Editing Beagle (section)

==Name==
According to the ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'', the first mention of ''beagle'' in English literature dates from c. 1475 in ''[[The Squire of Low Degree]]''. The origin of the word ''beagle'' is uncertain, although it has been suggested that the word derives from the French ''begueule'' which means "gate throat".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/16481?rskey=OXzGmu&result=1#eid |title=Beagle |access-date=3 October 2016 |work=Oxford English Dictionary |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

It is not known why the black and tan [[Kerry Beagle]], present in Ireland since [[Celt]]ic times, has the ''beagle'' description, since at {{convert|22|to|24|in|cm}} it is significantly taller than the modern day Beagle, and in earlier times was even larger. Some writers suggest that the Beagle's scenting ability may have come from cross-breeding earlier strains with the Kerry Beagle. Originally used for hunting stags, it is today used for hare and [[drag hunting]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thebreedsofdogs.com/KERRY_BEAGLE.htm|title=Kerry Beagle |publisher=Breeds of Dog |access-date=9 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813223627/http://www.thebreedsofdogs.com/KERRY_BEAGLE.htm |archive-date=13 August 2007 |url-status=usurped}}</ref>