|
| First Dog | Dog Care | Dog Training | Dog Feeding | Dog Health | Dog Breeding | Dog Showing | OutDoor Dogs | Working Dogs | Careers with Dogs | Forum | Pet Links | Site Map | Home | |
KERRY BEAGLE |
||||||||
Additonal Breeds Starting With Letter:
Pet Sites
 |
From very early
times, a large distinctive scent-hound has trod the Emerald Isle. He most
likely arrived with the Celts and has been refined over the years with
crosses to the Southern Hound and French hounds.
By the 18th
and 19th centuries, their numbers had dwindled until they were primarily
in only one kennel owned by the Ryan family of Scar-teen, County Limerick.
With interest in native breeds growing, however, there are now a good
number of fine packs with Kerry Beagles hunted throughout rural Ireland.
Many specimens came with Irish immigrants to the USA, where they contributed
to the famous Trigg strain of American Foxhounds as well as being one
of the major stems of the American Black and Tan Coonhound. The breed
is unsponsored by any formal dog organization, even in its homeland.
The origin of
his description as "beagle" is unknown, as he was never a small
dog like the familiar Beagle. In fact, in earlier times, he was even larger,
but has carried the label of Beagle for centuries. The present-day word
for the breed in the Irish language is pocadan, which describes
him as a hunting dog. In the beginning, he was mainly used for stag hunting,
a sport requiring speed and stamina. He is now generally utilized for
hare hunts as well as drag trials.
The exhilarating
sport of foot hunting for hare is pursued in Ireland mainly for the enjoyment
of following a fine pack of hounds. Watching these dogs from a high vantage
point as they work the rocky mountainsides is a never-ending thrill, and
listening to their beautiful voices echo across the valleys culminates
the hunt. The Native Dogs of Ireland says that, "it is extremely
rare if a hare is caught. The Hunt Master invariably calls off the hounds
should the hare be in any danger or distress."
Drag trials
are held in Ireland for the Kerry Beagle. The Kerry hounds fan out in
a large circle when casting, and automatically turn to the first dog that
finds the scent and indicates it by "opening" with a loud bay.
They have astonishing speed and independence.
The Kerry Beagle
sports long ears, full chops and a robust, athletic build. The black-and-tan
jacketing is the classic coat, although a great variety of other "hound"
colors as tan or red bicol-ors, tricolors, or even the very rare blue-mottled
(merle) color, are seen and allowed. One 19th-century writer's description
of him as "an indifferent bloodhound" was not meant to be unflattering,
but merely indicated that they looked much like a Bloodhound without the
exaggeration of bone and skin. One hopes that sufficient interest is maintained
in this ancient Irish hound to ultimately find it included among the recognized
and exhibited dogs of the world.
|
