Kerry Blue Terrier Dog Breed Introduction
Kerry Blue Terrier ( also known as Irish Blue Terrier or Kerry) is a medium-sized terrier dog breed from Ireland named after County Kerry. It is popular for its distinctive soft, curly, and wavy blue coat. Although, puppies are born with a black coat that gradually transitions to a deep slate blue or a light blue-gray color at the age of 18 months.
The Coat of Kerry Blue Terriers barely sheds hence can be tolerated by people who suffer from dog allergies. The minimal to no shedding means the coat continues to grow throughout the year. Therefore, it needs regular grooming to prevent matting and to remove the loose hair. A Kerry also needs clipping every six weeks or so.
The Kerry Blue Terriers are high spirited, strong-willed, loyal, affectionate, and gentle towards children. However, they often exhibit dog aggression and hence suitable in a one pet-household. Although, breeders have attempted to breed out the aggression while retaining the high spirits. This breed also requires an active and skilled parent who can provide Kerries with obedience and socialization training.
Kerry Blue Terrier Origin | History
The Kerry Blue Terriers originated from the mountains of Kerry in Ireland. They were originally created to control vermin including foxes, rabbits, rats, and badgers. Over the years, the Kerries became an all purpose dog used for guarding and herding sheep and cattle. This breed was first depicted in literary reference in 1847.
The Kerries were also used in the early 20th century as a mascot for Ireland patriots in the struggle for Irish Independence. The first Kerry Blue Terriers imported in North America were five pets in the early 1900s( 1918 to 1919). As of now, Kerries are kept as companion and working dogs. Although, the Kerry remains an unfashionable breed despite a Kerry Blue Terrier winning in the most prestigious UK dog show, Crufts in 2000.
Kerry Blue Terrier Lifespan
The lifespan of Kerry Blue Terriers is 12 to 15 years.
Kerry Blue Terrier Grooming | Grooming Pattern | Grooming Guide
The Kerry barely sheds, even though the coat grows throughout the year. Therefore, it must be thoroughly brushed using a slicker brush and combed once a week to prevent matting. Apart from frequent brushing, the coat needs trimming every 6 to 8 weeks. The coat is trimmed using scissors while the abdomen, ears, neck, and head are clipped with clippers.
A Kerry Blue Terrier needs a bath every 6 to 8 weeks using a canine hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner. Before bathing the pet, brush the coat to remove dirt and mats that get messier when wet. Also remember to wipe the beard after meals.
A Kerry needs nail trimming every 3 to 5 weeks to prevent cracking, overgrowth, splitting, and discomfort when walking or running. Brush the teeth at least twice a week if not daily to remove tartar buildup using a tasty canine toothpaste and toothbrush. Clean the ears every week using an ear cleanser solution and cotton balls.
Ungroomed Kerry Blue Terrier
The Kerry has a single-layered coat that is wavy, soft, and curly. The texture feels like a combination of fine human hair and wool. This breed also requires regular brushing at least once a week and clipping every 6 to 8 weeks contrarily it will appear ungroomed or unkept.
Although, some Kerry Blues may suffer from Spiculosis, a rare congenital skin condition that is characterized by thickening of individual hair follicles which leads to the creation of abnormally-thickened and spiked fur which may make a Kerry to look ungroomed.
Kerry Blue Terrier Short Hair
A Kerry has a low to non-shedding coat that grows throughout the year. For maintenance, parents trim the coat every 6 to 8 weeks so that the pets may have a short hair.
Kerry Blue Terrier Shedding
The Kerry Blue Terrier has a low to non-shedding coat hence considered an allergy friendly pet.
Kerry Blue Terrier Hypoallergenic | Hypoallergenic Dogs
The Kerry Blue Terriers are hypoallergenic dogs suitable for people who suffer from dog allergies. However, there is no truly 100% hypoallergenic pure breed or crossbreed. Therefore, parents should spent lots of time with a Kerry before before adopting to ensure the dog is not triggering allergies.
Kerry Blue Terrier Training
The Kerry Blue Terriers are high spirited, intelligent, fast, and strong dogs that excel in tracking, dog agility, obedience, and sheep herding. They also somewhat strong-willed and need an equally strong pack leader. A pack leadership enables a Kerry to attain its full potential since it knows it is under the leadership of a trusted, respected, and loving leader who will make decisions for the entire well-being of the pack.
Use positive reinforcement methods to encourage positive behaviors through the use of toys, treats, playtime, petting, and verbal praise. Avoid use of harsh correction methods such as yelling, shoving, kicking, beating, and punching. Keep the training sessions lively and short to prevent boredom and distraction. Kerry Blue Terriers also need extensive socialization to minimize dog aggression although the breeders have been working to breed out the aggression.
Socialization exposes a Kerry to a wide variety of people, animals, surfaces, sights, places, smell, experiences, and sounds such as baby crying sounds, door bells, sirens, lawn mowers, vacuum cleaners, and washing machines. Enrolling a Kerry in a puppy class will also serve as a form of socialization.
