Question:kerry blue terriers as i have one and he is 5 years old now but i would like to know the history of them as there are so many bad stories about them but ours is so placid and friendly, do they have a vicious streak, we have a male. we lkove him to bits and his great grandma won CRUFTS some years back!
Answers:
they are lovely dogs but like all terriers they are prone for biting first and thinking later, chasing, digging and stubborness. Very rewarding dogs to own if brought up correctly. Sounds like you have a lovely boy, does the history really matter? if so, local libraries usually stock breed books with that sort of info in their pet section.
Other Answers:
I really like them and I do not see many in our area.
I have not had the opportunity to work with one and would love to.
They are a very unique looking dog and being terrier I am sure they are just personality plus.
Terriers have that independant streak and I like it in dogs. Makes training more ofa challange but I feel it improves my abilities if I can get them to mind. Makes me a better trainer.
Kerry Blue Terrier
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Kerry Blue Terrier
Alternative names
Irish Blue Terrier
Country of origin
Ireland
Common nicknames
Kerry
Classification and breed standards
FCI: Group 3 Section 1 #3 Stds
AKC: Terrier Stds
ANKC: Group 2 (Terriers) Stds
CKC: Group 4 - Terriers Stds
KC (UK): Terrier Stds
NZKC: Terrier Stds
UKC: Terriers Stds
A Kerry Blue Terrier is a dog breed that comes from Kerry, Ireland. It was used for hunting, cattle herding, dog fighting, and guarding. Today, the Kerry is a companion and working dog.
Contents [hide]
1 Appearance
1.1 Grooming
2 Temperament
3 Health
4 See also
5 External links
[edit]
Appearance
Some characteristics of the Kerry Blue Terrier include a long head, flat skull, deep chest, and a soft wavy to curly coat that comes in several shades of blue (the term for "gray" in dog coats). Puppies are born black; the blue appears gradually as the puppy grows older, usually up to 2 years of age.
[edit]
Grooming
The coat care is extensive. The Kerry Blue Terrier doesn't shed. The coat is close to the structure of human hair, similar to that of the Poodle or Maltese, and might be suitable for some people with allergies. But the Kerry owner will pay his dues. The coat never stop growing and the Kerry requires weekly brushing to prevent matting. They also need to be trimmed every six to eight weeks. The coat has only one layer and does not protect from the weather, cold, water, or mud. The Kerry should not be kept outside all the time and should dried immediately when back at home.
[edit]
Temperament
Kerry Blue Terriers are strong-headed and highly spirited. They are, together with the Airedale Terrier, one of the best-suited terriers for work. They are fast, strong, and intelligent. They do well in obedience, dog agility, sheep herding, and tracking. They have been used as a police dogs in Ireland. They require an active, skilled owner who can provide them with early socialization and obedience training.
Because they can be dog aggressive and vocal, socialization from puppyhood is an absolute necessity to prevent future problems and veterinary bills.
As a long-legged breed, the activity level of the Kerry Blue Terrier ranges from moderate to high. Kerries require exercise daily; such as walks, jogs, agility-training, or other day care activities to keep them busy and occupied.
Kerries are loyal and gentle towards children.
[edit]
Health
Kerries are fairly healthy, however there are some genetic disorders that are prevelent in the breed. They are prone to eye problems such as Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eyes), cataracts, and entropion. They sometimes get cysts or cancerous growths in their skin, but these are rarely malignant. Hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, cryptorchidism have also been reported. Progressive neuronal abiotrophy (PNA) is also seen. PNA is a disease of the nervous system, in which the cerebellum loses its ability to coordinate movement. PNA is belived to be genetic, but there is no test available that can detect carriers. PNA is degenerative, with affected dogs beginning to be visibly uncoordinated and unable to stand or move without stumbling at around one year of age. There is no known cure for PNA, and affected dogs will have very poor quality of life, often not able to even sit up or eat as the disease progresses, and should be destroyed.
[edit]
See also
Badger-baiting - Kerrys were once used for this sport
[edit]
External links
United States Kerry Blue Terrier Club
The Kerry Blue Terrier Foundation
Kerry Blus Terrier Club of England
I know a bit.. Grab a cuppa its a long one..:-)
One legend says in the days when only the nobility in Ireland was permitted to hunt with the Irish Wolfhound, the peasantry developed the Kerry Blue Terrier from the wolfhound for the purpose of poaching.
Then there is the romantic legend of the Russian Blue Dog, a blue terrier that swam ashore from a Russian ship wrecked in The Bay and was mated to local bitches to produce the Kerry Blue Terrier. Another version identifies the ship as one of those in the Spanish Armada.
Probably this much can definitely be accepted as fact: That the Kerry Blue Terrier, has been known for well over a hundred years; that because of his gameness, intelligence and adptability as a hunting dog, as a herd dog, and a working dog, the Kerry Blue has every attribute that anyone would seek in a dog and be very proud of. It seems reasonable too believe that the Irish kept the strain clear in this breed they admired so greatly. In fact the kerry blue may have been the first dog to be breeding on a systematic plan of pedigree like we know today.. Thats a bit of a clame to fame.
Kerry blues were found mostly in the mountains of Kerry (Ireland) around Lake Killarney. But they were appreciated for their rarity by those who know the Kerry Blue Terrier.
In 1924, the breed was officially recognized and put on a championship rating by the American Kennel Club. What another claim to fame having a grandma who paved the way to being excepted as a breed and looked at my millions as a winner of looks and style.
I think that You have a great dog with so much history.. Its my beliefe that they arte one of the most beautiful, interlectual and loyal dogs on the planet.. I hope that gives you something to say when people give you the nasty story which I might add gets said about almost every breed..
Hope this helps. Michelle
Kerry Blue Terriers originate from Ireland. They were mostly used for hunting. I totally agree with you about temperament though! Kerry Blue are like so many other dogs! Basically respond to the way owners treat them. I have only ever met two troublesome Kerry Blue in my time and both oif these dogs had only one big problem ! Owners! Who thought it was cool to watch their puppy tearing at toys, encouraged them to keep going until the dogs started to tear at their feet etc.
Kerry Blue are loyal and kind little dogs who adore their owners and treat them as they expect to be treated!
You ask if they have a vicious streak, all dogs can be impredictable! But when happy, well looked after and properly nurtured as yours seem to be . I would not worry about anything like that!
On the personal level, a friend of mine has 3 Kerries. She's always had Kerries and never ever had any problems. Naturally . You should never trust any dog with babies/frail people either! But then we all know that!
I'm an OES (Old English Sheepdog aka Bobtail) person myslef, always had, always will have and my newest addition is a male as well (On pic). Males are always harder to train than females; Especially when they have a female owner as they regard themselves as 'the' man about! But they are just as their female counterparts are . Devoted, loyal and such a joy!
I have met more human beings with a nasty streak in them than any dogs i've ever worked with or looked after! Yet of all . I spent 4 years working with so called dangerous dogs . Dogs no one dared approach in the shelter! They never touched me!
So don't worry too much! Enjoy your Kerry. Take care!
They're not usually nasty, but they (and other terriers) can be very tough dogs. Kerry Blues were once used as police dogs in England.
www.akc.org
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