The Kerry Blue Terrier originated from the Ireland in the county Kerry in the 1700’s, hence the name Kerry and blue from the coloring of its coat.  It is believed the breed is a contribution of the Portuguese Water Dog, Soft coated Wheaten Terrier and possibly every Irish Wolfhounds and Irish Terriers. There is also a writing on Irish dogs discovered from over a century ago that mentions a breed, Harlequin Terrier which sounds similar to the Kerry Blue.

The Kerry Blue is used as an all round hard working and utility terrier, from small game hunting through to retrieving, farm herding, companionship and police work. They are an extremely playful and affectionate dog and are well known for making people laugh. They like to close with their owners and make great watch dogs, although will not attack unless they are provoked. They are very switched on and alert and enjoy rough playing. The Kerry Blue is a very friendly breed and will get along with strangers and other pets if introduced properly.
Being strong minded and a little silly at times, they are another breed that requires a strong pack leader. With firm training this will insure no aggressive behavior which can sometimes come through in this breed if allowed to have the upper hand. With a ‘weak’ owner they will test, learn what they can get away with and push the limits. They are very protective in their nature and will need regular socialization from a young age. With a high intelligence comes pros and cons, they are very easy to train and can be taught to perform tricks. They also enjoy agility but can become bored very easily, if games or sports become routine the enjoyment will soon burn out. They need regular and constantly changing stimulation. This includes daily walks, to keep their body and mind fit, remembering to make them heel beside or behind you, reminding them they are the dog and you are the pack leader.

Grooming is a regular requirement for the Kerry Blue, they should be professionally groomed every 6 weeks and are prone to ear infections. For this the ear hair needs to be pulled as it can cause wax and dirt build up. On top of this they need to be brushed and bathed once a week at home, unlike most other breeds regular bathing will not dry out the skin. Without this, food and dirt will build up in their beard and become extremely smelly. The rest of their coat is practically odorless, even when wet and is great for allergy sufferers as they shed very little hair.

It's the weekend!
We are so excited to announce that Dogs Country Club & Kennel Resort are 2012 WOMO Service Award Winners! With all your fantastic reviews and excellent feedback it's earnt us this excellent award!

Thank you so very much to everyone that reviewed us on this fantastic site and for anyone that would like to simply click here to submit your own.

We love to be able to continue to give only the highest level of care and without your support this wouldn't be possible.

Have a great weekend -

Gemma & Frodo!

The British Bulldog is a wide, solid dog with a massive head. Also known as the English Bulldog they originated in the British Isles and descended from the ancient Asiatic Mastiff. Their original purpose was to attack full grown bulls in an arena but this practice was banned by law in the 19th century. This was how their name came about and also due to the fact their robust look is similar to that of a little bull. Today though, bulldog’s have a completely different temperament from those of their ancestors.
They are among one of the gentlest breed of dogs. They are extremely affectionate and great with children though are very courageous and excellent guard dogs – their appearance alone generally does the trick! They are very much a people dog and require a lot of human attention to stay happy. They are very determined and persistent so training is a must from a young age. They are highly energetic as pups but do slow down with age. If they begin to show any signs of protective behaviour, either over toys or food this must be addressed straight away. This is the Bulldog showing they are the boss and you must show your place as the pack leader from the beginning.
Due to their facial structure they are prone to breathing problems with some dogs having small windpipes as well. They are very susceptible to heat stroke in warmer weather and poor eyesight. They can have quite sensitive skin and stomachs also and are known to have hip and knee problems. With the correct care, food and a good understanding of their breed, Bulldogs can live a happy and comfortable life. The Bulldog’s primal instinct is to migrate so a daily walk is a must, you will find yourself with some serious behavior problems if this need isn’t met. Again, with all dogs, make sure they are taught to walk behind you, reminding them that you are the pack leader. Their shorted haired, smooth cost is very easy to groom, only needing to bathe when necessary. Their wrinkles around their face will need daily cleaning.
They a great member for an apartment lifestyle and are quite inactive indoors. They do have issues with cooling themselves down in the heat and staying warm in the cooler weather so living indoor is ideal, they can also live happily without a yard.

We hope that everyone's having a great weekend. We thought we should fill your brains with some information today!

The colder months can be difficult to manage your dogs coat, especially if they are long and thick. It is highly important to make sure your dog is groomed regularly and correctly for this time of year. Although brushing can avoid this, it is a common problem at this time of year.

An unmaintained coat can very quickly turn to knots that then become mats, especially if your dog enjoys playing in the puddles and rain.

Not only is a matted coat uncomfortable for your dog but it can cause severe skin problems. Mats can feel like dreadlock and can be tight and close to this skin. This pulls at your dogs skin and can bruise. If your dog gets wet at anytime, whether it be due to bathing or out in the elements, these mats are too thick and won’t dry. This can lead to dermatitis and other skin conditions.

It is advisable to have your long haired dog clipped before the winter months start, therefore they will be able to dry quickly Dog’s can adjust to the temperature much easier than a human , keeping their coat at a shorter length all year round will make it a lot easier for them to regulate their temperature. A dog coat is also a great way to keep them warm, but do keep in mind that their fur will still mat under a coat, so regular brushing is still required. Your dog is going to feel the cold a lot worse is they are matted and become wet.

If your dog is extremely matted you need to get him to the groomers. They will be able to give him a full shave as easily and pain free as possible. If you find a few small mats this is something you will be able to fix from home, keeping in mind these knots are very tight to the skin and extremely sore. Use a good quality conditioner when bathing to allow the mats to come out easier and not cause pain when brushing.

To keep on top of this regularly brush your dog. For medium to long coats daily brushes are required. This will keep your mate happy, healthy and clean throughout winter.

We enjoy our brushes and visits to the hair dressers and with the right groomer, this can be a fun experience.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday,

Gemma & Frodo.