otter hound

Thân thiện

An otter hound runs along a riverbank with its nose to the ground.

Definition

Noun: A breed of large, hardy dog originally developed in Britain for hunting otters. It is characterized by a distinctive, rough, shaggy double coat with a water-resistant oily undercoat, and long, pendulous ears.

Usage and Examples

• The otter hound was once a crucial working dog for controlling otter populations along British rivers.
• With its webbed feet and unique coat, the otter hound is an exceptionally strong swimmer.
• Due to the decline in otter hunting, the otter hound is now a very rare breed, often seen in dog shows rather than in the field.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used attributively (like an adjective) to describe characteristics related to the breed.
  • Example: "She specializes in otter hound rescue and rehabilitation."

Variants and Related Words

• Otterhound: This is the modern, single-word spelling for the breed name, which is now more commonly used than the two-word form "otter hound."
• Hound: A general type of dog used for hunting, often by scent.
• Water dog: A general term for breeds bred for retrieving from water.

Synonyms and Similar Terms

• Hound
• Water dog
• Scent hound (as the breed hunts primarily by scent)

Notes on Different Meanings

• The term specifically refers to the distinct breed of dog. It is not a general term for any hound that might chase an otter.
• The two-word form "otter hound" is often considered the historical or descriptive name, while "Otterhound" is the standardized breed name.

Học thuật

Noun

1. hardy British hound having long pendulous ears and a thick coarse shaggy coat with an oily undercoat; bred for hunting otters

Từ đồng nghĩa

• otterhound