Kerry Blue Terrier

The Kerry Blue Terrier is an active hunting breed and should be kept by those who are experienced with dogs. As with all terriers, the Kerry Blue Terrier demands attention, training, and leadership.

Even though the breed is very eager to learn, training is not always easy. Here, the stubbornness and strong will of the dogs come through!

• Attending a dog school is highly recommended for both dog and owner: don’t hesitate to seek help with this challenging canine.
• As the owner of a Kerry Blue Terrier, you need to learn to assert yourself consistently yet kindly. To train this playfully, consider engaging in joint obedience training.
• If hunting behaviour becomes a problem in daily life, for example, because the dog tends to run off, you might want to try a specialised anti-hunting training.

The Hunting Dog Needs to Move

The Kerry Blue Terrier is a very agile dog that demands plenty of exercise, freedom, and fun. Its energy level is quite high and it needs regular mental stimulation to stay balanced.

Twice daily, a lengthy walk accompanied by varied play sessions helps ensure the terrier remains content and at ease.

Due to its innate prey drive, caution is always advised. If a Kerry Blue Terrier picks up a scent, deterring it from pursuit might be difficult. On the flip side, it can thoroughly enjoy dog sports such as dummy training.

Is the Kerry Blue Terrier Affectionate?

The Kerry Blue Terrier likes to work, but after that, its affectionate side emerges! It can be well-suited to apartment living, where it’s integrated into family life and doesn’t need constant attention. The Blue enjoys seeking out its favourite humans for a cuddle or to take a nap in their presence. It doesn’t fare well living in a kennel or garden shed: it needs its people close by.

The Kerry Blue Terrier isn’t fussy about food. It eats with gusto, accepting both wet food and dry food. Also, ensure your dog has continuous access to a bowl of fresh water.

However, you should always ensure that the amount of food corresponds with the dog’s exercise levels, age, and condition. No matter how much you feed – always do so before rest periods and never before a walk or playtime.

Divide the food into two daily portions to avoid burdening the stomach with too much food at once.

Raw Feeding (Barfen)

With raw feeding, the dog is fed fresh, homemade meat. This provides a very natural and healthy diet, avoiding unnecessary additives found in some commercial foods. Yet, this also represents a significant additional effort for the owner, both in terms of time and finance, and should therefore be carefully considered.

The coat care for the Kerry Blue Terrier is somewhat more complex than with other breeds. Since the fur often falls into their eyes causing irritation, you should trim it regularly in this area.

Many owners opt to clip the entire dog to simplify maintenance. If you like the long coat, brush the dog thoroughly with a suitable coat brush, especially after walks.

During regular excursions outdoors, it’s also advisable to maintain good tick protection since ticks can easily cling to the Kerry Blue Terrier’s curly fur.

Any Common Diseases with the Kerry Blue Terrier?

The Kerry Blue Terrier is known for having very few health problems. It’s considered robust and only tends to develop skin and joint issues in its older years. In such cases, long-term overfeeding and obesity play a key role.

Specifically with dogs that come into contact with wild animals, you should become immediately alert to unusual behaviour and consult the vet. Serious infectious diseases or parasitic infestations may be present.

How Long Does the Kerry Blue Terrier Live?

On average, breed representatives live 13 to 15 years.

The breed holds a long history, so ancient that the details have been swept away over time. What is certain is that the Kerry Blue Terrier has been used on Irish farms for generations for various hunting, herding, and protection tasks.

The first written mention dates back to the 18th century, describing it as a hunting dog. Since 1922, the Kerry Blue Terrier has been recognised by the FCI with regulated breeding, still emphasising its suitability as a hunting dog for badgers and otters.

Ireland’s Pride The Kerry Blue Terrier is one of Ireland’s national dogs.