Otterhounds are good with kids, too, but a young Otterhound is big and likely to be klutzy and may not be the best companion for a wobbly toddler or a frail elderly person. Otterhounds have a relatively long life span of 10 to 13 years They are usually quite slow to mature, both physically and mentally. Though some Otterhounds have a fair amount of coat they do not shed a great deal. Expect to brush an OH on a weekly basis to keep the coat from matting. Most OHs aren't slobbery dogs, but they've got beards, long ears and BIG hairy feet that get into their water bowls, food dishes, and any available mud, and then spread it around.
Otterhounds have a deep bay, a lovely melodious sound, which carries amazingly well.
As a large dog with an impressively deep voice, an Otterhound can make a good watch dog, but their friendly nature makes them poor candidates as guard dogs. Young Otterhounds need and want a fair amount of exercise, so you do need a fenced area for them, and if it isn't big, you'd better like long walks or dog jogging. Otterhounds are not good candidates for walking off leash. Training OHs takes some patience, as they can be stubborn. Their considerable size makes training something you DO NOT want to ignore.