The Kerry Blue Terrier is an Irish dog, native to County Kerry, in the province of Munster, southwestern Ireland. This breed was very typical of the area and acted as a hunting dog. They distinguished themselves mainly by their ability to hunt otters, even submerged in deep water, and badgers, which they hunted in their underground tunnels.
Although it is such a common breed, there is no data that is precisely added to the origin of the Kerry Blue. However, it is believed to have been present in Ireland for several centuries. The first references date back to 1847, but it was not until 1920 that the first club of the breed, the Dublin Blue Terrier Club, was born. Thus, the breed became popular throughout Ireland, crossing its borders in 1928, when it became known in other parts of the world. They became one of the pet dogs of the time, being defined as ideal companions and workers.
- The Kerry Blue Terrier is a medium-sized dog.
- Males weigh between 15 and 18 kg and females are slightly below.
- In the case of males.
- The height at the cross usually varies between 45 and 49.
- 5 centimeters.
- While in females it is between 44 and 48 centimeters.
- So there is some sexual dimorphism.
- The life expectancy of the Kerry Blue Terrier breed varies between 12 and 15 years.
It has a compact and muscular body with straight lines and a wide and deep chest. The medium-insertion tail is thin and appears upright almost all the time. Its limbs are agile, light and highly developed muscles, which end in compact feet, with black nails and round and durable pads. The head is broad and strong, especially in males, and is covered with many hairs. It has a small stop with a big black nose. Its eyes are medium and dark, usually black, brown or hazelnut, and have a furtive appearance.
Now, in the characteristics of the Kerry Blue Terrier, if there is one thing that sets it apart from others is its fur. It is dense and thick, soft-touched and wavy in shape. In addition, the kerry blue terrier is one of the dogs called hypoallergenic and one of the dogs with less body odor. Finally, we highlight the particular toilet that is usually made in this breed of dog, in which the short fur with long beard and “eyebrows” is also quite long.
The colors included in the official Kerry Blue Terrier standard are blue in all shades, with or without black spots. In specimens less than 18 months, the presence of slightly reddish tones, or black tones are accepted.
Kerry Blue Terrier’s Puppy
A Kerry Blue Terrier puppy requires some attention, in addition to the basic care that any puppy should receive. Some of them are, for example, early socialization and games or activities that stimulate you physically and mentally every day.
With an emphasis on socialization, it is important to do so early, as these dogs have a strong temperament, in addition to frequent episodes of aggression or rejection of other dogs. That’s why Kerry Blue needs special attention in this area. You can see some helpful tips on early socialization in this interesting article that explains how to properly socialize a puppy.
Kerry blues is characterized by its extremely active nature, requiring intense or at least moderate physical activity on a daily basis. But not only are they physically active, they are also mentally restless and curious, like the terrier dogs they are, and are distinguished by their constant vigilance and cunning. They also stand out for being true lovers of their family. They like to focus on family and spend time in company, which they need to avoid behavioral changes, such as separation anxiety. For this reason, the Kerry Blue Terrier is not fit for a lonely life.
In addition to all this, they are distinguished by their stubbornness and territoriality, which, as we will show when talking about their formation, makes it a difficult breed for people who have never had contact with them or who lack experience in dog training.
As mentioned above, the Kerry Blue Terrier is an extremely active and energetic dog, who needs to exercise every day to avoid being restless and anxious. You need to do several daily walks, but also other high-intensity or moderate-intensity activities, such as running, swimming, or a sport that allows you to move.
As for the care of the fur, it is necessary to brush it at least four times a week, otherwise tangles and knots are formed practically impossible to undo. Generally, it is advisable to mow the lawn every 2-3 months, although this is not essential and depends, among other things, on the climate in which each specimen lives. In this sense, the environment also influences whether the animal can bring parasites or dirt attached to the fur after its release, so it is highly recommended to check your fur when returning home.
On the other hand, to be very intelligent, within the care of the Kerry Blue Terrier is the proper environmental enrichment, composed of intelligence games that allow it to be well stimulated. However, we must not forget that this dog needs attention, so it is advisable to play with it, avoid leaving it alone for many hours at home and, above all, teach it to handle this loneliness.
A Kerry Blue Terrier usually has, as we have seen, a very powerful personality, which can make education difficult at times. Undoubtedly, the most critical moments are those in which the animal, determined to do what he wants or does not do what he is asked to do, does not give his arm to applaud and does not yield to the demands of the trainer. Therefore, if you have no experience in dog training, it is advisable to hire a professional trainer. Of course, the dog’s response to education and training sessions will also be closely related to the methods used. If you use positive reinforcement, although it may sometimes seem like the Kerry Blue Terrier does not want to cooperate, you are more likely to respond correctly and show a willingness to learn.
Some of the most worked aspects with this breed are those related to territoriality, closely related to possessiveness and aggression, in addition to socialization. In this sense, general contact with different animals and people, as well as the displacement to different environments at the beginning of their development, can facilitate training as the Kerry Blue Terrier puppy grows.
The Kerry Blue Terrier does not stand out as a delicate breed, much less. However, if crosses are made recklessly, really serious changes can occur. In general, Kerry blue terrier officials highlight the resistance of these dogs, which require nothing more than basic care such as regular visits to the veterinarian, with their respective vaccines and deworming.
However, if the crosses are not performed correctly, alterations may occur, such as the dangerous disease of von Willebrand, which would be comparable to the so-called hemophilia in men, or degenerative myelopathy, or Wobbler syndrome, which affects the health of the woman. vertebrae of the animal. Both affect the functioning of the nervous system, being degenerative and of genetic origin, that is, they are hereditary.
If you are looking for a Kerry Blue Terrier for adoption, it is always recommended to visit kennels and animal associations that may have a specimen to adopt. If you can’t find one, you can expand the search area or wait for a sample to appear.
But, without a doubt, the most important thing is not to know where to find it, but to make sure that you can take the commitment and responsibility of having a Kerry Blue Terrier or any other animal. Before adoption, it is essential to know all that it means to welcome a new member to your home, with your own needs and requirements.