Anyone know about Kerry Beagles?

[diplodocus]

We have what we thought was a rescue mutt from Ireland and people have variously suggested spaniel / hound / JRT / beagle ancestry. However, someone the other day asked if she was a Kerry Beagle, and when I googled she does look exactly like one, only maybe a bit smaller (difficult to tell). Am just wondering if she could be a KB cross? Does anyone know if they're common in that part of the world (I know they're very rare outside Ireland). It makes no difference to us either way, but are just interested (and may explain why she is so scent oriented!).

Was she an Irish rescue diplodocus?

I don't think they're seen much at all outside of Ireland, but it is possible if she came over from there to find her forever home.

I remember friends of my Grandad having Kerry Beagles for hunting when I was a child. That was in Co Wexford, so they were definitely outside of the Kerry area then. There was also a lot of inter-breeding among local dogs, so it's not beyond the realms that your girl might have some KB blood in her.

Back in the 1970's my Grandparents had a dog that was rumoured to be the lovechild of a Beagle from the village, whilst his mum was a Cavalier KCS from very good lines owned by my Great Aunt - she was most definitely not amused by their liaison!

He definitely followed in his father's footsteps, rather than his blue-blooded mum's. No fence could keep him in, he was footloose and fancy free and followed his nose everywhere. He went for several walks a day with various people from the village, starting with the Nuns from the local convent for breakfast and post snack perambulation, then off along the beach to the village where he visited the rectory to snaffle some of the Priest's breakfast and on he went around the village making his daily calls, before coming back at tea time to dignify my Grandparents with his company and sleep by the fire! He sometimes used to get a ride home in the post van! I often wonder how many offspring he must have fathered in his lifetime. Neutering wasn't big among rural dog owners in S Ireland back then.

Yes, she's originally from the west of Ireland (originally abandoned in a bordering county to Kerry), which is what made me wonder. Your grandfather's dog sound's brilliant! She certainly has some hound characteristics, but so far has not seemed as -ahem - challenging as a English Beagle (although she has her moments and there's plenty of time!). Apparently Kerry Beagles are somewhat less mad than the English ones.

In that case I'd say there's a high probability that she's a Kerry Beagle then. How fantastic to have discovered her breed!

I've heard that they're a bit calmer than English Beagles as well. Certainly the majority of them around where my Grandparents lived were all very biddable and calm, but with a really strong hunting/scenting instinct. They were very different dogs at home to how they were out in the field.

My Grandfather also had a hound x Irish Water Spaniel and he and his friends used to take all their dogs hare and grouse hunting with them. I used to spend my whole summer holiday outside with the dogs and they were the softest creatures I've ever come across. It was all those summers spent with my Grandparents' dogs that made me so keen to have dogs of my own as soon as I was able.

... and yes Gf's dog as an amazing character - but I'm glad he wasn't mine!

Yes, it's quite fun to have a possible "exotic" dog but was relieved to find out they don't have any particularly hideous characteristics. I'd never heard of them before. She has a strong scenting instinct but because she's always nose to the ground tends not to see potential prey in the distance so we haven't had any issues as yet with chasing. She's incredibly fast though. Your summers sounded amazing, Moosemama - what lovely memories.

Ah - you have different challenges than us then. Pip being a sighthound means he can spot a bird on the opposite side of a field and off he goes. I am having to work over-time to get him to leave and recall from birds at the moment - their sudden flapping and fast getaways are such a massive temptation for a dog whose chase instinct is triggered by movement.

I was very lucky to have such lovely summers as a child. I take my dcs there every year now, but it's not the same these days. Road are too busy, the area has become popular with tourists and the population has rapidly expanded. Kids and dogs all still love the beach though - so at least I get to share some of childhood experiences with them that way.

I'm from/live in Kerry and had never even heard of this breed!

Helga, I think they're a bit like Lurchers used to be, in that you would probably need to be actively involved in the hound scene to know about them. I don't think they're common and those that are around are generally working dogs, so not likely to be seen out and about.

IKC details.

That makes sense. I'm rural but farming background so know more about shepherds.

Yes, that must be a challenge, Moosemama. But lurchers are so gorgeous - I love watching them run.
Half way down the page "Jess" is the spitting image of Diplodog kerrybeagle.blogspot.co.uk/ although probably bigger (unless her owner is very small!).

You can get DNA tests for not too silly a price I believe.