Turnspit Dog vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Turnspit Dog is originated from United Kingdom but Kerry Beagle is originated from Ireland. Turnspit Dog may grow 31 cm / 12 inches shorter than Kerry Beagle. Turnspit Dog may weigh 13 kg / 28 pounds lesser than Kerry Beagle. Both Turnspit Dog and Kerry Beagle has almost same life span. Turnspit Dog may have less litter size than Kerry Beagle. Both Turnspit Dog and Kerry Beagle requires Low maintenance.

History

It is amazing that this small dog’s popularity comes from him being used in the kitchens to roast meat. The British enjoyed eating their meat which they roasted on a fire.

These dogs were essentially regarded as a tool – a means to an end, and when kitchens were modernized, they were no longer needed, and they became extinct.

Referred to as the kitchen dog or cooking dog, the first mention of these little dogs was made in 1576. By 1850 the dogs had become scarce and by 1900 it seemed as though there were none left.

kerry beagle - historyThe Kerry Beagle is an ancient dog breed, thought to go back as far as the 16th century and looked upon as one of the oldest of all the Irish dog breeds. The dog was introduced to Ireland by the Celts.

It is believed to have descended from the Old Southern Hound or Celtic Hounds.The Kerry Beagle was taken by Irish immigrants to America and is a foundation breed in the development of the  Coonhound for hunting and scenting.

The Kerry Beagle isn't recognized by the AKC but has been recognized by the Irish Kennel Club in 1991. It is still rare outside of Ireland and it hasn't been recognized by major kennel clubs.

Description

The Turnspit was a small long-bodied dog, standing at between 20 to 30cm in height and probably weighed anything between 9 and 14kg in height.

The legs were somewhat crooked or bandy and Edward Jesse, who wrote ‘Anecdote of Dogs’ in 1846 described them as ugly dogs with a miserable look to them. That was probably due to him having to fit into the hamster-like wheel contraption that turned the meat being roasted in the kitchens.

They were low-bodied dogs, similar to a Dachshund or a Corgi with short, stocky legs, short floppy ears, and a short coat. The long tail curled over its back. It is believed that the coats were white, reddish-brown, gray or black.

Temperament:

The dog was certainly feisty, energetic and hard-working with not much being written about his temperament. He was a working dog, but given the chance, he would no doubt have been loving and loyal, longing for the chance just to be part of a human family and to be loved.

kerry beagle puppy - descriptionThe Kerry Beagle is a medium sized dog with a solid physique. He stands at about 56 – 61cm and weighs between 22 and 27kg. He has a broad head with drop ears. His eyes are large and deep set and are a yellow to brownish color, giving the dog an intelligent expression.

His coat is short and the most common color for this dog is black and tan, but you can also find tan and white or some blue mottling as well. He is a lean, muscled dog with a deep chest and legs which are slim and long, providing the dog with the ability to pick up speed on a hunt. The tail of the dog is long and slightly curved and carried level.

Temperament:

As a packhound this dog is a serious hunter. He may look aggressive as he goes after his prey but he is actually a calm, well-balanced, friendly dog who forms a strong, loving relationship with his human family.

He is also gentle and playful with children in the home and also gets on well with other dogs too. He is intelligent and will readily respond to training and socialization. It's a dog that just loves being outside, especially when there is something to do, such as playing ball games or going on a long walk.

He is alert and inquisitive and makes an excellent watchdog. A home with a good sized garden will be ideal for the Kerry Beagle, though it can be kept in small gardens in the city too, just so long as he is given the opportunity for daily exercise.

Characteristics

The Turnspit dog had a tough life, but would no doubt have made a wonderful little pet had he just been allowed to be a companion dog.

When he was no longer needed, he was discarded.

Make sure that when you buy a dog, you don't just put him in your backyard and forget about him. Give him the love and care he deserves.

kerry beagle dog - characteristicsThe Kerry Beagle may well be quite an aggressive dog when showing off his hunting skills, but when it comes to being around his human family, he softens up and becomes a gentle, loving friend.

He is an affectionate playmate for children and also gets on well with other dogs you may have in the home.

Your Kerry Beagle is alert, intelligent and active, and when you have one of them as a 4-legged family member, you'll discover what a wonderful, devoted companion he can be.

Health Problems

The health and lifespan of a dog is influenced by quite a few things such as food, care, love, exercise and the type of breed it is. Generally smaller dogs live longer than big dogs, and mixed breed dogs live longer than pure breeds.

The Turnspit dog, if he had received the proper care, could have lived to between 10 and 15 years of age.

Some of the health issues facing small dogs like these would include -

Hypoglycemia:

Stress can bring on a sudden drop in blood sugar. The Turnspit had reason to be stressed, working hard in horrible conditions. Dogs become weak and lethargic and can scarcely maintain an even gait. A sudden drop in blood sugar can cause a small dog to go into a fatal coma.

Pancreatitis:

This ailment seems to occur more often with smaller dogs. The pancreas becomes inflamed and your dog has vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and dehydration. Pancreatitis can come about because of trauma, metabolic disorders or infection.

kerry beagle puppies - health problemsIf your Kerry Beagle is ill or injured you need to get him to the vet for a full assessment. As a puppy he will also need certain vaccinations to protect him from some life-threatening illnesses as well as getting de-wormed.

