PuppyBase

Norfolk Terrier vs Otterhound

Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.

Perfect Puppy Quiz · 5 questions · 90 seconds

Not sure which breed fits your life?

Answer five questions about your home, your schedule, and your tolerance for shedding. We’ll match you to your top three breeds from over 200.

The bottom line

Norfolk Terrier vs Otterhound

You probably wouldn’t think to compare a Norfolk Terrier and an Otterhound until you’re standing in a muddy field, one dog barking up a tree at a squirrel and the other splashing through a river like a happy, bearded sea monster. But people do compare them. mostly because they’re both rare British working breeds with big personalities and that rugged, “I’ve seen things” face. That’s where the similarity ends. The Norfolk Terrier is your pocket-sized firecracker. At just 11 pounds, it’s light enough to toss in a backpack, but don’t be fooled. it’s built for action. It wants to be part of every family moment, adores kids who can keep up, and will boss around animals half its size. It’s scrappy, smart, and stubborn in that classic terrier way. You’ll need time for training and outlets for that high energy, but it’s a loyal, affectionate companion that adapts well to city life. just don’t expect silence. Then there’s the Otterhound: a 100-pound, shaggy, drooling, joyful disaster of a dog. It’s built like a draft horse with a mop on top, and it loves water, mud, and baying at anything that moves. It’s surprisingly trainable for a hound, but that voice is loud and its nose will always win over your recall. It needs space, a yard, and a hose. Kids might overwhelm it, and forget about apartment living. Pick the Norfolk if you want a bold, portable pal who thrives on adventure and family. Pick the Otterhound if you’ve got land, a sense of humor, and don’t mind washing dog off your walls. Here’s the real talk: the Norfolk will challenge your patience with barking. The Otterhound will test your commitment to laundry. But neither will love you more fiercely. in their own messy, loud, utterly devoted way.

Norfolk Terrier
Otterhound
9–10 in
Height
24–27 in
11–12 lb
Weight
80–115 lb
12–16 yr
Lifespan
10–13 yr
$2.0–4.5k
Puppy price
$1.5–4.0k
#126
AKC popularity
#182

Trait-by-trait

Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.
Affectionate w/ Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Dogs
Shedding Level
Coat Grooming
Drooling Level
Good with Strangers
Playfulness
Watchdog / Protective
Adaptability
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Mental Stimulation Needs
AffectionGood w/ KidsGood w/ DogsShedding LevelGroomingDrooling LevelGood w/ StrangersPlayfulnessProtectiveAdaptabilityTrainabilityEnergy LevelBarking LevelMental Stim.
Norfolk Terrier Otterhound
Overlay

Where they diverge

Good with Young Children
Norfolk Terrier is better with kids (2-point difference)
Norfolk
Drooling Level
Norfolk Terrier drools less (2-point difference)
Norfolk
Shedding Level
Otterhound sheds less (1-point difference)
Otterhound
Good with Strangers
Norfolk Terrier is friendlier with strangers (1-point difference)
Norfolk
Playfulness
Norfolk Terrier is more playful (1-point difference)
Norfolk
The verdict

Choose the Norfolk Terrier if…

  • Active families
  • Apartment or small home living
  • Families with older children
  • You value good with young childrenNorfolk Terrier scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Otterhound if…

  • Active families
  • Rural settings
  • Outdoor and swimming enthusiasts
  • You value drooling levelOtterhound scores higher here.
Norfolk Terrier Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Norfolk Terrier home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide
Otterhound Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Otterhound home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide

Other comparisons people run