Otterhound Coats and Colors

Otterhounds have a shaggy, coarse coat with length anywhere between 2-4 inches.  Otterhounds can come in many color combinations, and the most common color for an Otterhound is black & tan.  Otterhound colors include black & tan (can be a light gray and blonde with a “saddle”), wheaten/blonde, red grizzle, liver & tan (can vary from medium dark brown to very light), black (or almost black with lighter markings on the head and feet), and tri or parti-color (white or off-white with patches that may be very faint).  Otterhounds change their color more than most any other breed as you will see on this page.  Below are exemplars of otterhound coloring for puppies and adults.  

Black and Tan Puppies

Black and Tan Puppy

Black and Tan Puppy

Black and Tan Puppy

Black and Tan Adults

Some remain very dark; others retain a black saddle or blanket;  others turn almost wheaten.

Wheaten/Blond

Wheaten puppy and the same dog as an adult

Wheaten puppies

Wheaten Puppy

Wheaten Adults

Some Wheaten pups can grow up to look like the red grizzle above.

Liver and Tan
Can Vary from medium dark brown to very light

Liver and tan puppies are often the color of chocolate labs but they change.

Liver and Tan Adults
Some remain dark but some are as light as wheatens

This adult kept a dark saddle.

This adult turned quite blonde like a wheaten but has a liver nose not a black nose.

Tri or Parti-Color White or Off-white with Patches of liver, tan black

This Tri pup grew up to be the dog below that looks black and tan.

She appears to be black and tan as an adult but was registered as a Tri, her birth color.

This tri appears tan and white, but note the black nose and brown eye and black in saddle.

This is the same tri as a puppy

The color variety in Otterhounds adds to their charm.