Kerry Blue Terrier - Breed Information

Kerry Blue Terriers
(AKC Registered)

Table of Contents

• Breed Description 
• History 
• Characteristics and Temperament 
• Care and Training 
• Special Medical Problems 
• Frequently Asked Questions 
• References - Books, Periodicals

Breed Description

The Kerry Blue Terrier is recognized by all major kennel clubs. 
Brief Summary of Breed Standards (CKC/AKC/KC) 

Height: Dogs 18-19 1/2" (46-48 cm) at withers; bitches 17 1/2-19" (45- 47 cm). Weight: Dogs 33-40 lb (15-17 kg); bitches slightly less. General Appearance: Upstanding, well knit and proportioned, well developed and muscular body showing good balance. Character: A compact and powerful, yet graceful terrier. Displays an attitude of alert determination and definate terrier style and character throughout. "Disciplined gameness." 

Head is long and well-proportioned with V-shaped ears and dark eyes showing a keen terrier expression. Neck is clean and moderately long, set on well laid back shoulders. Chest deep, but of moderate breadth. Legs straight, moderately long and well muscled. Back short, strong and level. Tail is carried gaily erect. Coat is silky soft, dense and wavy, any shade from deep slate through blue-grey to silvery. Colour usually takes 18 months to clear. Solid black is a disqualification as are dewclaws on hind legs. 

The coat is one of the most attention-getting features of this breed. Pus are born either solid blue-black (sometimes a tiny white patch on the chest) or a very dark grey, and their skin, particularly on the back,is blue. As they grow, the coat begins to "clear" or lighten toward the mature colour. Often a brownish or tan tone appears during the clearing process; this is normal and will usually disappear as the pup matures. The standard specifies that the coat should clear by 18 months; prior to this a tan tone or solid black will be tolerated in the breed ring. Despite the specification that mature colour should be reached by 18 months, many Kerries take longer to clear and may not reach their final colour for 2 or 3 years. Darker points on the legs, tail and head can occur and are acceptable as long as the darker colouration does not extend down the neck from the head. 

While any shade of blue-grey is permissible, many breeders aim for a medium blue. The very light, silvery coats tend to have poor texture; they are often cottony and lack wave. These coats also grow more slowly. At the other extreme, the darkest dogs often have excellent coats; extremely dense with good texture and wave. However, solid black is a disqualification and many judges favour medium toned dogs. 
 

History

"In the morn they herd the cattle; at noon they come in and tread the wheel to churn the butter; in the afternoon they herd again and after supper are turned out to guard the sheep, the chickens and geese and pigs. The last thing that they do before going to bed is to take off the pants of an Irishman." 
an Irish Kerry breeder writing in an 1924 magazine, quoted by Montgomery.

The Kerry Blue Terrier (also known as the Irish Blue Terrier in Ireland) is one of three closely related, long-legged, all-purpose working terriers which were distilled from the great mixture of coat colours, textures and dispositions that were found throughout the Irish countryside over the last few centuries. The Kerry's two Irish cousins are the Irish terrier and the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier; the latter is often considered an ancestor of the Kerry Blue. 
Forbidden by law to own the ancient Irish wolfhound (that privilege was reserved for the aristocratic class), the crofters concentrated on breeding terriers to their own needs and tastes. These farm dogs needed to combine herding, guarding, hunting, retrieving and vermin destroying talents. They were also family members who played with and watched over the children and curled up at the hearth. Crosses between various groups of dogs including hounds were made to obtain these traits and it is likely that a fair amount of Irish wolfhound blood ended up in the terriers. 

A popular story told of the Kerry is that during the invasion by the Spanish Armada, a small spaniel with a soft blue-grey coat swam ashore from a ship wreck and mated with the native terriers, producing off- spring with terrier form and a soft bluish coat. Other variations of this story cast the invading dog as a blue-coloured Russian terrier from a wreck in Tralee Bay and as a Portuguese water dog from a Portuguese trading ship. 

The Kerry as a distinct breed showed up slightly later than the Irish and Wheaten, emerging in the notes of dog enthusiasts in the latter part of the 1800's. Although the Wheaten is considered one of the more direct ancestors of the Kerry, most Kerry sources claim that the race of blue terriers with soft coats were present for several centuries, particularly in the south-west Irish county of Kerry and its environs. 

Kerries were first at shown in England in the early 1920's and were recognized by the Kennel Club in 1922. The first Kerry Blues in North America were five pets imported in 1918-9; the breed first appeared at shows in the very early 1920's. 

Kerries have been used for retrieving small game and water fowl, for herding sheep and cattle, as police dogs in the United Kingdom, and as guard dogs at UK military installations during the Second World War. 
 

