Kerry blue terriers are firm , hard - working , and strong - willed dogs . They are happy when they have a task to do , preferably if it ’s by their owner ’s side .
Loyal and loving , Kerry blue terrier give you the best of both worlds — while they are potent - willed and love to be given a task to keep them busy , many will be just as happy to nuzzle up with you when the day is done .
These prominent pups may not be the most well - recognise terriers in the group , but they have distinctive personality . They are also known for their high - maintenance - but - beautiful coats and distinctive beards ; you ’ll want tokeep their pelage well - groomedto maintain the Kerry ’s iconic look .
VKarlov / Shutterstock
Kerry dismal terrier typically develop to be 17–19.5 inches and are perfect for people who want to expend plenty of character time with their dog , peculiarly outdoors . This pooch will be yourultimate MVP during raise , herding , and search consequence .
Appearance
Kerries have classifiable , mesomorphic bodies thanks totheir love of strong-arm activity . They come in at about 18–19.5 inch for male and 17.5–19 inches for females and ordinarily weigh around 33–40 pounds , position them snugly into themedium - sized dogcategory . But make no misapprehension , these pups have a big presence .
Despite their name , they are n’t typically bear blue . Kerry blue terrier puppy are typically hold with mysterious , fateful hairsbreadth that fade into a gorgeous blue or gray color . They also have long heads , rock a distinctive beard , and have soulful dark eyes .
Rather than fur , Kerry blue terriers have fuzz , which facilitate wick away waterwhen swimming(a favorite pastime ) and bounding into puddles . And while no dog is100 - percent hypoallergenic , Kerry bluesdon’t shed much , making them a good option not only for people supersensitized to dog , but for your carpet , too ! However , this intend their coats can be pretty high - maintenance . To debar matting and knots and to take off utter hair , it ’s best tobrush them every few daysand have them groomed by a pro every six to eight week .
Kseniia Kolesnikova / Shutterstock
Temperament
Kerries are ultimately well - lash out dogs . John J. Garahan , president of theUnited States Kerry Blue Terrier Club , describes them best , call them an " all - around " type of dog . While they have a repute for being strong - willed , they are loyal andloving dogs with their families .
These terriers are high - energy as well asextremely bright , so they need passel of aid and jobs to do . Any ennui can leave to chewing if you ’re not thrifty , but exercise and genial stimulation ( it does n’t anguish to load up oninteractive toys ) will keep him happy . If you ’re considering a Kerry blue terrier , be sure you ’re quick to rise to his level of brain .
" With aLabrador , I could flip a orb all 24-hour interval long , " Garahan says . " That Labrador is gon na go lam after that ball and bring it back to me all day long . With a Kerry blue , I might be able to do that for belike , peradventure about a half an hour . And then they ’re gon na say , in their own psyche , ' enough of this , there ’s really not much get on . I ’ve got to receive something else to do . ' "
Osetrik / Shutterstock
Kerry blue love to be side by side with their family members , including nipper , duringlong walksand doggy sporting issue . They may get bored after the fifthgame of fetchthat daytime , but pique their interest group with a new stimulating activity and you ’ve got a friend for life .
However , their devotion is dialed - in to their syndicate : They do n’t typically do well with other dogs , especially if they have n’t been raise with them since day one . Similarly , they do n’t take well to strangers without a proper introduction , sosocializing Kerry blue terrier puppies earlyis important so they learn to be prosperous around new multitude . When pass on strangers in the commons or at the veterinary ’s office , be sure to keep them on a Pb in guinea pig they ’re feeling a bit suspicious . honest to being a terrier , they also areprone to barking , so expect them to make their presence lie with .
But make no mistake : If you’rededicated to training themand making certain they get their energy out , Kerry gamey dogs can be cuddle bugs as well .
Living Needs
Kerry blueing are devoted to their families , and they need an owner who is willing to be just as devoted to them . They areideal dogs for combat-ready familieswho can provide these puppy with intellectually and physically exhilarating tasks .
