KERRY BLUE TERRIER DOG BREED

Description:

The Kerry Blue Terrier is playful, cheerful, prompt and yet very noisy. This breed can be a wonderful pet, it peacefully coexists with other animals, provided that you socialize it properly. At the same time, dogs of this breed have keen protective instincts, and so they make excellent watchdogs. However, the Kerry Blue Terrier does not show any signs of aggression and will never attack first, unless provoked. The Kerry Blue Terrier was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1922.

Height: 17-20 inches  Weight: 33-40 pounds  Lifespan: 12- 15 years

Characteristics:

The Kerry Blue Terrier can easily master required obedience rules. Nevertheless, make sure to apply a variety of training sessions, since Blue Terriers may get bored or even discouraged. Kerry Blue Terriers get great pleasure from communicating with their family but do not leave them alone with small children. Friendly to strangers and always willing to please; a dog of this breed can really dispel the boredom. Comparable Breed: Airedale Terrier, Border Terrier.

Character:

Like all Terriers, the Kerry Blue Terrier can be somewhat aggressive, but properly conducted socialization will help you to quickly deal with this problem. The Kerry Blue Terrier is a very intelligent breed that loves to play. At the same time, this dog is quite independent, so teaching lessons should be based on diversity, dynamism, and firmness.

Coat / Care:

Soft, wavy and thick, the Kerry Blue Terrier’s coat requires considerable care in order to be well-groomed and beautiful. The hair on the body should be tight and neat, and the muzzle should be adorned with longer strands that form a unique and characteristic beard. A thorough and professional care is required once a month. The hair on the dog’s ears should be pulled out, and the ears themselves need to be regularly cleaned, in order to avoid ear infections. Shedding is practically absent. In order to maintain the beauty of the hair and to prevent tangling, you must comb and brush your pet weekly. If the beard becomes very dirty, the dog should be bathed. But usually, it is required only once a week.

Health Problems:

The Kerry Blue Terrier is generally healthy dog breed, but like all breeds, they can be prone to Entropion, Hypothyroidism, Keratoses, Cancer, Skin Cysts, Cataracts, Dry Eye, Factor Xl Deficiency, Patellar Luxation, Hip Dysplasia, Chronic Otitis Externa and Progressive Neuronal Abiotrophy (PNA). The Kerry Blue Terrier has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.

Weight / Height

The male Kerry Blue Terrier dog breed’s height is around 18 – 19.5 inches and weighs around 33 and 40 pounds. Female Kerry Blue Terrier dogs can reach a size from 17.5 – 19 inches and weighs between 33 and 35 pounds.

Training:

The Kerry Blue Terrier is very intelligent and active, always doing his utmost to win praise from his master. However, if you want your pet to become obedient and friendly, consistent training is a must. A steady hand and a considerable variety of teaching methods will be the most efficient. Furthermore, if you want to achieve success in obedience training, you have to show perseverance and confidence.

Activity:

Dogs of this breed genuinely enjoy long walks. The problem is that their long coat needs to be washed after each of these trips, especially those strands that are located on the bottom of the trunk and legs. In essence, the Kerry Blue Terrier does not require a significant amount of exercise. Nevertheless, this dog gets real pleasure from physical and mental work.

Photo Credit: Martin Hesketh/Flickr; Martin Hesketh/Flickr; Martin Hesketh/Flickr