Vivaracho, cheerful, energetic, protective and affectionate, without a doubt all these adjectives serve to describe the breed of dog that we present to you on our site. It is the kerry blue terrier, a dog originally from the Emerald Isle, but which today can be seen in practically any country and region of the world.
The Kerry Blue Terrier, as a member of the terrier group, has a strong character, marked by great stubbornness and strength. This makes it sometimes difficult to train, but nothing that cannot be solved by following some of the tips we provide here. Plus, it's one of the smartest dog breeds in the world! Keep reading to know all the characteristics of the kerry blue terrier
Origin of the Kerry Blue Terrier
The Kerry Blue Terrier is an Irish dog, because Its origin was in County Kerry, in the southwest of the Irish province of Munster. This breed was very typical in the region, exercising the tasks of a hunting dog. Specifically, their skills stood out for the arduous hunting of otters, even when they were submerged in deep waters, and badgers, which they chased through their underground tunnels.
Despite being such a common breed, there are no data to accurately date the date of origin of the kerry blue. However, it is believed to have been present in Ireland for several centuries. The first references date back to 1847, but it was not until 1920 that the first breed club, the Dublin Blue Terrier Club, was created. In this way, the breed became popular throughout Ireland, crossing its borders in 1928, when it began to be known in other parts of the world. They became one of the companion dogs of the moment, defining them as ideal companions and workers.
Characteristics of the Kerry Blue Terrier
The Kerry Blue Terrier is a medium-sized dog, weighing between 15 and 18 kilograms in males, the females being somewhat below their male counterparts. In the case of males, the height at the withers usually ranges between 45 and 49.5 centimeters, while in females it is between 44 and 48 centimeters, with some sexual dimorphism. The life expectancy of the Kerry Blue Terrier breed is between 12 and 15 years.
He has a compact, muscular body with straight lines and a wide, deep chest. The tail, of medium insertion, is fine, looking erect almost all the time. The limbs are agile, light and have very well developed muscles, ending in compact feet, with black nails and round and resistant pads. The head is wide and strong, more so in males, and is covered with a lot of hair. Likewise, it shows off a slight stop with a large black nose. Their eyes are medium sized, dark, usually black, dark brown or hazel and have a shrewd look.
Now, within the characteristics of the Kerry Blue Terrier, if there is something that stands out above the rest, it is its coat. The coat is dense and bushy, with a soft touch and a wavy shape. In addition, the Kerry Blue Terrier is one of the so-called hypoallergenic dogs and one of the dogs with the least body odor. Finally, the particular cut that this dog breed usually wears stands out, in which the short body coat is shown and a long beard and quite long "eyebrows" are maintained.
Colors of the kerry blue terrier
The colors included in the official standard for the kerry blue terrier is blue in any of its shades, with or without black spots. In specimens less than 18 months old, it is accepted that there are slight reddish tones or that they are black.
The kerry blue terrier puppy
A kerry blue terrier puppy requires certain attention, apart from the basic attention that any puppy should receive. Some of them are, for example, early socialization or playing games or activities that stimulate you physically and mentally on a daily basis.
Focusing on socialization, it is important to carry it out early because these dogs have a strong temperament, as well as episodes of aggressiveness or rejection towards other dogs. This is why they require attention in this area. You can see some useful tips on early socialization in this interesting article: "How to properly socialize a puppy?"
kerry blue terrier character
Kerry Blues stand out for being extremely active dogs, requiring intense or at least moderate physical activity on a daily basis. But they are not only active physically, because mentally they are also restless and curious, like terrier dogs that they are, their permanent state of alertness and cunning stand out. They also stand out for being true lovers of their family. They really like to dedicate themselves to their loved ones and spend time in company, which they require in order not to suffer alterations such as separation anxiety. For this reason, the Kerry Blue Terrier is not suitable for solitary life.
As we said at the beginning, these dogs are very intelligentHis sagacity can perplex anyone. For this reason, they are excellent hunters of otters and badgers, since they are not only strong and fast dogs, but also use their intelligence to create strategies in this and practically in all aspects of their lives.
In addition to all of the above, they stand out for their stubbornness and territoriality, which, as we will show when talking about their training, make them a difficult breed for people who have not had previous contact with them or lack experience in dog training.
Kerry Blue Terrier Care
As mentioned above, the kerry blue terrier is a highly active and energetic dog that needs exercise every day to not become restless and anxious. You need to take several walks a day, but also do other activities of high or moderate intensity, such as running, swimming or playing a sport that allows you that movement you need.
Regarding the care of his coat, this requires brushing at least four times a week, otherwise Otherwise, tangles and knots are created that are practically impossible to undo. It is usually recommended to have a haircut every 2-3 months, although this is not essential and will depend, among other aspects, on the climate in which each specimen lives. On this, the environment also influences whether the animal can bring some parasite or dirt attached to the fur after its outings, so it is highly advisable to check its hair when you return home.
On the other hand, because it is very intelligent, within the care of the Kerry Blue Terrier there is adequate environmental enrichment, made up of intelligence games that allow it to remain well stimulated. Of course, we must not forget that this dog needs attention, so it is advisable to play with it, avoid leaving it alone for many hours at home and, above all, teach it how to manage that loneliness.
Kerry Blue Terrier Education
A kerry blue terrier usually has, as we have seen, a quite powerful character, which can make his education difficult at certain times. Undoubtedly, the most critical moments are those in which the animal, determined to do what it wants or not to do what is asked of it, sticks to its guns and does not give in to the demands of the trainer. For this reason, if you do not have experience in dog training, it is advisable to go to a professional trainer Of course, the dog's reaction to training sessions and Training will also be closely related to the methods used. If we use positive reinforcement, although at times it may happen that the Kerry Blue Terrier is not up to the task, it is most likely that he will respond correctly and be eager to learn.
Some of the aspects that are most often worked on with this breed are those related to territoriality, closely linked to possessiveness and aggressiveness, in addition to socialization. In this regard, in general, contact with different animals and people, as well as moving through different environments in early stages of its development, can facilitate training as the kerry blue terrier puppy grows.
Kerry Blue Terrier He alth
The Kerry Blue Terrier does not stand out as a delicate breed, far from it, however, if the crosses are carried out carelessly, really serious alterations can arise. In general, the guardians of a Kerry Blue Terrier highlight the strength of these dogs, which do not require more than basic care such as regular visits to the veterinarian, with their corresponding vaccinations and deworming.
However, if the crossings are not carried out properly, alterations such as the dangerous Von Willebrand disease may appear, which would be comparable to what we know as hemophilia in humans, or degenerative myelopathy or Wobbler syndrome, which affects the he alth of the animal's vertebrae. Both affect the functioning of the nervous system, being degenerative and of genetic origin, that is, they are inherited
Where to adopt a kerry blue terrier?
If you are looking for a Kerry Blue Terrier for adoption, it is recommended to always go to the kennels and animal associations that may have some specimen up for adoption. If none is found, it is always possible to widen the search ratio or wait for a specimen to enter.
But without a doubt, the most important thing is not where to find it, but to be completely sure that you can assume the commitment and responsibility that having a Kerry Blue Terrier or any other animal entails. Before adopting, it is essential to be fully aware of everything involved in welcoming another member into our home, who has their own needs and requirements.
