Terrier group · Ireland
Kerry Blue Terrier
Also called Irish Blue Terrier, Kerry.
Medium dog, high energy, trains well with consistency.
- Alert
- Spirited
- People-Oriented
- Versatile
- Strong-Willed
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 15 to 18 kg33 to 40 lb
- Lives
- 12 to 15 years
- Energy
- High
- Trains
- Moderate
- Barks
- Moderate
Training
Training a Kerry Blue Terrier
Terrier breeds. Impulse control and a rock-solid leave it. Short, high-value sessions; they bore fast.
Consistent and Fair
Start here
Kerry Blues need calm, consistent handling. They will test the rules, so keep them the same every day and reward the right choices.
Dog Aggression Management
Can be aggressive with other dogs, especially same-sex. Early socialisation and management are essential.
Channel Their Energy
Highly versatile, excel at many activities. Give them jobs to prevent problem behaviours.
The app turns this into five to fifteen minutes a day.
Add your Kerry Blue Terrier and it builds the plan around their age, where they came from and what they already know, on video with Atlas and Shango.
Free to start. iPhone. No card needed.
At home
Living with one
Bred to go to ground after vermin. Fearless, quick, and not built to back down.
Gets on with
- ChildrenHigh
- Other dogsLow
- StrangersModerate
- CatsLow
Breed averages. Early socialisation and the individual dog matter more.
- Exercise
- 1-2 hours daily. Vigorous exercise including running, playing, and interactive activities.
- Grooming
- High maintenance. Professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. Daily brushing to prevent matting.
- Drool
- Low
- Coat
- Soft, Wavy, DenseBlue, Slate Blue, Light Blue Grey
- In a flat
- Needs more space than a flat gives.
Health
Things to ask a breeder or vet about
Hip Dysplasia
Moderate
Joint malformation causing pain and mobility issues
Dry Eye
Moderate
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, insufficient tear production
Skin Cysts
Mild
Prone to developing various skin cysts and bumps
Where they come from
History
Originated in County Kerry, Ireland, where they were all-purpose farm dogs used for herding, guarding, and hunting. The national terrier of Ireland. Puppies are born black and develop their blue coat colour over their first 18 months.
- Charlie · The first Kerry Blue to win Best in Show at Westminster in 1922
