Kerry Blue Terrie
Kerry Blue Terrier Temperament
The Kerry Blue Terrier is a lovable, gentle, and sociable dog, with a high degree of intelligence and plenty of enthusiasm. This energetic breed loves to play and spend time sharing activities with his family - this is not the breed for those with little time for their pets, as these dogs can otherwise get bored and destructive. Lively and confident, the Kerry Blue Terrier can make a good family pet, but is best suited to those with some experience of dog ownership and training. This is because this breed can be headstrong and quite manipulative, requiring a confident, assertive owner who known what they are doing in terms of training.
It is important to make sure that your Kerry Blue Terrier is socialized from an early age to ensure that he develops a well balanced temperament and personality. These dogs make effective watchdogs, as they are protective, but some can be a little too protective. These dogs get along well with children who are gentle, but do not appreciate being handled roughly. He can also be quite possessive of his belongings and food. These dogs will not readily stand down if challenged by another dog, and if you have other pets such as cats you will need to ensure that your dog is socialized early on. The Kerry Blue Terrier may be wary around strangers.
Kerry Blue Terrier Appearance
Although born black, the Kerry Blue Terrier's coat should have developed into a beautiful blue/gray color by the time he is around a year and a half old. The coat of the Kerry Blue Terrier is abundant, wavy, and soft, and the distinctive feature of the breed is the profuse facial hair, which makes these dogs stand out from the crowd. This is a medium sized dog, with a sturdy and robust build. The Kerry Blue Terrier reaches around 17-19 inches for females, and around 18-20 inches for males. In terms of weight the female Kerry Blue Terrier weighs in at around 30-35 pounds, and the male from around 35-40 pounds.
Kerry Blue Terrier Grooming
The grooming requirements for the Kerry Blue Terrier are pretty high, so you will need to be prepared to put some work in to keep that lustrous wavy coat in good condition. You will need to brush and comb the coat of the Kerry Blue Terrier on a weekly basis, and you will need to ensure that his beard is kept clean and brushed each day. You will need to keep the hair around the bottom clipped for hygiene reasons, and also clip the hair on the head once a month or so. The coat on the body will also need to be clipped or shaped with scissors to keep it trim. You should regularly check that the dog's ears are clean and dry and reduce the risk of ear infections. When properly groomed the Kerry Blue Terrier is a low shedder, and may therefore suit allergy sufferers.
Kerry Blue Terrier Health Problems and Life Expectancy
The life expectancy of the Kerry Blue Terrier is around 12-16 years, and there are a number of health problems associated with the breed, although it is largely a fairly hardy and healthy breed. Some of the health issues to look out for include blood disorders, HD, cataracts, benign cysts, skin problems, allergies, and thyroid problems. The parents of the Kerry Blue Terrier puppy should have OFA and CERF certificates.
Kerry Blue Terrier History
The Kerry Blue Terrier originates from Ireland, and was developed by shepherds in the eighteenth century. These dogs were bred for a number of purposes, and proved their versatility by taking on roles ranging from herding sheep to hunting small game and birds. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1922.
# AKAIrish Blue Terrier
# SizeMedium
# Ease of trainingLow/Medium
# GroomingHigh
# SheddingLow
# Exercise neededDaily walks
# Energy levelMedium
# ProtectionMakes an effective watchdog
# Good with childrenYes, with gentle children
# Health clearancesOFA, CERF
# Popularity114/155
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