The race Kerry Blue Terrier

 

The Kerry Blue Terrier (also known as the Irish Blue Terrier in Ireland) is one of three closely related, long-legged, all-purpose working terriers which were distilled from the great mixture of coat colours, textures and dispositions that were found throughout the Irish countryside over the last few centuries. The Kerry's two Irish cousins are the Irish terrier and the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier; the latter is often considered an ancestor of the Kerry Blue.

Forbidden by law to own the ancient Irish wolfhound (that privilege was reserved for the aristocratic class), the crofters concentrated on breeding terriers to their own needs and tastes. These farm dogs needed to combine herding, guarding, hunting, retrieving and vermin destroying talents. They were also family members who played with and watched over the children and curled up at the hearth. Crosses between various groups of dogs including hounds were made to obtain these

Kerry traits:

• stubborn, proud, tenacious, courageous, bold, can be pugnacious
• highly intelligent, curious, trainable, eager to please
• energetic, sometimes to the point of boisterous, and playful
• good sense of humour
• good-natured, merry, affectionate
• loyal
• a "family" dog, not a one-person dog
• good with children, has a gentle mouth
• has stamina, vigour, and endurance; is very stoical

Although their preference is to accompany their packmates, Kerries are flexible, adaptable dogs that can integrate into families where everyone works outside the home during the day. This sort of relationship will require extra dedication from all family members to interact with the Kerry when they are home - exercise, play, training etc. Discuss the matter with the breeder and have them assist in selecting a pup with correct temperament for this lifestyle. An adult Kerry may be advisable for people who cannot come home during the day to care for a pup.

Height:
Dogs 18” - 19 ½" (46 - 48 cm) at withers; bitches 17 ½” - 19" (45-47 cm).
Weight:
Dogs 33 - 40 lbs (15-17 kg); bitches slightly less.
General Appearance:
Upstanding, well knit and proportioned, well developed and muscular body showing good balance.
Character:
A compact and powerful, yet graceful terrier. Displays an attitude of alert determination and definate terrier style and character throughout. "Disciplined gameness."
Head is long and well-proportioned with V-shaped ears and dark eyes showing a keen terrier expression.Neck is clean and moderately long, set on well laid back shoulders. Chest deep, but of moderate breadth. Legs straight, moderately long and well muscled. Back short, strong and level. Tail is carried gaily erect. Coat is silky soft, dense and wavy, any shade from deep slate through blue-grey to silvery. Colour usually takes 18 months to clear. Solid black is a disqualification as are dewclaws on hind legs.
The coat is one of the most attention-getting features of this breed. Puppies are born either solid blue-black (sometimes a tiny white patch on the chest) or a very dark grey, and their skin, particularly on the back, is blue. As they grow, the coat begins to "clear" or lighten toward the mature colour. Often a brownish or tan tone appears during the clearing process; this is normal and will usually disappear as the pup matures. The standard specifies that the coat should clear by 18 months; prior to this a tan tone or solid black will be tolerated in the breed ring. Despite the specification that mature colour should be reached by 18 months, many Kerries take longer to clear and may not reach their final colour for 2 or 3 years. Darker points on the legs, tail and head can occur and are acceptable as long as the darker colouration does not extend down the neck from the head.

While any shade of blue-grey is permissible, many breeders aim for a medium blue. The very light, silvery coats tend to have poor texture; they are often cottony and lack wave. These coats also grow more slowly. At the other extreme, the darkest dogs often have excellent coats; extremely dense with good texture and wave. However, solid black is a disqualification and many judges favour medium toned dogs.