A Magnificent Hound

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198 – March, 2026

By Lee Connor

Have you ever seen a wild otter?

Despite being born and growing up in the land that brought us such classics as ‘Tarka the Otter’ (a master class of exquisitely beautiful writing and a book that has never been out of print since first being published in 1927), and ‘Ring of Bright Water’ (which documented Gavin Max-well’s life in the wilds of Scotland, and his close association with several wild otters–and is also considered a literary masterpiece), I hadn’t actually seen a wild otter until I visited Vancouver back in 2017.

My close-up encounter with that huge, dog otter was quite extraordinary–occurring on a busy city sidewalk in broad daylight, the otter padding along, just doing his thing!

I was immediately struck by the sheer size and power of these beautiful animals, and (being of a doggy mind) I then thought about the strength and sheer bravery of any dog willing to face such a formidable foe.

Of course, there is one breed whose history and very “raison d’être” is inextricably linked to this marvelous mustelid.

I am, of course, talking about the Otterhound.

Click here to read the complete article
198 – March, 2026

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