Rocky the Otterhound: The Otterhound secret!

This week saw an expedition to the lanes on the fringe of the plain.

Rocky and Rosie were very happy to be out and about in the countryside again and eager to find any new scents for their scenting bones.

They were lucky enough to come across a horse and trap for the second time.

Rocky was big and brave enough to be simply curious. Rosie, on the other hand, still found it rather disconcerting!

Well, she is still rather young you know, just an Otterhound baby really!

But Otterhounds are not dogs that are easily daunted by their experiences ......... It wasn't long until she was joining Rocky in enjoying the long grass and all the smells it held.

There are a lot of similarities between Rocky and Rosie, despite their differing personalities .......

........ So once they get into the same "mind set" it is not unusual to see them doing the same things at the same time!!!

Like synchronised grass combing!!

Or synchronised kerb crawling (!?).

Rosie seems to be a bit less sure of herself though and likes to keep pretty close to us ......... Or Rocky.

It is impossible for her to do both, generally, as once off the lead Rocky likes to keep a bit of distance between us ....... He's very self contained you know!

Whether behind us or in front, he likes to stride out and explore all the opportunities we are presenting him with.

Followed, of course, by Rosie!

Occasionally Rosie will get engrossed in her own thing and realise that she has become out of step with Rocky ........

Then, like all good friends, she will hang around and wait for him!

Rocky is still apt to get side tracked, a new smell here or an interesting stick there ........

Undeterred, Rosie will wait patiently for her best mate to catch up with her.

Then its into full Otterhound trot ....... Catch up with us .......... a brief "hello mum", then on past us to see what's up ahead.

They are faithful, in their own Otterhound way!

If a little far ahead they will wait (almost patiently) for you to catch up.

Especially if the temperature is high ........

During hot weather you almost get the feeling that they would prefer you to walk slower ....... So that they can have a longer period of luxuriating in the cool grass!

Up and onwards again, and it becomes necessary to lift your Otterhound nose off the ground and stop scenting occasionally.

It can be hard enough to see where your going with a full (and long) fringe, let alone keeping your eyes and nose on the ground as well!

But almost a millennia of breeding have equipped our hounds with the ability to excite the scenting bones and move forward, without banging into too many things ........ On the whole!

After walking for quite a while, us humans decided it was time to turn around and head for a pub lunch.

No problem really ...... Except perhaps the fact that our Rocky may not want to go back the other way .......... The standing still and staring at us gave us the clue .......

How do you get a "possibly" stubborn Otterhound to go the way you want to go .......

..... Easy ......... Walk on ....... Make sure he's not looking ......... Then dive behind a hedge!!

Rocky likes to make out he's big, brave and doesn't really need us (like most teenagers). He does, however, tend to keep looking your way from time to time ........ Just to make sure all is as it should be. Deprive him of his view of you and ..........

.......... He will pelt "hell for leather" to find you!!! Bringing Rosie with him of course!

Ahhh, see ...... He does love us!!!

Jumping out on them provides the opportunity for hugs, loves and lots of pats and tail wags ......... Lovely!!

A short burst of running in the heat of the day makes our Otterhounds want to sit in the shade for a while ......

You'd think we had run him for miles wouldn't you?!!

Well; while they were taking full advantage of the cool grass, we had a nice shower of rain ........ The temperature fell ...... Just a little ....... And before we knew it .........

....... We had two bouncy Otterhounds!!

Otterhounds that bounced ......... And bounced .........

....... And bounced!!!!

The "tired teddy's" we had had a moment before had disappeared!

Hidden stamina! ...... That must be it! ........ The Otterhound secret!! You know, that secret they won't let you in on unless they have to .......

Just like to make you feel bad, they do ....... Cunning Otterhounds!!

The rest of the walk gave us no sign of the tiredness we had seen before.

But there is a serious side to this ....... They are just not hot weather dogs ........ So walks need to be tailored to suit ........

I already have plans for an Otterhound paddling pool come the really hot weather (which I hope we will have!).

Anyway, with the temperature nicely cooled a degree or so Rocky was as happy as a sand boy to continue back to the pub.

While little Rosie snorted and snuffled about in the grass enjoying the sensation of tickled scenting bones.

Our two happy hounds had a lovely cool drink and a rest at the pub.

While we indulged in a little pub lunch ........ Ahhh, we love summer!!

Mind you, ever on the hunt ......... Our Rocky insisted on resting with at least one eye on our lunch ........

......... Never misses a trick ........

Clever Otterhound!!

Back home in the cool of the house ..........

......... They were out like lights!!

Sleep well Rosie ......

Night night Rocky, dream of cool grass and lovely scents!