As you have probably already found, it is very difficult to find any info on Otterhounds.
In a nutshell-they are large, loveable, clumsy, sloppy, stubborn, hounds. Life with an Otterhound is never dull. Their sense of smell is very highly developed; unfortunately, the other senses, especially their hearing, is not as keen-however they have no trouble hearing the refrigerator door or the cookie jar being opened. Training is a challenge-they do require consistency and persistence. Most Otterhounds cannot be trusted off leash. House manners are much easier to train, but they excel in counter-surfing and don't understand that they are not lap dogs.
Because our gene pool is so small, we are seeing more health problems in our wonderful breed. The most notable is a seizure disorder-impossible to predict when and where it will pop up. Hip dysplasia is evident on most x-rays, though it is very rare that an Otterhound will exhibit any symptoms. Having an oily skin, Ohounds are prone to sebaceous cysts, which are usually just a nuisance and heal on their own. Ear infections are another problem, which can be kept to a minimum with weekly cleaning. Otherwise, Ohounds tend to be very healthy and active throughout their lifespan of 10-12 years.
Grooming is relatively simple. Because they have a harsh coat and little undercoat, they do not shed clumps of hair, but do shed a few hairs regularly. Like all dogs, they require at least a weekly brushing with a good pin-brush or comb-they WILL MAT if not brushed regularly. Their oily skin does have an odor-our philosophy is that if you can smell them, wash them. We recommend using a dog shampoo formulated for terriers.
Otterhounds can be very sloppy. While they generally do not slobber like a St Bernard, their beard is constantly wet due to the fact that they drink from the bottom of the bucket-and they love to share. Otterhounds all believe that their owners want them to rub their wet faces on your lap. While there has not been any formal research, we are sure that Otterhounds would be able to make mud in the middle of a desert. Their feet and beards pick up loads of debris.