Rocky the Otterhound, an endangered breed: March 2009

This week has been fairly mundane with no new events. Rosie has been coming to the end of her convalescence and Rocky has been completely chilled about the whole thing. Regular (but shorter) walks and games at home have continued but a weekend expedition has not taken place.

This state of affairs has, however, given us an opportunity …….. Often, when talking to interested people (those who inevitably ask what breed Rocky and Rosie are), I have suggested viewing his blog to see his growth from puppy-hood onwards. There are many installments since Rocky arrived with us though! So, Rocky thought it would be a good idea to compare photos of him growing up to give a sort of quick guide to the growth of an Otterhound. I thought it was quite a good idea too …….. This is not just for potential owners, I also find it difficult to remember each stage from when we had Rocky ….. Existing owners may find this amusing ……

So here it is:-

Step 1 –

Visit very young puppies, go a bit gaga, fall in love, step back and await growth …….

…….. This step can be missed out.

7 wks
Step 2 –

Revisit when pups are 7 weeks and make a final choice on which pupling you intend to grow on.

This step is not as simple as it seems, they are all utterly adorable at this age …… So if visiting with your partner/family ensure all are in a good mood to avoid conflict!

2 mths
Step 3

At 8 weeks (this is the age Rocky came home), collect your bundle of joy …… If taking your pupling home includes a car journey, ensure you carry equipment for clearing up after a car sick baby.

You may not need this but most very young pups will have an element of car sickness, your partner/family may be a little perturbed by having to share room with pup’s breakfast!

9 wks

There is no need to place your pupling in a pot of warm compost …….. Otterhound pups appear to be quite at home with ordinary mud from the garden ….. One expense spared!
As a family pet though, your pupling will need to live with you in your home, but regular trips to afore mentioned garden mud are very important. Oh, and don’t forget to feed and water regularly as this will be necessary to promote healthy growth!

3 mths
Step 4-

Alongside ordinary measures to promote healthy growth a liberal sprinkling of love, affection and play will ensure a healthy look to you pupling. Provision of added fertiliser in the shape of toys should always be added; we have found that this negates the need to buy new household equipment such as furniture and carpets!

Your pupling should now be big enough to make a lovely show in your garden.

It is not necessary to prick out any unwanted growth as nature will tackle any wayward growth in its own time. They really are quite low maintenance, but a good sense of humour (impossible not to have with this breed) will avoid any major damage which may be caused by unexpected burst of laughter coming from within you!

14 wks
Step 5-

Place your pupling in a sunny position wherever possible. Your pupling may need varying microclimates at different times, so all you need to do is provide them. Don’t worry if you are a first time grower …….. Your pupling will naturally migrate towards whichever climate is needed at the time!

By now you will be in a good routine of feeding, watering, playing and provision of necessary mud!

4 mths
Step 6-

At this stage your pupling will be continuing a need for rest. Resting your pupling provides the right environment for growth and assimilation of learning. Don’t be fooled by this hounds seeming need for repetition of commands ……. This breed learns by stealth and (as with all types of pupling) manipulation is attempted at every turn.

5 months
Step 7-

By this time your Otterhound is obviously bigger and as a result the need for mud appears to increase. Continue to feed and water but don’t forget to continually increase the amount in order to keep up with the demands for growth.

Warning ….. Your home will be continually invaded by bouts of mirth and merriment. To avoid injury do not attempt to remain stoically grumpy or bad tempered.

6 mths
Step 8-

This stage sees consolidation of invasion of territory. When given a whole garden and home your pupling will invade all available space. Your Otterhound will make a wonderful show wherever it has spread to though, and many neighbours (and passing strangers) may stop to enquire about the wonderful show you have provided!

7 mths

As you can see from this specimen ……. Sleep continues to remain very important to your growing Otterhound pupling.

Even though more space is taken over by these events the view will remain pleasing.

8 mths
Step 9-

Up until now I have concentrated on the home grown aspect of pupling raising. This seems to be a good point to tell you about the ongoing need of outside fertiliser. Although not previously mentioned this is a need which continues from a tender age.

The provision of fertiliser from outside its immediate growth area will ensure that your pupling has rounded growth. By this I mean that any outside influence that may penetrate your puplings environment will not be able to slow growth or produce “scaredicatishness”. As with most puplings, “scaredicatishness” is an unwanted trait you need to grow your pupling out of – Although a small sprinkling (such as ongoing suspicion of water) may remain. This sprinkling does add to the endearment of your pupling I must say!

9 months
Step 10-

It is at this stage that your pupling may be showing obvious signs of wilt!

Wilt may appear as face fur or, in this case, head fatigue! Do not worry; your growing skills are not failing you ….. This is a perfectly natural state which will result in a well rounded pupling on maturity!

