Kerry Blue Terrier
Kerry Blue Terrier is the national symbol of Ireland.
Appearance
Kerry Blue Terriers are strong, but graceful, medium sized dogs that have long been used to hunt fox, otter and badger. The maximum height of dogs at withers is 49 cm, weight – 18 kg.
Kerry Blue Terrier has a harmonious, proportional body build, compact, muscular body, straight back, short loin, wide, strong chest, muscular limbs with strong bones. The neck is strong, of medium length, the head is elongated, with a barely noticeable transition from the forehead to the muzzle, the jaws are strong, the teeth are strong and powerful. The eyes are medium in size, dark. The ears are thin, the tips of the ears are directed forward and are adjacent to the skull. The tail is thin, mobile, raised high up.
The coat is thick, soft and wavy. Color: black and blue, puppies are born completely black, and blue appears to be 18 months old.
Character
In the past, an excellent hunting dog for foxes, otters and badgers today is a sensitive, affectionate and unusually energetic pet. Kerry Blue Terrier is loyal to the owner with all his heart and is attached to family members, he is incredibly obedient and affectionate, and he treats children carefully and carefully, sharing funny ideas and infecting them with his joie de vivre.
However, despite the friendliness of people, a proud and attention-loving pet can strongly interfere with other pets, so it is better to start a Kerry Blue Terrier as the only pet.
This is a smart, balanced dog that will easily cope with the task of the caretaker. And it does not matter that its size does not frighten the criminals: most importantly, it will always warn the host about strangers by loud barking, and, if necessary, show the lion’s courage, firmly defending the territory entrusted to her.
But despite the numerous positive qualities of the breed, do not forget that this is a hunting dog with an independent character and a burden to leadership. To direct the energy and talents of the pet in the right direction, the dog must be educated and trained from an early age. Kerry Blue Terrier training must be persistent and patient, and this dog’s rough handling is unacceptable. In the process of rearing, a proud dog can at first demonstrate stubbornness, however, with a competent approach, it will quickly turn into respect and dedication to its owner, and the terrier will become involved in the learning process with interest.
Health
Kerry Blue Terriers are naturally strong and healthy dogs with very strong immunity. It may be noted that the breed is prone to hip dysplasia, cataracts and cerebellar abiotrophy, but such diseases are rare. Dogs’ ears, which due to their structure are predisposed to infections, require regular inspection.
The life span of a Kerry Blue Terrier is on average 13-15 years.
Care
It is unpretentious in the maintenance and care of the breed. Dogs do not have an undercoat and do not shed, it is enough to comb the hair several times a week and shear 3-4 times a year, giving the dog a classic appearance.
Energetic terriers need daily active walks, and with optimal physical exertion, they feel great in terms of housing.
Story
This beautiful and bold breed originated on the distant shores of Ireland, in the mountainous county of Kerry in the south-west of the country. According to one of the versions, the ancestors of the Kerry Blue are Irish Terriers, Bedlington Terriers and even Bull Terriers. Long since these dogs demonstrated their talents in the hunt for fox, otter and badger. The breed is said to be about 150 years old, but the locals are sure: the history of the Kerry Blue Terrier is much longer.
Due to their versatile qualities, these dogs have always been considered universal. They were excellent hunters, rat catchers and reliable watchmen, and the dog’s great love of swimming made it easy to use them for hunting deep water.
For the first time at the exhibition, the breed was introduced in 1887, and the adoption of the standard dates back to 1920. Today, Kerry Blue Terriers are irresistible as pets, and they are also often used for police service.