The Kerry Blue Terrier is well-known for his eye-catching blue coat. This former farm dog, named for the Irish county where he was born, is now an alert, flexible, and energetic watchdog and family companion. Of course, we start with the eye-catching coat that Kerries wears everywhere she goes. It comes in a variety of blue colors, from deep slate to light blue-gray, and is so soft that it’s as lovely to the touch as it is to the eye. The thick coat hides a powerful, well-developed physique that stands under 20 inches at the shoulder and weighs up to 40 pounds. The majesty of the long terrier head is enhanced by a sporting beard and dark, alert eyes.
Kerry Blue Terrier
alert / smart / people-oriented
Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.
Height
18-19.5 inches (male)
17.5-19 inches (female)
Weight
33-40 pounds (male)
females weigh proportionately less than males
Life Expectancy
12-15 years
Breed Traits & Characteristics
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Affectionate With Family
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Openness To Strangers
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!
Playfulness Level
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.
Watchdog/Protective Nature
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.
Adaptability Level
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.
Trainability Level
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!
Energy Level
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.
Barking Level
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.
Mental Stimulation Needs
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.
About the Breed
What To Expect When Caring For a Kerry Blue Terrier
Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.
Health
Kerries are a robust breed. Responsible breeders are continually on the lookout for new tools, such as new DNA tests, to help ensure the absence of hereditary abnormalities in their breeding operations. Inquire with your dog's breeder about health testing suggestions. Many breeders perform basic DNA testing as a best practice and will inform you of the results. The United States Kerry Blue Terrier Club's website is a useful source for up-to-date breed health information. The National Breed Club recommends the following health tests: Hip Evaluation and Ophthalmologist Evaluation Read the Official Breed Club Health Statement.
Grooming
Kerries do not shed, thus their coat must be washed and combed carefully once a week to avoid matting. A comprehensive grooming every six to eight weeks, in addition to frequent brushing, will maintain the coat manageable. Clippers are used to trim the head, neck, ears, and abdomen, but scissors are used to trim the coat. When it comes to learning how to trim your Kerry, your breeder or another Kerry owner is your best resource. Excellent charts and guides can be found on the website of the United States Kerry Blue Terrier Club, as well as videos on YouTube. At least once a week, trim your nails, and clean your ears at least twice a month.
Exercise
Kerries have two speeds: they like gaining exercise by playing retrieve or jogging alongside their owner. They also enjoy one-on-one time with their owner while the rest of the family watches TV or gathers around the fireplace. Most Kerries essentially want to be with their owners, participating in whatever activity they are doing at the time. The breed especially enjoys exercising their brains and body by participating in a variety of canine sports with their human partner, including obedience, herding, dock diving, and barn search.
Training
Kerries are incredibly intelligent and like agility, obedience, rally, barn hunting, herding, and even dock diving. Keeping their mind and body busy will aid in the development of a joyful and well-adjusted family member. A beginning obedience lesson with an instructor who has dealt with Terriers is essential, as is socialization. It's always a good idea to enroll your puppy in a puppy training class and to think about getting an AKC Canine Good Citizen title. Regular outings but not to dog parks help to develop a well-rounded, well-socialized dog.
Nutrition
The Kerry Blue Terrier should thrive on high-quality dog food, whether purchased commercially or cooked at home with your veterinarian's supervision and consent. Any diet should be tailored to the age of the dog (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to becoming overweight, so keep an eye on your dog's calorie intake and weight level. Treats can be a valuable training aid, but feeding too much can lead to obesity. Discover which human foods are suitable for dogs and which are not. If you have any concerns regarding your dog's weight or diet, consult with your veterinarian. At all times, clean, fresh water should be available.
History
The Kerry takes its name from its home county. The uncertainty of its origins inspired amusing blarney about leprechauns, shipwrecks, and other fantastic origin stories. We do know that Kerries were hardworking agricultural dogs known for their flexibility. The breed was a mascot for nationalists throughout the Irish independence fight, and they’ve been top show winners since the early twentieth century. Mick, a Kerry, was one of the finest show dogs of the 2000s.
