About Kerry Blue Terriers

Kerry Blue Terrier Overview

Among the largest of the AKC terriers, the Kerry Blue Terrier is famous for his show-stopping blue coat. Named for the Irish county of his birth, this onetime farm dog is today an alert, adaptable, and animated watchdog and family companion. Their coat comes in shades of blue from a deep slate to a light blue-gray and is so soft that it's as pleasing to the touch as it is to the eye. The dense coat covers a muscular, well-developed body standing below 20 inches at the shoulder and weighing up to 40 pounds. A sporty beard and dark, keen eyes accentuate the nobility of the long terrier head. The breed displays true terrier tenacity, although they often can be trained to do just about anything, they simply love to have a job. They generally are very friendly to people, but are incredibly loyal to their family.

The Great Stuff

1.) Versatile - Kerry Blues are extremely versatile. They thrive on having a job to do, no matter what that is. Bred as an irish farm dog they took care of the vermin on the farm but could also herd, pull a badger out of a hole, or just chill next to their owner. That is still true today, they can be taught to do many things from fetching the paper to tracking scent. And they will do it all with excitement and a toothy grin.

2.) Great with Children - Kerry Blues seem to have a natural ability with children, they simply love them. I have also found them to be very sensitive to the feelings or conditions of people around them. My own know when they are around the elderly and tone down their excitement level around them. It is incredible to watch them interact with people of varying levels of activity or strength.

3.) Sense of Humor - Coming from the Irish I don't find their sense of humor to be very surprising. They can be a bit naughty at times, but usually at the expense of a laugh. They don't take themselves too seriously generally, often being a bit of a goof to bring a smile from their family.

4.) Hypoallergenic - Kerry Blues are light/no shedding. As my husband is allergic to dogs I can say this is a breed he lives with and has no issues with his allergies. And you won't be endlessly vacuuming or lint rolling.

5.) No Wet Dog Smell - Kerry Blues hair is similar to sheep's wool and doesn't hold smells like some breeds. Unless your pup is pretty dirty they just don't stink! As a side note, Kerry hair is so similar to wool it can even be spun into yarn!

6.) Loyal - These dogs LOVE their family!! Going for a walk, playing in the yard, hanging out on the couch, these dogs have to be right next to you all the time. They can be good with other pets, especially if the Kerry grows up with them. Some are great friends with cats and other dogs, etc.

The Not So Great Stuff

1.) Grooming - Kerry Blues are a high needs breed. Regular brushing and a trim about every 4-6 is necessary to keep them from matting. This is especially true during their coat change from puppy to adult, matting becomes more frequent during this time.

2.) Dog Aggression - This breed can be dog aggressive. They are not typically friendly to strange dogs. And sometimes having same sex pairs can be problematic. They seem to do best in boy/girl pairs. Training your dog to focus on you on walks and in public is great help with this. Many Kerries that are not dog friendly still compete in many sports and have learned to focus on their task and their handler rather than what is around them.

3.) High Energy - This isn't really a negative but if you are looking for a dog that's just going to snuggle on the couch with you 24/7, this is not the dog for you. Kerry Blues are a working dog that need a job, regular exercise and brain stimulation. If they don't receive these things regularly watch out for naughtiness, they are very smart and will find a way to get what they need, at your cost!

4.) Health Issues - While Kerry Blues are a relatively healthy breed they are susceptible to a few things. Some can have some allergy issues, we usually recommend a grain free diet because of this. While heartworm and flea and tick prevention are important we do not recommend any type of medication that stays in the body longer than a month, such as Bravecto or the heartworm shot. We also recommend not over vaccinating your Kerry Blue.