Kerry Beagle facts for kids
Kerry Beagles circa 1915
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| Origin | Ireland |
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| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | |
The Kerry Beagle (called An Pocadán Ciarraíoch in Irish) is a special dog breed from Ireland. It's the only type of scent hound that originally comes from Ireland and is still around today. Scent hounds are dogs that use their amazing sense of smell to follow trails.
Contents
About the Kerry Beagle
How They Look
Even though it's called a 'Beagle', the Kerry Beagle is quite different from the smaller Beagle dog you might know. It's a medium-sized hound. These dogs usually stand about 56 to 61 centimeters (22 to 24 inches) tall. They can weigh up to 27 kilograms (60 pounds).
Kerry Beagles have a wide head, a short coat of fur, and long, floppy ears. The most common color for their coat is black and tan. However, you might also see them with tan and white fur, or even a mix of blue mottled and tan, or just black. Their strong build shows they are built for speed and can keep going for a long time.
Their Personality
Kerry Beagles are known as "pack hounds." This means they love to be part of a group, whether it's with other dogs or their human family. They have a very strong natural hunting instinct.
Despite their hunting background, Kerry Beagles can make wonderful family pets. They are usually very good with children and get along well with other dogs. Just remember, they need a lot of exercise! They should have regular walks, two or three times a day, and plenty of time to run freely.
History and Use
A Breed with Deep Roots
The Kerry Beagle is a very old breed, believed to have existed since the 16th century. We even have detailed family trees for some of these dogs going all the way back to 1794. By the 1800s, there were not many Kerry Beagles left in Ireland.
However, one important group of these dogs, called the Scarteen pack, was kept alive. This famous pack belongs to the Ryan family in County Limerick and is still active today. They have helped keep the breed going for centuries.
What They Do Today
Originally, Kerry Beagles were bred to hunt large animals like stags. Today, they are mostly used to hunt smaller animals such as foxes and hares. They also take part in an activity called drag hunting. In drag hunting, dogs follow a scent trail that has been laid out by people, rather than hunting a live animal.
Influence on Other Breeds
Many Irish people who moved to the Americas took their Kerry Beagles with them. These dogs played an important role in creating new dog breeds there. They are considered a "foundation breed" for the development of the Coonhounds, which are popular hunting dogs in America.
The name 'Beagle' for this dog is thought to come from the Irish word 'beag'. The word 'beag' means 'small'.
