Kerry Blue Terrier Dog Breed

The Kerry Blue Terrier, also known as the Irish Blue Terrier has a strong, sturdy body and a short and curly coat. He is an active, athletic terrier that is affectionate with his owners, marvelous with children, a great watchdog, and a tough competitor in the show ring. The Kerry Blue is stubborn and needs a consistent and firm training method. The “Stay” and “Come” commands are usually the most difficult to teach. In addition, early socialization is important. This breed has a tendency to be aggressive toward other dogs as well as small animals and suspicious of strangers. It may be difficult to keep small pets such as cats or rabbits in a home with this breed. He needs to be well trained and be able to learn to respect his owner’s leadership. This breed needs an owner who is confident, firm, patient, and persistent. The Kerry Blue Terrier may be restless and noisy if left alone for too long. Overall, he makes an ideal house pet and lives an average of 15 years. The Kerry Blue Terrier is an Irish breed that is supposed to have some Irish Wolfhound, some spaniel, perhaps some Poodle, and maybe even a little herding dog in its ancestry. This is all conjecture because the breed’s actual ancestry is unknown. What is known, however, is the versatility of the breed. These dogs were (and still are) used as all purpose dogs who hunt birds as well as vermin, herd livestock, and guard the farm and family.

Size:

The Kerry Blue Terrier is a long-legged terrier, standing 17 to 20in at the shoulder and weighs between 35 and 40lb.He has a long head with a large nose, small dark eyes, and ears that are high on the head and fold forward. The body is sturdy, the chest is deep, and the tail is straight and erect. The coat is soft, dense, and wavy and varies from black on young puppies to blue-gray or even silver on adults.

History and origin:

The Kerry Blue originates from the county of Kerry in south-western Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries. He was believed to be a cross between the Irish Terrier and Bedlington Terrier, and some think that the Bull Terrier may have also contributed to the breed’s make-up. He was considered as an all-around utility dog. He started his life as a hunter of foxes and badgers. Being a keen and strong swimmer, he has also been used for otter hunting. This breed has also guarded livestock and saw Army service during World War II. Nowadays, he is mostly kept as one of the most popular pet and show dog.

Feeding:

Recommended feeding for the Kerry Blue Terrier is 1 – 1 ˝ cans (13.3oz size) of high-quality meat product with biscuit added in same amount or 3 cupfuls of complete dry food.

Exercise:

He is a working dog that needs and deserves plenty of exercise. The ideal place for this breed is a house with a fenced-in yard. However, he can easily adapt to an apartment living as long as he gets enough exercise. With proper training, the Kerry Blue Terrier is an excellent breed to jog with. This breed is quite active and needs vigorous daily exercise. A daily run is great exercise, as are canine sports. Many Kerrys have been successful in agility, flyball, tracking, and herding. Kerry Blue Terriers are bright and curious but can also be independent and stubborn. Early training can help teach them household rules, but do expect some challenges, especially during adolescence. Early socialization, especially to other dogs, is very important, as males can be dog-aggressive.

Grooming:

The Kerry Blue Terrier has a short, curly coat that sheds very little and needs to be brushed daily with a stiff brush and metal comb. In addition, the coat needs to be clipped every 2 to 3 months. The coat requires specific care. It must be brushed and combed twice weekly and after every romp in tall grass, as the soft coat will pick up dirt, burrs, and grass seeds. Potential owners should discuss grooming needs with a breeder prior to buying a Kerry.