Characteristics and Temperament

"The Kerry just isn't everybody's dog - he's too smart for that. If you don't understand him or don't accept him as one of the family, then he just doesn't turn on that personality for which he is famous. 
"To like a Kerry, you've first got to like the Irish, for a Kerry is very much a part of his native land. The only Irish custom I've so far not seen in the Kerry is the smoking of a clay pipe. He has all the other traits: the rare blarney humor, the facile wit and the blazing temper." 

- Montgomery p137

Kerry Traits: 

• stubborn, proud, tenacious, courageous, bold, can be pugnacious 
• highly intelligent, curious, trainable, eager to please 
• energetic, sometimes to the point of boisterous, and playful 
• good sense of humour 
• good-natured, merry, affectionate 
• loyal 
• a "family" dog, not a one-person dog 
• good with children, has a gentle mouth 
• has stamina, vigour, and endurance; is very stoical. 

• firm, consistant, fair, and determined (more stubborn than the Kerry!) 
• fun-loving, affectionate, energetic, a good sense of humour. 

Care and Training

Feeding
Kerries are usually not picky eaters. Feed premium quality food for good coat condition and lasting health. Breeders will supply detailed information from their experience. Dry food is the most convenient, since there is less tendency to gum up the whiskers. Tartar formation is also reduced with dry food. 

Grooming
Kerries have extensive grooming requirements, comparable to the amount needed for a poodle. Weekly brushing is essential and daily brushing is ideal to keep the coat and skin in top condition and free of mats. Bathing and trimming is required about every 6-8 weeks. The coat may be either clipped or scissored; the latter is usual for conformation showing. Grooming tools include clippers with interchangable blades, metal comb with medium and coarse teeth, slicker brush, guillotine-type nail clippers, scissors, thinning shears, and hemostats (forceps - e.g., the locking type with curved tips) to pluck the ears. The Kerry books cited below and most good multi-breed grooming books describe the proper cut. Choose a professional groomer carefully - many are unfamiliar with Kerries and the dog will end up looking like a Schnauzer. 

Exercise
The Kerry Blue has a moderate exercise requirement. A fenced yard where he can run is ideal. This should be supplemented with daily walks. Kerries are enthusiastic retrievers and love to play ball and frisbee, making them easy to exercise even in limited space. Most love to swim, too. 

Training
Start early; get into a puppy kindergarten class as soon as shots are completed. Sixteen weeks not too early, but start with a flat buckle collar at this age, not a chain or nylon slip ("choke") collar. Use motivational, positive reinforcement training - the Kerry stubborn streak and intelligence will respond best to training if it is made to be "worth her while" and the instinctive desire to please is appealed to. Lessons must be short and fun for both dog and trainer or the Kerry will become bored. A Kerry's grasp of what is required is often intuitive, and training can proceed remarkably quickly. Kerries do well at obedience work; heeling can be the most difficult exercise to train. Many Kerries have earned their U.D. title and some have acquired the T.D. title. Kerries have also participated in agility and flyball. 

"Home Alone" Kerries
Although their preference is to accompany their packmates, Kerries are flexible, adaptable dogs that can integrate into families where everyone works outside the home during the day. This sort of relationship will require extra dedication from all family members to interact with the Kerry when they are home - exercise, play, training etc. Discuss the matter with the breeder and have them assist in selecting a pup with correct temperament for this lifestyle. An adult Kerry may be advisable for people who cannot come home during the day to care for a pup. 
Crate training is highly recommended. The Vari-Kennel 300 or 400 are appropriate sizes. 

Special Medical Problems
Kerry Blues are typically healthy dogs that remain active all their lives. The life-span of the Kerry ranges from about 10 to as much as 18 years and averages about 13 years. Inherited medical problems are infrequent and are usually not life-threatening. Details of medical conditions that have been reported in Kerries are listed below; in general, these conditions are uncommon unless otherwise indicated. 
 

