Rocky the Otterhound: Even mundane weeks are fun!

This week has seen more of the dull, wet weather that we are so used to. There has been no particularly interesting visits or people this week and although confined to the patio when let out at home; our Otterhounds are never bored or feel as though they are missing out. To a young hound every day is an adventure!




All sorts of household items can be fun to play with (when you can get them out of Rosie’s bed that is).



"Can I play with you Rocky"?






Never let it be said that Otterhounds don’t know how to share …….. Rocky has had a crash course on this recently, he is good natured enough not to mind though …….. He also rather enjoys having a playmate whenever he wants one!




If at a loss, a well stocked toy box is an advantage if you have young hounds in the house.





Choosing which item to play with can take some time, believe me there is never a sense of “Oh this will do”!

Each plaything is picked after rooting through, or even discarding toys ….. It has to fill the need at the time you know!

Sometimes they will choose something to play with individually ……… But it doesn’t always stay that way …….. When young, what others have is often more attractive; isn’t it?!

Time can also pass quickly when enjoying a rawhide chew stick …….. This remains one of the few totally individual sports in this house.

Then of course we have the activity that our hounds excel in …….. Synchronised sleeping!

In the evening there is always time for a bit of relaxed television viewing …..

If there is nothing interesting on, Rocky and Rosie will wind up for a game …..

The winding up bit seems to involve quite a bit of annoying the other until they give in and play!

Once playing is in full swing this activity can be just for the two of them …….. Or anyone can join in!!

The toy box doesn’t just provide fun during the day …… The usual question crosses our minds …… Is this going to be a team or individual event?

This one turned out to be individual in the end.

“I’m the great hunter returning home after a successful day in the wilds”!

Meanwhile, Rosie had decided on her own plaything …

“Aha ….. Got you now bird thing that makes a funny noise”!!!

Rocky will often change his mind halfway through a game ….. Particularly if there is a chance of enticing Rosie into joining him! The problem is which manoeuvre has the most chance of success ……?

Our Hero takes his latest prize and sits on his sofa as close to Rosie’s bed as possible …..

…… He will then make as much noise as possible ….. Lots of snuffling and smacking of lips ……..

If you ask him if he is trying to attract someone’s attention he tries to look all innocent ……

……. “Who me”?!!

This ploy never fails to get the intended response ……. Rosie is a pushover with this at the moment …..

….. And Rocky is a very clever problem solver!!!

Rosie’s approach will start gently ….

“Please can I play with you” ……

When Rocky pretends not to notice she is there …..

Rosie moves in with a rather more direct approach!

This is where Rocky gets the most fun ……

“No …. Get off”!

“Oh go on let me”!

“No you’ll have to force it off me”!!

….. Then the enjoyment really starts ………

Their usual daytime walks are also not as dull as you may think …..

We are lucky enough to have several enclosed fields near us, so Rocky and Rosie have at least one play off the lead daily.

There are usually all sorts of things to play with …..

And there is always each other …..

Such bouncy Otterhounds!!

More sedate games can be fun as well.

Of course, if they get bored with that they can always look around for more physical things to do …..

Such as tracking the path of one of last night’s bunnies.

There is always the chance of meeting up with new friends.

In fact, some days, there are a lot of new friends …….!!

Things can very quickly turn from gentle pastime to all out charging about.

This particular day Rocky was spoilt for choice of who to play with next.

I think he gave up and just played with everybody, if I’m honest …… All at the same time! Dogs aren’t as shy as we can be, on the whole, and given the chance will get on with just about everybody.

Lots of fun was had by all.

And by the end of their walking session, they had five playmates to gamble about with. What games they had!!

By the time they got home, there was a feeling that snoozing may be on the agenda ….. Replacing some of that used up energy!

Rocky got comfortable very quickly ….. A past master!

Rosie (still learning), although probably just as tired, didn’t seem to get comfy enough for a while ….. Despite having a whole sofa between the two of them!

Eventually, tiredness overcame everything else …..

And our beautiful Otterhounds drifted off ……

Sleep well and dream of happy days!!

Rocky the Otterhound: Important matters, the learning curve and it’s not just cars that get dirty!

This year The Otterhound Club are collecting health information on Otterhounds all over the world. This information, along with funds raised by this group, goes into research to tackle any identified problems and continue the viability of the breed.

Rocky has helped to fill out this important survey, he had to put his serious head on and concentrate. Rocky managed this quite well but only in short bursts (well he is still rather young) and he wasn’t exactly helped by the fact that Rosie kept asking to play. We both found the form straight forward and the explanatory notes were very helpful. However I was aware that if I had any problems with filling it in I could contact any member of the committee for help (Link to The Otterhound club site is available on this site). Rocky made sure I sent it back straight away as without the information it would be very difficult to resolve any problems that incoming information would show. Well done Rocky!

This week has been fairly quiet for Rocky. The beautiful but freezing weather has been replaced by fairly warm and wet weather (Yuk!!). Our Otterhound propensity for enjoying any water based activities has led to a reluctance to go out! Meanwhile "our" propensity for enjoying a very muddy house has led to a reluctance to let our hounds play past the patio. Nevertheless, Rocky and Rosie have enjoyed their week as much as ever and continued thier daily walks regardless.

