Discover Everything About Kerry Blue Terrier
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
Breed Profile
The Kerry Blue Terrier, often referred to simply as Kerry, is a medium-sized dog with an expressive head and a slim, muscular build. His eyes are small and dark, his ears are medium-sized and v-shaped, and his nose is always black. This strong and well-built dog is particularly notable for its soft, wavy and dense coat, which can range in color from a deep dark blue to a light silver gray. Coat care for the Kerry Blue Terrier is quite demanding because its dense, curly coat requires regular care to avoid knots and matting. A professional trim is necessary every few months to keep the coat in shape and preserve the characteristic look. However, the breed is hypoallergenic and hardly sheds any hair, which makes it interesting for allergy sufferers. The Kerry Blue Terrier is a dog in FCI Group 3, the terrier group. The breed is not differentiated in performance and show lines, but there are slight differences in appearance between American and European bred Kerry Blues, with the American dogs often being slightly heavier and larger.
| Height | 44 - 48 cm (Female), 45 - 49 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 15 - 18 kg (Female), 18 - 20 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 12 - 15 years |
| Character | Bright, playful, independent |
| Coat | Curly, medium length, no undercoat |
| Coat Color | Any shade from blue to gray, often with black dots |
| Price | 1800 - 3000 € € |
History
The Kerry Blue Terrier, as the name suggests, comes from County Kerry in Ireland. It is an ancient breed that originated in the 18th century and was used as an all-round farm dog in Ireland for centuries. The Kerry Blue Terrier is believed to have originated from a mix of different breeds, including the Irish Wolfhound, the Irish Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. As an all-rounder, the Kerry Blue had to be versatile and robust. It was used for hunting smaller animals such as foxes and otters, for rat control, as a guard dog and even for herding sheep and cattle. His courage, intelligence and strong work ethic made him an indispensable companion for Irish farmers. The breed was not officially recognized by the Irish Kennel Club until 1922 and received its first breeding regulations in 1924. After that, the popularity of Kerry increased Blue Terriers are growing rapidly, both in Ireland and internationally. Today the Kerry Blue Terrier is a recognized breed by the F"d"ration Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and many other major breed associations worldwide.
The Kerry Blue Terrier was used for hunting small animals and as a working dog on farms.
Ireland
1700
Character & Temperament
The Kerry Blue Terrier is an energetic, happy and bright dog with a certain independence. His character is characterized by a mixture of intelligence, playfulness and tenacity. His history as a working dog has made him an extremely capable and adaptable dog who enjoys both physical and mental challenges. In the house he is a pleasant family dog, but he likes to be the center of attention and enjoys the attention of his people. His people-oriented nature makes him a loyal and affectionate companion who seeks and values close contact with his family. He generally gets along well with children and can also get along well with other pets if properly socialized. However, his tolerance towards other dogs, especially of the same gender, is often limited and he can sometimes be territorial. Kerry Blues are generally alert and curious and are therefore often referred to as good watchdogs. However, they are not overly loud dogs and their alert behavior is limited to paying attention and alerting their people rather than aggressive behavior. In terms of temperament, the Kerry Blue Terrier is active but not hyperactive. He needs enough exercise and mental stimulation to be happy and balanced. Regular walks, games and training sessions are a must for this breed. However, despite their energy, Kerry Blues are capable of remaining quiet indoors as long as they get enough exercise. The Kerry Blue Terrier has a strong hunting instinct, which comes from its history as a working dog. He can have a tendency to prey on small animals such as birds or squirrels, so it is important that he is well controlled in unfenced areas. However, he can learn to control these urges if properly trained and socialized. One of the things you should keep in mind is that the Kerry Blue Terrier is quite a character in its own right. He is intelligent and capable of learning, but he can also be stubborn and have a mind of his own. A balanced approach to training based on positive reinforcement usually works best with this breed. The ability to stay alone can vary from dog to dog, but in general Kerry Blues should not be left alone for long periods of time. They enjoy the company of their humans and can suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone too often or for too long.
| Trainability | |
| Watchfulness | |
| Openness to Strangers | |
| Hunting or Herding Drive |
Did you know that the Kerry Blue Terrier is also known as the "Irish Blue" is known and only reaches its unique blue coat color at around 18 months of age?
Fun Fact!
What Awaits You
The Kerry Blue Terrier is considered an independent, alert dog. He is motivated to hunt. He needs active owners with experience and the appropriate education and employment.
Housing & Care
The Kerry Blue Terrier is an active and intelligent dog that requires plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Therefore, he is best cared for in a home where he has enough opportunities to play and run around. He can also be kept in the city as long as he gets regular exercise and enough activity. In relation to other pets and children, the Kerry Blue Terrier shows different behavior. Some Kerry Blues get along well with other dogs and pets, while others tend to exhibit dominant or aggressive behavior. It is therefore important that the dog is well socialized from a young age. Dealing with small children is usually not a problem, although an adult should always be present to monitor interactions.
| Family Friendly | |
| Child Friendly | |
| Dog Friendly | |
| City Friendly |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
Raising the Kerry Blue Terrier can be challenging as he has an independent and sometimes stubborn personality. However, he is very trainable and intelligent, and with the right approach and a lot of patience he can learn many different commands and tricks. When it comes to training, it is important to remember that the Kerry Blue Terrier is an active and energetic dog that needs a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. Therefore, it can be useful to train him in various dog sports such as agility or obedience. This not only helps meet his energy needs, but also strengthens the bond between you and your dog. Despite his activity, the Kerry Blue Terrier is not prone to being a "ball junkie." to become. Nevertheless, it is important that he finds a healthy balance between play and rest. Too much play and stimulation can lead to stress and unwanted behavior, so it is important that the dog also learns to respect rest periods.
Nutrition & Care
The Kerry Blue Terrier's diet should be balanced and varied. You should get high-quality dog food that contains all the necessary nutrients. The energy content of the food should be adapted to the dog's activity level. Caring for the Kerry Blue Terrier is a little more complex than many other breeds. Its fur is soft and wavy and tends to become matted if not treated regularly is brushed moderately. It is recommended to brush the dog about once a week to avoid mats and keep the coat clean and healthy. The Kerry Blue Terrier sheds little and has no undercoat. Therefore, it usually copes well with the climate in Germany, but it should be protected accordingly in extremely cold weather.
| Care Level | |
| Exercise Needs | |
| Shedding | |
| Trainability |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
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