The Kerry Blue Terrier was first noticed in the mountain region of County
Kerry in Ireland by visitors from the outside in the early 1800s. Today
he is the national dog of the Republic of Ireland where he is known as the
Irish Blue. His exact ancestry is unknown but he has been used to hunt small
game and birds, to retrieve from land and water alike, and to herd sheep
and cattle. His short, wavy, slate-blue colored coat is unique amongst terriers.
This is one breed of dogs that does not shed its coat. Nor does it have
a "doggy" odor. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel
Club in 1924.
The Kerry Blue Terrier is a friendly dog that makes an excellent house pet.
He is not nervous like other terriers nor does he bark without cause.
The head of the Kerry Blue is long but in proportion with the rest of the
body. The skull is flat with a very slight drop off (stop) between the skull
and muzzle. The ears are v-shaped, set high on the skull and folded over
slightly above the level of the skull. They are carried close to the cheek.
The eyes are dark and small with a keen terrier expression. The jaws are
deep, strong and muscular. The bite is level or scissors. The neck is moderately
long. The chest is deep and moderately wide. The legs are moderately long
and straight with good bone and muscle. The pasterns are short, straight
and barely noticeable. The feet are round and small. The back is short,
strong and level. The tailset is high and the tail is docked to a medium
length. It is carried gaily erect. The coat is soft, dense, and wavy. Coat
color is black on puppies but fades to a slate-blue by about the age of
eighteen months. Darker or black coat may appear on the adult muzzle, head,
ears, tail and feet. Coat on the muzzle is longer than on the rest of the
head, forming a bushy beard. Coats of Kerry Blues being shown in Ireland
may not be trimmed. Elsewhere, the dogs are exhibited with a sculptured,
scissored coat. Average height is between seventeen-and-one-half inches
and nineteen-and-one-half inches. Average weight is between thirty and forty
pounds.
kathlee103@aol.com of Michigan writes:
Sweet, athletic, and friendly Terriers.
I got my first Kerry Blue Terrier about five months ago. He is a wonderful
dog. He is a great family dog. Everyone in our house loves him. He is very
energetic and will play for hours if we let him. Very smart , and he learns
commands easily, although he can be stubborn about following commands sometimes.
We have another dog and three cats, and although you read many things about
Kerries not getting along with cats or dogs, ours gets along wonderfully
with our other animals. His coat takes quite a bit of grooming; if you like
that kind of work the Kerry is a great dog for you. I did a lot of research
before getting my dog, and it paid off p; the Kerry Blue Terrier is
the breed for me. He is a wonderful show dog and family pet. If you want
a sweet but challenging breed of dog the Kerry may be the dog for you.
Name withheld by request of Rochester, NY writes on 9/18/01:
Great working dog with a terrier spirit.
I own a four year old Kerry Blue Terrier I show in obedience and agility.
He has a great sense of humor, tons of energy and drive, and a gentle spirit
with people. Down side (if there is one) is that he loves to chase cats
and will get aggressive with other dogs if allowed. He needs a firm but
fair owner and is always ready to challenge me to think of new ways to convince
him that he should do things my way (such as in obedience or the agility
course, or even around the house). Plan to spend lots of time grooming and
exercising a Kerry, but also plan to have a new best friend always willing
to go for a walk or play a game.