O - Otterhound, Old English Bulldog, Old English Sheepdog
This post has an old feel about it as the Otterhound is an old British dog breed.
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| Two Otterhounds |
The Otterhound, one of the ancestral breeds for the Airedale Terrier (see A), is now a Vulnerable Native Breed. A scent hound it was, as the name suggests, bred for hunting otters.
Otters have been on the list of protective species since the late 1970s and otter hunting has ceased. The number of Otterhounds has decreased despite some switching to hunting mink.
As I boy I remember going on otter hunts on the River Chater in Rutland. I wouldn't be telling the truth if I said I remembered the hounds - I never saw an otter either.
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| Old English Bulldog |
This chap we met on a walk at the Portrack Nature Reserve at Stockton-on-Tees. This ancient breed was developed for bull-baiting around the 13th century. Now that;s a 'sport' I'm glad no longer exists.
I'm sure we would all recognise the 'Dulux' dog from the advertisements.
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| Old English Sheepdog |
Once known as the 'Bobtail' English Sheepdog due it's docked stubby tail, the Old English Sheepdog makes many fictional appearances. The one I always remember is 'Boot' in the strip cartoon "The Perishers" in the Daily Mirror.
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| The first Perishers' cartoon |
Other Sheepdog stars were Colonel in "One Hundred and One Dalmatians" and Digby in "The Biggest Dog in the World."
5 comments:
Hi Bob - love the look of the Otter Hounds .. I'm glad we're recognising when breeds are dying out and can thus be saved - they look very cuddly!
The Bulldog is the 'British dog' isn't it .. at least that's the way I relate to it .. they're not pretty!
Dulux on the other hand must smell delicious .. so well brushed up! Colonel was an endearing character ...
I don't remember the Perishers .. but am sure I've read some of them .. and Boot looks a star!
Cheers Hilary
I love the way the Otter hounds look! Never heard of them but as Hilary says, they look cuddly for what seems to be a good-sized dog. Living in the state of Georgia, we see bulldogs everywhere though not the British, I don't think, and not necessarily real ones. So many statues and bumper stickers because our state football (American) team is the Georgia Bulldogs! I never heard of the Perishers, but did see the Colonel in Dalmatians...
http://otterhound.org/ after reading your post I responded but it didn't show, and I also Googled Otter Hounds and found the above link for Otter Hounds in the States. Seems as if, even though they look cuddly, as Hilary says, their outer coat is rough. I love they way they look! Here in Georgia, we have bulldogs all over the state, statues and bumper stickers, because our state football (American of course) team is the Georgia Bulldogs. Pretty sure they are "British" or "Old English", but they could be...
The Old English Sheepdog is definitely fit to be a fictional character, so cute. Like, you I never saw a otter or hounds, but am pretty sure I've seen a bulldog.
Silvia @
SilviaWrites
Always remember friends with an Old English Sheepdog. The dog's name was George and the husband's name was Rex!!! I didn't know the Otter Hounds either. Pity if they are allowed to die out and God Forbid we allow the British Bulldog to die out.
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