Because of this , Kerry blue terriers would do advantageously in a home with plenty of room to ( safely ) romp around and play to get their energy out . Afenced - in yardwill make his tail waggle , and , because their coat are naturally fairly pee - resistant , if your place is prone to puddle , they ’ll fare just okay . Once they are tired out for the night , they ’re usually happy to lounge around with you or join you in whatever leisure action you ’re doing . They just want to be close to you .
Because they crave attention from their people , Kerry low terrier would prefer to be the only fur nipper in the star sign . family with cats and other small ducky may also want to think twice before welcoming a Kerry blue terrier into their family — because of their story as hunting watch , they can see these smaller animals as something to tag after .
Care
Kerry blueing turn head with their one - of - a - kind coating . Grooming your Kerry blue terrier will in all probability be your cock-a-hoop undertaking as a pet parent , as they ’ll require to be brushed every few day . You ’ll also need to find a groomer who knows how to trim their coat mostly with scissors , rather than a razor ( though when grooming a Kerry gloomy terrier , professional will know to use a razor for spot including the front of the neck , on their pinna , and on their rear ) .
You should get them professionally groomed around every six to eight weeks to keep their coat looking sleek , burnished , and innocent of knot . Their beard will need excess tending , too . Grooming a Kerry blue terrier ’s head requires aid to help show off his iconic conformation .
As with all dogs , you ’ll need to keep your Kerry blue terrier’snails trimmed , hisears cleaned , andhis tooth brushed .
In improver to caring for their appearance , Kerry profane click need enceinte attention paid to their minds . Garahan emphasise the breed ’s intelligence and say it ’s important to keep them shake up with regular and varied activities . Their combination of high-pitched Energy Department levels and smarting makes them ready to undertake many different game , dog sports such as agility , and learn legerdemain .
" They are very , very smart dogs ; they really pick up very speedily , " he says . " If people are interested in Kerry blues , to keep them busy , a lot of people will do a lot of the lightsomeness , [ they ] will do obeisance , they ’ll do what we call b hunt , will do companion click . All of the other character of awards and honors that the American Kennel Club offering , the Kerry does them all .
" They were a working dog , so you send them out to do something , and they ’ll do it . They would just go all day . "
Being shape enough to train a Kerry blue can make all the remainder in making them your perfect fellow . Just be sure to fiddle to their intellect bytraining them earlyand showingplenty of confident reinforcing stimulus .
Health
Kerries are a fairly healthy strain with a distinctive lifespan of 12–15 twelvemonth , though they can live even longer . But , like all breeds , there are some wellness business owner require to be aware of .
Garahan notes that some Kerries can have a inclination towards small skin nodules in the form ofsebaceous cyst . These type of cysts typically are n’t serious , but if you see these on your Kerry blue dog , be certain to mouth with your veterinary about them and see what your treatment choice are .
Because Kerry blue terriers have pilus around their eyes , theycan also develop some sensitivity and middle issues , which is part of why it ’s so significant to keep them well - groom . you’re able to also execute a gentle cleansing to prevent any eye irritation .
Kerries may also develop human elbow orhip dysplasia , which is inherited . This condition develops in their more ripe years and make joint stiffness and discomfort . Be indisputable to speak with your vet if you ’re noticing any mobility issues .
Of naturally , these issues wo n’t bear on every Kerry , but that ’s why it ’s so important tobring them to a vet regularlyand supervise their wellness closely .
History
This strain ’s origin is enshroud in enigma and legend . Some like to propagate the lore that Kerry blue terriers came about after aPortuguese piddle dogjumped from a gravy boat and paddled to Ireland .
Garahan says what wedoknow is thatKerry blues reverberate about in Irelandas a result of people breeding unlike type of terriers — and yes , potential Portuguese piss dogs — to create a more " all - around " terrier to work the farm . That was more than 150 class ago , and today , these dogs still love have a task to do .
While they are often mistakenly referred to as the National Dog of Ireland , they unquestionably have deep Irish origins . Kerry blue terriers rapidly became known as working dogs on the island , where they wereused to hunt small-scale game and birdsand herd sheep and cows .
In 1920 , the Dublin Irish Blue Terrier Club put on its own dog show and , two years after , became theIrish Kennel Club , which is still in beingness today . suitably , the Kerry blue terrier was the first strain recognize by the club .
