Alt Names: Irish Blue Terrier Country of Origin: Ireland

History: 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.

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.

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.

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, their activity level is moderate to high. Kerries require work daily, such as walks, jogging, training, agility, or dog day care activities, to keep them busy and occupied. If they are locked in a fenced yard, they become bored and might bark, fence fight, dig holes or try to escape. It is loyal and gentle towards children.