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The misunderstood family and sporting dog is versatile, intelligent and sociable
The character of the Kerry Blue Terrier
A look at its versatile tasks in the past and its role in hunting badgers, otters and other predators quickly makes it clear: the Kerry Blue lives up to its name as a terrier. He has toughness, courage and stamina. He does not know how to give up. A high energy level, constant attention and the desire to do something demand time and attention from the owner.
Kerry Blue Terriers form a close bond with their humans. Compared to other dog breeds, they are considered easy to train and manage if you already have dog experience. They have a good portion of “will to please” - the will to please. The Kerry is calm and relaxed in the house and follows you wherever you go, which is why it has the nickname “human shadow”. Thanks to his innate protective instinct, he is an attentive guard and protector, regardless of his own existence.
Due to his good manageability, he can be taught to remain recallable at all times and thus put a stop to his natural hunting instinct. As a puppy, it is no problem to socialize the Kerry with other pets. He is then a favorite friend of cats and co. With people - and especially children - the Kerry Blue has the patience of a saint. He will willingly play with you for hours and will happily go jogging with you afterwards. Anyone who has ever owned a Kerry knows the saying: “Once a Kerry, always a Kerry.”
Training and attitude
As with dog ownership and training in general, this must also be done consistently with Kerry's. A “NO” remains a “NO”. If you are a first-time dog owner, it is advisable to have the training supervised by an experienced dog trainer. Good socialization is the basis for being able to take your dog everywhere with you later on. With terriers, it is particularly important to teach them how to interact with other dogs. This can be practiced in puppy play groups, for example, which are offered by many clubs or dog schools.
When living together in an apartment, it is important that you exercise your Kerry Blue Terrier - both physically and mentally. A house with a garden that the Kerry Blue can guard is ideal for this breed. Due to the jumping ability of terriers, make sure you have a high and secure fence.
Care of the Kerry Blue Terrier
The curly Irish has a soft and curly coat that does not shed. It should be brushed regularly and washed every 6 to 8 weeks. The Kerry is then cut into shape. If you want to own a properly groomed Kerry, you need to find a groomer who can cut a Kerry, and not many can. Ask your breeder to teach you how to groom correctly or attend a grooming seminar, then you will save money and be proud to have the most beautiful and noble of all terriers in your home. Remove hair from the eyes, ears and paws and remove any tangles from the legs early on.
Kerry Blue Terrier: Special features and health
Overall, the Irish dog breed is considered to be very robust. The Kerry Blue Terrier has been on the list of rare dog breeds for some time now. For the few litters, attention is paid to particularly healthy breeding with appropriately tested animals. It is generally advisable to only buy from a breeder certified by a club or association such as the VDH (German Kennel Club). The life expectancy of a Kerry is around twelve to 15 years with good care and breed-appropriate exercise and feeding.
Description of the physical breed characteristics
Head Profusely coated. Males should have a stronger head and be more muscular than females.
Skull: Strong and well balanced.
Stop: Low.
Skull Nose: Black, nostrils large and wide.
Muzzle: The foreface should be of medium length Teeth: Large, even and white, scissor bite, pincer bite acceptable.
Jaws: Jaws strong and muscular with the ability to grip at all times.
Mouth: Gums and palate dark pigmented.
Eyes: Dark or dark hazel, medium sized and well set, penetrating in expression.
Ears: Thin and not large, falling forward or pointing forward carried close to the sides of the head so that the penetrating keen terrier expression is further emphasised.
Neck of suitable proportions, with good shoulder set on, moderately long.
Body Back: Medium length, level.
Loin: Of moderate length.
Chest: Deep, moderately broad, well sprung ribs.Tail: Thin, well set on, carried erect and jaunty.
Limbs
Forequarters Forelegs, seen from the front, straight, with good bone.
Shoulders: Clearly defined, sloping and well laid back.
Hindquarters The hind legs are well under the body.
Upper thigh: Well developed, muscular.
Hocks: Strong.
Paws: Compact, pads strong and round, nails black.
Gait / Movement Well coordinated and parallel, ground covering in the forequarters, with powerful drive from the hindquarters. When moving, the topline should remain straight, head and tail should be carried high.
Coat
Hair Soft, luxuriant and wavy.
Colour Blue in any shade, with or without black markings. Black is only permissible up to the age of 18 months, the same applies to a tan colour.
Size and weight Height at withers:
For males 45.5 to 49.5 cm,
for bitches 44.5 to 48 cm,
Weight:
For males 15 to 18 kg,
for bitches correspondingly less.
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
Front bite, back bite.
Flesh coloured gums.
Yellow or light coloured eyes.
Arched or sunken back.
Narrow chest.
Protruding elbows.
White or ivory coloured claws.
Wolf claws on the hind legs, or signs that these have been removed.
Narrow, cow-hocked or stalked action of the hindquarters.
Dogs that have to have their head or tail held up in the ring should be penalised.
Hard, wiry or bristly coat.
Any colour other than blue, with the exceptions mentioned above.
Dogs clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities must be disqualified.
N.B. Male dogs must have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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