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8 Rare Dog Breeds Facing Extinction

An Otterhound with a shaggy, wet coat stands in a shallow, sunlit river in the English countryside.
The rare, shaggy Otterhound shakes off water while splashing through a shallow forest stream.

The Otterhound: Rarer Than the Giant Panda

Originally bred in medieval England, the Otterhound was developed for a highly specific, grueling purpose: hunting otters in cold, winding rivers to protect local fish populations.

To achieve this, the breed developed distinctive physical traits, including large webbed feet, a dense, shaggy waterproof coat, and an incredibly powerful sense of smell. They are large, boisterous dogs with a deep, melodious baying voice that can carry for miles.

When the United Kingdom officially banned otter hunting in 1978, the Otterhound lost its traditional job overnight. Without a working role, their numbers plummeted as hunters stopped breeding them.

Today, there are fewer than 1,000 Otterhounds left in the entire world, making them rarer than the Giant Panda,. Despite their massive size and specialized instincts, they make exceptionally affectionate, joyful family companions who love splashing in any body of water they can find.

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1 Comment

  1. When I was a kid I grew up was 15 dogs and 12 cats. Now I own one dog and a desert turtle. I love animals if I can have another dog I would but I can’t afford another dog my dog is a pitbull and she is my friend and she is a dog that helps me get through my depression and my PTSD and ADHD

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