10 mths
Step 11-

In warm to hot weather liberally water your pupling. You may notice a resistance to this much needed step but perseverance will pay off in the end. However, do not worry if your tending’s during this stage have not paid off. Our specimen (Rocky) continues to have an adverse reaction to this necessity without spoiling the overall pupling!

11 mths

A return of wilt may happen from time to time (or fairly routinely), do not panic …… Your pupling can remain in strong growth despite this!

1 yr

This is a good time to take stock of how your pupling is growing. It is easy to compare to previous times and will almost certainly give you a sense of achievement.

This is also a good time to plan how you intend to continue your puplings growth!

13 months
Step 12 –

Having decided to enhance your puplings growth throw in a spattering of obvious admiration for you pupling. I have found this tends to bring about a spate of head raising and stern waving, which I find particularly attractive!

14 months
Step 13 –

Prepare yourself for some possible difficulties to come ……. Your pupling is entering into the teenage stage of growth!

15 mths
Step 14 –

Ensure you increase outside fertilisation wherever possible …… This will help alleviate the stress your pupling may be experiencing by entering into the teenage stage and allow them ample space to give voice to their joy!.

Although the teenage stage may provide challenges during this stage of Otterhound growing, I suspect it is no more than that of any other pupling growth. So do not worry, all growers go through and come out of this stage unscathed!

16 mths

Another good time to take stock of how well your Otterhound has grown!

Take time to congratulate yourself on the development of a truly wonderful specimen!!

17 mths
Step 15 –

Your puplings need for garden mud continues alongside other day to day needs. You may be finding that this particular need overspills into the home from time to time (or on a regular basis). This is not unusual and may be tackled in the normal way.

18 mths

The need for sleep to enhance growing may be uppermost. Remember to provide for individual needs which you should by now be able to predict.

Your feeling of joy from rearing one of these puplings will not diminish!

19 mths –
Step 16 –

A quick word about cold weather and frosts ……. There is no need to protect from this sort of weather event, unlike some smaller breeds -
Although it may result in bouncing, tearing about and general mayhem it is very endearing to watch and may provide you with some of the best laughs of puplings life so far!!

20 mths

Step back and enjoy your handy-work ……..Your pupling is fast approaching maturity and it’s time to enjoy your hard work.

Continue with the above steps and you will always get looks of admiration when seen with your pupling right up to maturity and beyond! You will have had, and will continue to have, frequent bouts of laughter and general amusement in your life and (I am very sure) you will be very pleased you chose to raise one of these rare but beautiful puplings!!

This week has seen a change of pace for Rocky and Rosie, but being Otterhounds this has presented no problem for them …… Happy to fit in with your plans and lifestyle whatever this may be ……… What great dogs to have!!

The beginning of the week saw them being asked to pose for “dad’s” new phone camera ……. Yes; he has a “stealth night vision camera” on his phone ……. Man …… New Toy ….. Equals playtime!!! Still, it did produce some interestingly “GREEN” Otterhound pics!!

Rocky and Rosie continued to enjoy their daily walks and fun and games.

The longer daylight hours are giving our hounds more walks in the daylight and, of course, that means more time off lead during the week in the fenced fields.

Rosie is growing up and is really looking more like an Otterhound now.

Rocky has learned that the privilege of walking off lead in the field is dependant on him coming when called.

This is not a chore for him as we have ensured that he is not always called to go back on the lead …… Sometimes it’s for fusses and loves (although he is now a big boy – he seems to get cuddlier and cuddlier) which he adores …… And sometimes it’s for treats …… Which he also adores!!

For now at least, this is ensuring a happy to be recalled Rocky!

Smiley Otterhound!!

Perhaps it is familiarity with his walking environment, no new things to distract him? …….. But I guess I’d have to be a dog whisperer to really know (which I’m not). But whatever it is, he will come all the way up to you without any sign of being obstinate ……… So much less frustrating than the training stage!!!

Meanwhile, Rosie has learned the art of waiting in ambush ……. Like Rocky, she seems to be under the assumption that because you have made the effort to look small – No-one can see you!! It’s really quite funny if you see them both do it!!

Rocky, bless him, tries to play the game …… “Oh, where’s Rosie ….. I can’t see her”?

“No, she’s not over there either”?

“Oh my, what a surprise …… There she is”!!

“Hello Rosie …. You did surprise me”!

After being found it is, of course, playtime!!

Bouncy Otterhounds!

A change of pace came mid week after Rosie had to go to the vets …… She came back with a few stitches.

She is perfectly fine, but needs a bit of TLC for a while …… This, for Rocky, means letting her cuddle up to him and having shorter walks for a little while.