by revitalising any lost cool tones.

If you need an intensive clean for this breed that we know loves to get dirty, or you want to remove product build-up use Plush Puppy Deep Cleansing Shampoo. Its rich formulation using organic sources with added Green Tea and Seaweed extracts to provide the deepest coat clean available. Not only will it spruce up dull whites, this product can be used on any colour coat for a thorough cleansing and clarifying when required. Use at a ratio of 1:5 (1 part shampoo to 5 parts water) for those days where you need that added deep clean.

For dogs with white areas that just need a little more brightening or stain reduction use Plush Puppy Wonder Blok. It helps to maintain a white stain free coat. It is not a bleach and contains no harmful chemicals but high amounts of naturally sourced vegetable surfactants and glycerin. This product is designed to remove gently unwanted warm or red tones to the coat. Best used on a damp or wet coat. Gently rub into the areas required allowing 5-10 minutes and rinse. For maximum effects repeat or allow a longer time for this amazing product to work. As with all products take care around eyes. For maximum effect try applying the day prior to bath day. Apply and simply leave on.

Don’t use a conditioner on this type of coat as it will only soften and make it fluffy. To ensure a healthy coat you still require hydration.

For this use Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil. This will add shine, hydrate and condition the coat with its truly beneficial blend of extracts of Calendula oil, Wheat germ oil, and Evening Primrose.

You apply the following mix to a well rinsed wet coat after your shampooing process. Add 1 teaspoon to 2 Litres of water, then either sponge on or sluice well through the wet coat and LEAVE IN. DO NOT RINSE. As this is an essential oil based product don’t use around the eyes.

Seabreeze Oil is quite a unique product in that it is not greasy and totally water-soluble. It gives an outstanding healthy vigour by maintaining moisture in the skin and coat.
Use the oil at this dilution rate after shampooing. Again LEAVE IN AND DO NOT RINSE. You will get a nice healthy sheen on the coat with this routine.

When drying an Otterhound use a Plush Puppy Ultimate Anti-Static Porcupine Brush, oval cushioned ½ bristle ½ dialon pin brush for smoother finish. This ensures the coat is not stretched or opened up for the desired finish to a harsh coat. TIP – Plush Puppy Anti-Static brushes feature dialon pins known for their superior anti-static properties.

Keep on hand Plush Puppy Wonder Wash which is a no rinse wet instant shampoo for any last-minute emergencies as this will clean up anything, pronto! Just spray foam with the fingers and towel off. Wonder Wash is a brilliant quick self-rinsing bathing alternative solution for quick and easy cleaning without the need for a complete bath. It contains optical brighteners, has a fresh apple fragrance, and violet tone. In moments when regular shampooing is not an option, Wonder Wash will clean, whiten and brighten problem areas on all coat kinds.

Lastly a quick spray with Plush Puppy Odour Muncher. It literally munches the odour and works well for smelly problems such as emergencies in transit. Odour Muncher leaves a light fragrance – certainly not too much and definitely not too little. It is a deodoriser as well as a fragrance, eating up the nasty odour and leaving a good fresh smell.

Now your Otterhound will look their very best in the ring. An amazing breed that will catch the judges eye.

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