The American Beagler Forum

I have a female that has some Little Ireland breeding on her top end. I love her dams breeding so I bought her. Her top is a little different though. Lots of blackcreek (skullfork) and Little Ireland. I know all about the Skullfork part, just nothing really about the Little Ireland dogs. Any info on this line, what is produces, how it runs, ect. would really help.

I'm no expert on the subject of that line, but I've seen a few go. From what I can tell they're about medium speed; maybe a step slower than medium. Not real athleticly built, by and large, but beauty is somewhat in the eye of the beholder anyhow.

Thanks Chris. I can't seem to find anyone down here that has anything out of that line and I sure don't know anything about it. If you hear anything else, please let me know. She is progressing nicely and I may want to breed her but I need to know more about her top end before I do. That top end is so mixed up, well, you really don't want to know. Fast dogs bred to medium thats goes back to brace hounds. SHe don't show any of that thank goodness but it worries me when I think about breeding her. I would hate to start them pups and one if them be a "walkie talkie." Its far enough back that it may not affect them but I'm not sure so knowing the Little Ireland blood will help me. I know the other line on her top really well and her bottom is why I bought her, plus she was driving a bunny at 6 months.

Al, check with Joe West, his kennel I believe are all decended from Little Ireland. I had several that had very good conformation, good noses and ran medium speed,close on checks and worked them inside out. They were not very bright Hope this helps

Well, neither is he from what I can tell. Thanks for the info though. Hopefully the Blackcreek (skullfork) and Playboy blood will be stronger if I breed her.

Oh, you're brutal Alswamper.

Don't get the wrong impression by what I initially typed -- I have heard that they can be some good gundogs, but I told you what my experiences were with them, and I was honest.

If she shows you what you want to see, I certainly wouldn't disqualify her from breeding based upon the Little Ireland blood. It's a pretty well-respected line and if I had one that could eat my faster dogs up from behind you can bet I'd consider breeding it.

Cant help it Chris, he called my dogs Hobby dogs.

I've met two males descended from the Little ireland strain. Nice looks and brains to boot. Maybe not as intelligent as another line I used to own that was not big on looks at all, but a lot of this bashing the Little Ireland strain seems to come from those whose dogs have not very nice looks

Alabama Swamper,

Wish i would have read your post earlier i may have been able to hlp you out.

I have owned some very good Little Irelands and the blood is still free flowing in alot of the formal foot packs. Good friends of mine own the Bedlam and Glanbar packs and i run with them some. Don't discount the Little Ireland blood. I run Patches and mine are fast and by fast i mean on the very top edge of little pack and some little irelands with hang with them. They have good confirmation and brains to boot some tend to want to take deer but if broke are broke for life and most will handle without a lead. I went to patches for more size and a little more foot to handle the big white hares but in my opinion it is no disgrace to have little ireland blood in your kennel. If i can answer more for you email me.

bgray@corlink.com

I don't profess to be any authority on the Little Ireland Beagles but
live in Mr. Dornin's home town of Scottsville, Va. Folks around here
remember the Little Irelands and a friend of mine, Mike Wingfield owns
the line that the Dornin's left behind. I have ran with these dogs and
can comment on what I have seen. The original Irelands were very
nice dogs with great conformation. They produce bench champions.
They have a very good nose and can do well in poor scenting conditions.
It was Tom Dornin and Frank Reese that saved the hunting beagle from
going to the "walkie talkie" dogs. I am sure that in their day the Little
Irelands would have been considered fast but today they would be a
medium speed dog. Mr. Dornin wrote a book,Breeding a Better Strain
of Beagles. In the book he gives some very good information and
talks alot about his Little Ireland beagles. I believe that after you read
about Mr. Dornin and his beagles you will feel good in having the blood
line in your pedigree. These were linebreed dogs when Mr. Dornin breed
them and he breed for specific traits. Mr West knows much more about
the Little Irelands than I do and can give you more info. I do not own
any Little Irelands myself but the originals were fine hunting beagles.
I hope that this puts to rest any of the fears you may have had about
the bloodline. Good luck with the little female. Sounds like a fine little
hunting dog you have there.

Dave DeLong

Thanks guys. Her sire was crossed with Blackcreek (skullfork), Little Ireland and some brace blood like Tate Cove and Barefoot Skeezix. Don't know why but he was. The brace was 4 generations back and it was crossed out with the Little Ireland. I think the Blackcreek probably gave the speed back on her top. Her dam is a linebred Hardluck Playboy dog with a touch of Little Man. She has good speed, probably going to be top end of Medium and very good line control from what I can tell so far. SHe is still only 9-10 months old but has been running bunnies since 4 or 5 months. I knew the Blackcreek and knew of the brace but the Little Ireland was the only part I had no idea about. Sounds like she will be alright if I do decide to breed her in a year or two.