The Kerry Blue Terrier

The Kerry Blue Terrier originated in the 1700s, named after the Irish county of Kerry, and “blue” due the colour of their coat.  The Kerry Blue is thought to be a combination of the Portuguese Water Dog, Soft coated Wheaten Terrier and possibly Irish Wolfhound. A historical writing on Irish dogs discovered from over a century ago also mentions a breed, the “Harlequin Terrier” which sounds quite similar to the Kerry Blue.

Today, the Kerry Blue is used as an all-round hard working terrier, utilised for everything 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.  As a breed, Kerry Blues enjoy being close with their owners and make great watch dogs, although will not attack unless they are provoked. They are very switched on, alert and enjoy playing rough. The Kerry Blue is a very friendly breed and will get along with strangers and other pets if introduced properly. However, they are very strong-minded and are a breed that requires a strong pack leader. Firm training will ensure no aggressive behaviour. If the Kerry Blue is allowed to have the upper hand they will test and 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, and 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.

Grooming is a regular requirement for the Kerry Blue, and they should be professionally groomed every 6 weeks. As with most long-haired breeds, the Kerry Blue is prone to ear infections. To prevent this, the ear hair needs to be cleaned and groomed, 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.
​