• Lumps on the skin are very common in Kerries. These are usually epidermal cysts/sebaceous gland cysts, or dermal cysts. Typically they do not cause any problems, however, they can rupture or become infected. Fast-growing or large lumps should be checked by a veterinarian. 
• Corns (footpad keratoses), warty growths, and calluses in and between footpads may affect some dogs. These can be painful and affect gait. Corns may be inherited and may be associated with thin pads or flat feet. They can be surgically removed but may recur. Antibiotics and corticosteroids are another treatment option in some cases. Nasal keratoses may also occur. 
• Juvenile cataracts is a very uncommon disorder and apparently only occurs in some bloodlines. If the problem is present, it will appear at an early age, i.e. before 6 months. 
• Entropion (turning in of the eyelid and lashes toward the eyeball causing irritation of the cornea) may be present as an inherited or an acquired condition. Surgical correction is required. 
• Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS, dry eye) is a condition resulting from lack of tear production. The problem may be congential or induced by a number of conditions. Veterinary treatment is required and condition may be chronic. 
• Kerry ears are quite prone to external ear canal infections (chronic otitis externa) since there is often a large amount of hair in the ear canal. If the ears are not kept clean, dry and plucked, wax, dirt and moisture easily accumulate and foster bacterial and fungal growth. 
• Progressive Neuronal Abiotrophy (nerve disorder affecting gait) is a rare condition which is inherited, progressive and untreatable. Symptoms initially appear between 2 - 6 months. By one year of age, the dog is incapable of standing. This disease was first thought to come from one particular bloodline, but subsequent cases have developed in other lines as well. Currently, there is no method of testing for carrier status, however the USKBTC is working on a method of genetic status detection. Contact the Health and Genetics Committee for more info (address below). 
• Missing teeth (particularly premolars) are fairly common in Kerry Blue Terriers. While this is not a disqualification according to the standard, breeders have been recommended to regard it as a fault. Undershot and overshot bites also occur. Puppies with a _slight case_ of these conditions may "out grow" it, but if the dog is past its growth stage the condition will probably be permanent. 
• Canine hip displaysia occurs infrequently compared to other breeds due to this terrier's moderate size and strong musculature. Many breeders do have breeding stock x-rayed and certified by Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (in the US). As of 1992, of the radiographs submitted to the OFA for grading, 11% were displasic and 5% were borderline. Certified Hip graded percentages were distributed as: Excellent (12%); Good (54%); Fair (18%). Please note that these numbers only represent those radiographs submitted to the OFA for certification; most dogs are not screened, so the true breed incidence is unknown. 
• Subluxation of the patella occurs occasionally. The kneecap is not properly seated at the stifle, either as a result of weakened ligament development and/or improperly formed knee assembly. This can be an acquired (due to injury or trauma) or an inherited condition. 
• Hypothyroidism is not uncommon in Kerries as in many other breeds. Ninety per cent of cases are caused by autoimmune thyroiditis. The condition can be corrected with hormone supplementation. 
• Autoimmune diseases have been reported to occur in the Kerry Blue as in other breeds. The over 40 diseases grouped under this heading share a common trait in that the dog's immune system has been stimulated to attack the dog's own tissue. Four main causative factors have been identified: genetic disposition; hormonal influence; infections (especially viruses); and stress. Current concerns include Factor XI deficiency (a rare inherited blood clotting abnormality), von Willebrands disease (another rare blood clotting abnormality), and Addison's disease (a rare adrenal gland disorder). 

Frequently Asked Questions

References

Books
Izant, E. 1982. The Kerry Blue Terrier. W.W. Denlinger and R.A. Rathman (eds.). Denlinger's Publishers, Ltd., Fairfax, VA. 112 pp. ISBN 0-87714- 060-X. (A well-written compilation of information on Kerries. A good series of line drawings to illustrate various aspects of conformation complements the numerous photographic examples. Not as detailed as Montgomery's book but contains more up-to-date information. Rather expensive.) 

Montgomery, E.S. 1965. The New Complete Kerry Blue Terrier. 2nd Ed. Howell Book House, NY. 293 pp. No ISBN. (This book is now out of print - it is limited to the last century and first half only of this century - but it is an excellent source of information on all aspects of Kerries and contains much information about the early breeders. Check with libraries for copies - it is worth tracking down if you are seriously interested in the breed.) 

Schweppe, F. 1990. Kerry Blue Terriers. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Neptune City, NJ. 191 pp. No ISBN. (A fairly short and superficial treatment of the breed; most of the book is given over to generalized dog care. This book is easier to find than the previous two and will be useful to the novice owner. Includes grooming instructins) 

United States Kerry Blue Terrier Club, Inc. 1992. The Kerry Blue Terrier Handbook. Goslin Printing Company, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 322 pp. No ISBN or ISSN. (An excellent source of breed information and has the most comprehensive medical information section of any book published on the Kerry. Includes US national and regional club addresses and advertisements from numerous breeders. Available from the club secretary for US$10, including shipping.) 

Periodicals
Kerry Blue Notes. Quarterly newsletter of the Kerry Blue Terrier Club of Canada. Jacqueline Irving, editor. Louise Lang, publisher, Toronto , ON. No ISSN. 

Terrier Type. 1988. Vol.28, No. 7. Special Issue: The Kerry blue terrier in America. Ed./Publ. Dan Kiedrowski, LaHonda, CA. ISSN 0199-6495. 

Web Sites

• American Kennel Club