The Kerry Beagle ( Irish : An Pocadán Ciarraíoch ) is the only extant scent hound breed native to Ireland.
6-553: Despite its name, the Kerry Beagle is a small hound. Beag is an Irish word for small, given to the dog because it is smaller than other hounds; with its height being between 56–61 cm (22–24 in), and its weight up to 27 kg (60 lb). The Kerry Beagle has a broad head, a short coat and long ears, black and tan is the more common colour but the coat may be tan and white, blue mottled and tan or black. The breed's looks suggests speed and endurance. This breed of dog
12-493: Is a pack hound and does hold the hunting instinct strong. They do however make very good pets as they are good with children and other dogs. They require a lot of exercise, regular twice to three times daily walks and free runs. The Kerry Beagle believed to date back to the 16th century; detailed pedigrees date back as far as 1794. By the 1800s the Kerry Beagle's numbers had dwindled in Ireland, with only one major pack maintained,
18-531: Is thought to derive from the Irish word beag meaning 'small'. The Kerry Beagle was only recognized by the Irish Kennel Club in 1991. Scarteen 52°25′33″N 8°22′16″W / 52.4257°N 8.3712°W / 52.4257; -8.3712 Scarteen ( Irish : An Scairtín , meaning 'small thicket') is a townland in the civil parish of Ballyscaddan, County Limerick , near
24-541: The Irish War of Independence . Hunt master Thady Ryan (1923–2005) increased the hunt's cachet among visitors from Great Britain and the United States and, later, Continental Europe. Ryan was chef d'equipe of the Irish eventing team at the 1964 and 1968 Olympics. As of 2016 the hunt was mastered by Thady Ryan's son Chris Ryan. This article related to the geography of County Limerick , Ireland
30-565: The famous Scarteen of County Limerick belonging to the Ryan family, which still exists today. Originally bred as staghounds , today they are used to hunt fox and hare and take part in drag hunting . The Kerry Beagle was taken by many Irish immigrants to the Americas, and is considered a foundation breed in the development of the Coonhound and American foxhound. The name 'Beagle'
36-555: The village of Knocklong in Ireland. Scarteen is best known for the Scarteen Hunt , a fox hunting pack of Kerry Beagles based at Scarteen House , a big house owned since the 1750s by the Ryan family, one of the few Catholic gentry of Penal times . The dogs' coat pattern gave the hunt its nickname, the "Black and Tans", later applied derisively to sections of the Royal Irish Constabulary during
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