Rocky and Rosie are just as happy playing indoors as out. There is always a game to be had and pals to play with.

Rocky will tempt Rosie out of her basket for a game of chase ……. After a short burst Rosie will dive for her bed; if Rocky thinks she needs a break and leaves her. she will wriggle and bark for him to come and get her!

Then there is the all time favourite game of shred the fluffy toy. Many a happy hour is spent by our two undertaking this process …….. There appears to be a competition to see who can get the most stuffing out!! That’s pups for you!!

Post playtime inevitably sees a session of synchronised sleeping. Rocky is never miserly with his sofa, in fact I think he prefers it when he has someone to snuggle up with. Rosie, of course, finds Rocky a very suitable cuddle blanket.

Rocky has spent some of his time teaching Rosie some lessons ……. This week saw an intensifying of teaching on how to beg! ......... “Daddy” and his TV dinners …….. !
Allowing this behaviour is our choice as although a trait not to be encouraged; it does provide amusement for the household. But like any good pack leader; the younguns get their rewards, but only after we have finished.

Rosie seems to be getting the idea, but then Rocky does pick the easier subjects to teach her!

By the end of the week Rosie had decided that Rocky always had the best spot for this type of work ….. So chose to elbow her way in ……. Life is difficult when your student tries to surpasses your ability isn’t it Rocky?!

Shopping day has become a truly family event.

Even before leaving for the shops the bags come under scrutiny from everyone.

The younger ones of our household tend to loose interest fairly quickly and, after causing chaos, sidle off to have a game.

But Otterhounds are sometimes stubborn creatures and Rocky will continue to search through the bags …… just in case we have left some morsel or other behind!

We do feed him honest!!


This week was also bath week for our pups. This time of year sees all sorts of things getting decidedly dirty, most cars for instance, tend to get rather mucky as mud and salt is relocated throughout the country. Well Rocky and Rosie are no exception and the time had come to re-relocate some of their mud!!!

When Rosie was called for “the big trip upstairs” she remained fairly cool …. She has an enormously sweet nature and is a very happy and bouncy Otterhound.

However, her pal Mij called for her incessantly while she was in the bathroom and although Rocky sidled up and tried to reassure her she would not cease until Rosie came out of the bathroom (all fluffy and sweet smelling).

A shower was a new experience for Rosie, although not actively enjoying it she did put up with it with good grace.

When we had finally managed to wet her coat right through (Otterhounds have a double coat – an almost waterproof one underneath), the shampooing began. A very bright and clean Otterhound emerged at the end of our labours.

A warm towel made short work of drying Rosie (a benefit of Otterhounds – they dry very quickly) and she was lovely and fluffy in no time.

It was then Rocky’s turn to be called ……. Any idea about his feelings on the subject?

Every picture tells a story!!

Rocky has a tremendous character and once you get to know him it is so easy to tell how he feels …… He is such a clown, rather stubborn and always unbelievably endearing!

Although reasonably happy to sit in the shower cubical we were left in no doubt that he knew that water was involved in this activity at some point.

Rocky seemed to occupy his mind with trying to see how much of his tongue he could stick out at you at any given time!

But by the time it was all finished he had relented and started to tuck his “prolific” tongue away again.

The warm towel at the end reassured him; in fact this is his favourite part of bathing ……. He likes to chunter to himself and try to catch whichever bit of towel you are holding …….. It generally turns into quite a game!

After calling for Rocky while he was bathed, Rosie was very pleased to see him emerge from the bathroom.

The post bath game began and is a sight to see …….. Mad fits abound and it is all so energetic and good natured ……. No rules, no sense of who follows who ……. Just run around and have a jolly good time!!

This time of course we had two gorgeous hounds in full flight!!

Post charge, Rocky likes to rub himself all over his sofa and, letting out an enormous sigh, settles down for a post bath relax.

Rosie has other ideas however and tries to entice Rocky into another run around.

Once Rocky is off his sofa, Rosie decides to turn her attention to Mij ……. Just to see if she wants to join in you understand.

Rocky quickly gets the idea and decides to put all his energy into tempting Mij to join in the game too …….

However, having two (now strange smelling) hounds jumping up and down in front of her …….. Mij heads for the hills …….. Well, upstairs really but you know what I mean!!

“You duz not zmell like me mates ….. I’m off”!!

This all has a calming effect on our hounds who settle down again.

Rocky decides to inspect Rosie closer …… “Mmmm, I see what she means ……. You smell all pretty”!!

Little does our hero know ……. He smells the same!!

Sitting nicely for their “good boy” treats Rosie remains quite excited …..

“I feel different …. Sort of soft and scrummy … Can we do it again soon”?

Rocky however, is left with one question ……..

“Why did you wetted me”? “You know I don’t really like getting wetted”!!!!!

Eventually, after their treats, our hounds settle down to recover some of the energy they have expended.

That night, Rosie snuggled up in her blanket, all soft and warm.

Rocky, on the other hand, preferred to be a bit more laid back!

Night night Rocky, dream of warm water and great fun!