Dental Health:

Bad smelling breath is a symptom that your pet's teeth need checking. If you're not sure how to maintain his teeth, make sure your Kerry Beagle has professional dental cleaning to ensure his gums and teeth are kept in a healthy state. Your vet will give you advise on how to watch for periodontal disease.

Fleas and Ticks:

In hot weather particularly, check your dog over for fleas and ticks and remove them.

Heartworm:

Heartworm is a fatal disease which which can affect your dog. Speak to your vet about treatments as living in a hot, wet area opens you pet up to bites from infected mosquitoes.

Caring The Pet

A dog is man's best friend, but the Turnspit was essentially just a working dog and most likely didn’t receive the proper care he deserved.

Small dogs like these would have had basic needs. Their owners would have had to pay attention to the dog's health, because he needed to work.

We look at ways in which a small dog like the Turnspit should have been cared for -

Diet:

One wonders if the Turnspit was allowed to eat any of the roast meat he worked so hard on to get ready. Every dog should have a regular meal.

Most adult dogs should be fed 2 meals of kibble a day. If the Turnspit wasn’t extinct he would have required a high quality ‘small dog breed’ commercial dog food. Home-made food would also be a requirement – some boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables. Dogs want and appreciate simple, wholesome foods that won’t upset their digestive systems.

Along with good food, dogs need cool, fresh water constantly available to stay healthy.

Provide your dog with a warm dry, quiet, comfortable place to sleep.

Make sure he gets to the veterinarian if he is sick, but also for his vaccines to prevent him from getting some of the worst dog diseases there are.

Spay or neuter your dog if you don’t intend to breed your dog,

Groom your small dog regularly. The Turnspit had a shortish coat and would have required a brush twice a week. Other grooming procedures for a small dog like the Turnspit would have been keeping his nails trimmed and checking the inside of his ears and his mouth for ear infections and dental disease.

Exercise for a small dog is important – walks and ball games.

Grooming:

kerry beagle dogs - caringBecause of the short coat of the Kerry Beagle, he is looked upon as a low maintenance dog. He doesn't shed very much, and simple grooming is required such as brushing the coat twice a week.

His nails will also need to be clipped, as left long, they can hook on things and rip your pet's flesh.

You will need to check his teeth and also check inside his ears. Dogs with floppy ears are more prone to infection in the ears and this can cause terrible pain for your pet.

Diet:

If you keep your Kerry Beagle as a hunting dog, you will know that active dogs like these have different dietary requirements to companion dogs.

All that activity requires top quality nutrition and a certain amount of calories. If you're buying dry kibble, make sure its the highest quality so that he doesn't require huge portions to satisfy him. Leading canine nutritionists recommend a hunting dog like this be fed a large meal once a day and preferably in the evening, after all the hunting action.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
Ireland
Height Male:
20 - 30 cm
7 - 12 inches
56 - 61 cm
22 - 25 inches
Height Female:
20 - 30 cm
7 - 12 inches
56 - 61 cm
22 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
22 - 27 kg
48 - 60 pounds
Weight Female:
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
22 - 27 kg
48 - 60 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 4
1 - 10
Size:
Small dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Vernepator cur, kitchen dog
None
Colors Available:
White, gray or black., reddish-brown
Black and tan, blue mottling, white and tan
Coat:
Shortish
Short and smooth
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Turnspit Dog vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  2. Turnspit Dog vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  3. Turnspit Dog vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  4. Turnspit Dog vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  5. Turnspit Dog vs Danish Swedish Farmdog - Breed Comparison
  6. Turnspit Dog vs Telomian - Breed Comparison
  7. Turnspit Dog vs Pomeranian - Breed Comparison
  8. Turnspit Dog vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  9. Turnspit Dog vs Pug - Breed Comparison
  10. Turnspit Dog vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Turnspit Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  12. Turnspit Dog vs Maltipoo - Breed Comparison
  13. Turnspit Dog vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  14. Turnspit Dog vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  15. Turnspit Dog vs Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  16. Turnspit Dog vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  17. Turnspit Dog vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  18. Turnspit Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Turnspit Dog vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  20. Turnspit Dog vs Corgi - Breed Comparison
  21. Turnspit Dog vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  22. Turnspit Dog vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison
  23. Turnspit Dog vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  24. Turnspit Dog vs American Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  25. Turnspit Dog vs Papillon - Breed Comparison
  26. Sakhalin Husky vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  27. Portuguese Water Dog vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  28. Puli vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  29. McNab vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  30. Porcelaine vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  31. Hokkaido vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  32. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Pumi vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  34. Kintamani vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  35. Osterreichischer Kurzhaariger Pinscher vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  36. Russo-European Laika vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  37. Ryukyu Inu vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  38. Seppala Siberian Sleddog vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  39. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  40. Shiba Inu vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  41. Sulimov vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  42. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  43. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  44. Standard Schnauzer vs Kerry Beagle - Breed Comparison
  45. Kerry Beagle vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  46. Kerry Beagle vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  47. Kerry Beagle vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  48. Kerry Beagle vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  49. Kerry Beagle vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  50. Kerry Beagle vs Aidi - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds