Kerry Blue Terrier Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the Kerry Blue Terrier?

The Kerry Blue terrier appeared back in the late 1800s, though its exact origin is yet unclear. Some maintain that the Irish wolfhound and the Irish terrier are part of its genealogy based on their similar appearance. It is often thought that they were bred originally to be fighting dogs.

The Kerry Blue Terrier Club was founded in 1927 while the breed gained popularity over the twenties.

They were used during the war to guard POW camps as well as workers over the wars which led to their numbers falling very low. Thankfully, a small number of breed club enthusiasts were able to save them from vanishing entirely though their numbers remain low to this day.

By the mid-1900s, the Kerry had become a popular companion and competitor at high profile national dog shows such as Crufts.

Who are Kerry Blue Terrier dogs best for?

Like most terriers, Kerry Blues are wilful and intelligent dogs, which can often make them tricky dogs to control. For this reason, they're not the best option for first-time owners as they benefit from being trained by experienced terrier owners with the patience and experience to know how to handle their strong-willed, intelligent nature during obedience training.

They are enthusiastic dogs that love to play and can have a little mischievous streak which they might use to get their own way.

They are best suited to homes with older children with experience around dogs as their boisterous nature could lead them to accidentally knock down small children in play.

They are good watchdogs in that they are always alert and like to let you know as soon as they notice a change in the environment. However, their friendly nature means they aren't suited to being good guard dogs.

They suffer from high separation anxiety and hate being left alone for any period, so are best suited to homes where there is usually someone around to keep them company and stop them from expressing their anxiety destructively.

How much grooming does a Kerry Blue Terrier need?

The Kerry Bluecoat requires a high degree of maintenance, ideally needing regular brushing daily with particularly close attention paid to its muzzle which can get a little messy after eating.

They don't shed their dense coat like many other dog breeds but will require their coats to be cut every 6-8 weeks to keep them tidy. The hair between their foot pads should also be checked and trimmed regularly.

You should also keep an eye on their ears and ensure there's not any wax build-up which can lead to a painful infection if it isn't cleaned out.

Do Kerry Blue Terrier bark much?

The Kerry Blue is known to be a talkative dog, like most terrier breeds. This behaviour is best curbed early on in their lifetime to prevent them from being frightened.

Even if you do a good job of training them, you may find that old habits die hard and it can be very difficult to fully coach them out of this especially stubborn aspect of their personality.

Do Kerry Blue Terrier bite?

This breed isn't known for showing aggression toward humans, however, Kerry Blue terriers were originally bred for hunting small game and catching rabbits and they maintain a strong chase instinct.

For this reason, they're not especially compatible with cats unless they were raised alongside them and they're especially unsuited to rabbits or other small animals.

What is the temperament & personality of a Kerry Blue Terrier?

Kerry Blues, like many breeds of terriers, are outgoing, confident, and headstrong dogs with a strong sense of play.

They can be a little sensitive, being inclined towards moodiness at times so they don't stand for being treated unfairly or roughly. This can make finding the right balance while training them difficult while you find the right way to help them learn without upsetting them.

They don't take well to being left alone all day, their high levels of intelligence will let them know that something is up. If left alone they will become increasingly bored and they will likely turn to mischief to entertain themselves.

Their smartness while being a wonderful trait is what often makes them such difficult dogs to raise at times. Early socialisation and an understanding of the pecking order will go a long way toward conditioning their domineering spirits.

Their success in shows and dog sports demonstrates that with the right sort of training your Kerry Blue could be a model of obedience.

What is the weight & size of a Kerry Blue Terrier?

Both sexes of the Irish Blue terrier will reach up to 12-15kg in weight and grow up to 46-48 cm up to the shoulder.

How much training does a Kerry Blue Terrier need?

Kerry Blues are intelligent, charismatic, and confident dogs that benefit best from a fair, gentle, and sometimes firm hand.

The toughness that makes them so good at killing vermin can often make them difficult to train. For this reason, you must use the right degree of domination to establish that you are the one in charge, otherwise, they will soon take the reigns.

Keep training short and interesting but don't allow their personality to domineer yours. This can be difficult with adorable Kerry Blue puppies especially but keep your head and maintain your position as the authority in your relationship.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Kerry Blue Terrier?

Kerry Blues are generally a healthy breed but like many other purebred dogs, the Kerry tends to suffer from a handful of congenital defects that are worth being aware of -

• Hip dysplasia

• Elbow dysplasia

• Cataracts

• Entropion

• Dry eye

• Skin problems

• Cysts

What is the lifespan of a Kerry Blue Terrier?

If Kerry Blues lead healthy a lifestyle with the proper amount of outdoor exercise with the correct nutrition they can live for up to 12-15 years.

How much should you feed a Kerry Blue Terrier?

When you get your Kerry Blue puppy from a breeder they will provide you with a diet plan for them that it's important you stick to or you'll risk upsetting their gentle digestive system. The breeder will also be able to answer any questions you may have about their diet.

While your dog is developing you will gradually change their diet to one more suited to an adult dog. Two meals a day, one in the morning and one in the evening of high-quality, nutritious food will do it.

Kerry Blues are known to put on weight easily so make sure you're feeding your dog an appropriate food with the right amount of proteins, healthy fats, veggies, and ground bones.

What is the price of a Kerry Blue Terrier in Australia?

The average price of a Kerry Blue terrier requires a budget from as low as $1100 up to $5500. The higher-end will only be for dogs who are bred from champions and you're looking at a median price of around $1300.