How much does a Otterhound puppy cost?

Otterhound puppies cost $1500 to $4000 because breeding them is anything but simple. This breed ranks 182nd in AKC popularity, meaning there aren’t many breeders actively working with them. Low demand doesn’t mean low overhead—quite the opposite. Responsible breeders spend heavily on health testing, especially since Otterhounds are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, and the serious inherited condition thrombocytopenia. Testing both parents for these issues isn’t optional if you want to reduce risk, and those vet bills get built into the puppy’s price. Then there’s the breeding process itself: Otterhounds have relatively small litters, often just 3–5 puppies, so the costs of caring for the dam and raising the litter have to be spread over fewer buyers. Add in their massive size—80 to 115 pounds—and you’re looking at higher feeding, medical, and housing costs during rearing. A puppy priced below $1500 should raise red flags. That’s likely cutting corners: no health testing, poor living conditions, or worst case, a puppy mill. You’re not just paying for a dog—you’re paying for genetic screening, ethical management, and preserving a rare breed. With so few Otterhounds being responsibly bred each year, the math only works if the price reflects real effort and expense.