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 The beautiful but freezing weather has been replaced by fairly warm and wet weather (Yuk!!).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!