Kerry Blue Terrier facts for kids
A Kerry Blue Terrier
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| Other names | Irish Blue Terrier | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Common nicknames | Kerry | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Origin | Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | |||||||||||||||||||||
The Kerry Blue Terrier is a special type of dog that comes from Ireland. It's also known as the Irish Blue Terrier. These dogs were first bred to help farmers control small animals like rats, rabbits, and foxes. Over time, they became great all-around farm dogs, helping with things like herding sheep and guarding homes.
Today, Kerry Blue Terriers are loved around the world as both family pets and working dogs. Even though one won the famous Crufts dog show in 2000, they are still quite rare compared to some other dog breeds.
Contents
What Does a Kerry Blue Terrier Look Like?
Key Features and Size
Kerry Blue Terriers have a unique look. They have a long head, a flat top to their skull, and a deep chest. Their most famous feature is their soft, wavy coat, which comes in different shades of "blue." This "blue" color is actually a type of grey that changes over time.
When Kerry Blue puppies are born, they are black. As they grow, their coat slowly changes to blue, usually finishing by the time they are two years old. Male Kerry Blues are typically about 46 to 48 centimeters (18 to 19 inches) tall and weigh 12 to 15 kilograms (26 to 33 pounds). Females are a bit smaller, usually 44 to 46 centimeters (17 to 18 inches) tall and weighing 10 to 13 kilograms (22 to 29 pounds).
Their Special Coat
The coat is a very important part of the Kerry Blue Terrier. It feels soft and wavy, almost like a mix of fine human hair and wool. Unlike many dogs, Kerry Blues don't shed their fur. Instead, their hair keeps growing all year long. This means they need regular grooming, at least once a week, and a haircut about every six weeks to keep their coat healthy and tidy.
What is a Kerry Blue Terrier's Personality Like?
Temperament and Training Needs
Kerry Blue Terriers are known for being strong-willed and full of energy. They are very loyal and loving towards their families and are usually gentle with children. In the past, they were sometimes thought to be aggressive towards other animals. However, if they are socialized (meaning they get to meet and interact with other dogs and animals from a young age), they can get along well with others.
Long ago, some Kerry Blues had to pass a special "gameness" test to prove they were good working dogs. These tests showed their ability to catch small animals or track badgers. Kerry Blues are fast, strong, and very smart. They do well in activities like obedience classes, dog agility courses, and even herding sheep. They have even been used as police dogs in Ireland! Modern breeders try to keep their lively spirit while making sure they are not aggressive.
Exercise Requirements
Since Kerry Blue Terriers have long legs and lots of energy, they need a good amount of exercise every day. They need an active owner who can give them early training and help them learn how to behave around others.
How Healthy are Kerry Blue Terriers?
Common Health Concerns
Kerry Blue Terriers are generally healthy dogs. However, like many breeds, they can sometimes have certain health issues that run in their families. Some common problems include eye conditions like dry eyes or cataracts. They might also get small growths on their skin, but these are usually not serious.
Other less common issues can include problems with their hips or thyroid gland. There's also a rare brain condition called Progressive Neuronal Abiotrophy (PNA). Another skin issue, called spiculosis, causes unusually thick hairs, but many breeders have worked to remove this from the breed.
On average, Kerry Blue Terriers live for about 9 and a half years, but many can live much longer, often up to 13 or 14 years old.
Where Did the Kerry Blue Terrier Come From?
Early History and Origins
The first time a dog like the Kerry Blue was written about was in 1847. The description mentioned a bluish-grey dog with darker spots, especially on its legs and muzzle. These dogs were first seen in the mountains of County Kerry in Ireland, which is how they got their name.
There's a fun story about how the breed started: A blue dog supposedly swam ashore from a shipwreck, and its beautiful coat was so admired that it was bred with all the female Wheaten Terriers in the area. This, the story goes, created the Kerry Blue. While it's probably just a legend, some people think the Portuguese Water Dog might be part of the Kerry's family tree. Others believe the Kerry Blue came from mixing the Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier with the Bedlington Terrier, and maybe even some Irish Wolfhound or Irish Terrier blood. An old Irish herding dog called the Gadhar is also sometimes mentioned as a possible ancestor. These dogs became very popular as all-around farm dogs in the countryside of Ireland.
Becoming Ireland's National Dog?
As dog shows became popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s, people started to make the Kerry Blue breed more uniform for competitions. A famous Irish leader named Michael Collins owned a well-known Kerry Blue named Convict 224. Collins even tried to make the Kerry Blue the official national dog of Ireland!
The first show for the Dublin Irish Blue Terrier Club was held in secret because of political unrest at the time. Both sides of the Irish independence movement attended. This club was so successful that it directly led to the creation of the Irish Kennel Club, and a Kerry Blue was the very first dog registered by that club.
See also
In Spanish: Kerry blue terrier para niños