Kerry Blues should also be enrolled in an obedience class from an early age with a trainer who is well-acquainted with terriers. Teach basic commands word like come, sit, leave it, wait, lie down, heel, etc. one at a time. Effectively housebreak Kerry Blue Terriers by creating a feeding schedule, potty training, and crate training.
Kerry Blue Terrier Temperament | Personality | Traits
- Alert.
- Playful.
- Mischievous.
- Intelligent.
- Strong-willed.
- Feisty.
- Courageous.
- Loyal.
- Affectionate.
- Gentle with children.
- Highly spirited.
Kerry Blue Terrier Exercise
The Kerry Blue Terrier enjoys outdoor activities such as jogging alongside their parent, playing fetch, and outdoor play. This breed also enjoys some chill time with their family as they watch or sit around the fireplace. Kerries can be exercised physically and mentally if they participate in canine sports such as dock diving, herding, obedience, and barn hunt along with their owners.
Kerry Blue Terrier Barking
This is an alert breed that will bark at unusual sounds hence making perfect watchdogs.
Kerry Blue Terrier Height
Female Kerries have a height of 17 to 18 inches ( approx. 44 to 46 cm ) while male Kerries have a height of 18 to 19 inches ( approx. 46 to 48 cm ).
Kerry Blue Terrier Weight
Female Kerry Blue Terriers have a weight of 22 to 29 pounds ( approx. 10 to 13 kg ) while male Kerry Blue Terriers have a weight of 26 to 33 pounds ( approx. 12 to 15 kg ).
Kerry Blue Terrier Size
Kerry Blue Terriers are medium-sized dogs with a height of 17 to 19 inches ( approx. 44 to 48 cm ) and a weight of 22 to 33 pounds ( approx. 10 to 15 kg ).
Kerry Blue Terrier Aggression
The Kerry Blue Terriers are loyal, affectionate, and gentle dogs. However, they are renowned for dog aggression. However, if socialized with other dogs, they get along well. Breeders have also been working to breed out the aggression from the breed while also retaining the high spirits.
Kerry Blue Terrier Health Issues
The Kerry Blue Terriers are robust and healthy dogs with a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. However, they may suffer from certain health issues such as hypothyroidism, cryptorchidism, Hip dysplasia, Progressive neuronal abiotrophy, spiculosis, and eye disorders like cataracts, entropion, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
Other Breeds of Dogs Include:
Kerry Blue Terrier Names
A Kerry Blue parent may decide to search for a name while the pet is still with the breeder or days after the dog joins them home to understand better the personality of a particular dog. Owners may get name inspirations from the unique blue coat, Irish heritage, celebrity Kerries, movies, songs, food, coat texture, nature, or historical figures.
Regardless of where you source the name, make sure it freely rolls off your tongue and it will not be a source of embarrassment when uttered out loud. A Kerry understands better a name that has vowels.
If a parent settles with a long name, they should find a cute nick name for Kerry Blue. Avoid giving your pooch a name that rhymes with the command words to prevent confusion. If a Kerry shares a name with a family member or guest who frequent the home, it will cause confusion. Some of the names that parents give to their Kerry Blue Terriers include:
- Blue.
- Cody.
- Candy.
- Sadie.
- Tucker.
- Molly.
- Spike.
- Peeper.
Kerry Blue Terrier Food | Dog Food
The Kerry Blues may feed on commercial dry or wet food, raw food, or home-made dog food. The amount of food that this breed feeds on depends on its age, size, metabolism, body build, and activity level. Kerries are prone to getting overweight, therefore watch out the calorie consumption and weight level. Ensure your Kerry has access to clean water at all times. Parents should also be well-versed with human foods that are safe for the dog.
Kerry Blue Terrier Colors
A Mature Kerry Blue Terrier has a light blue-gray or deep slate blue coat color. Although, puppies are born with a black coat that gradually changes to blue.
Kerry Blue Terrier Price | Cost
Due to the unique soft, curly, and wavy blue coat, the price of a Kerry Blue Terrier puppy ranges between $800 to $1600. Other factors that determine the cost include the pedigree and the location of the breeder.
Kerry Blue Terrier Without Beard
The Kerry Blue Terriers have a sporty beard that may get stuck with food particles after eating or water may drip on the beard after drinking. Therefore, a Kerry should have its beard wiped on a daily basis to remove dirt and keep it dry. For this reason, some parents may decide to do away with the beard by trimming it hence having a Kerry Blue Terrier without a Beard.
Do Kerry Blue Terriers Shed
They have a low to non-shedding coat that sheds minimally hence the shed hair is barely noticeable.
Are Kerry Blue Terriers Hypoallergenic
Yes. Kerry Blue Terriers are regarded hypoallergenic dogs that are good for people who suffer from dog allergies.
Kerry Blue Terriers Quick Facts
- They have a soft, wavy, and curly blue coat that feels like a combination of wool and fine human hair.
- Kerry Blue Terriers have a low to non-shedding coat hence considered hypoallergenic.
- The barely shedding coat grows throughout the year and needs regular brushing and combing to remove loose hair and prevent matting.