Kerry Blue Terrier

History of the Kerry Blue Terrier breed

Kerry Blue Terrier is a dog with an impressive, but not very distinct history. Experts still cannot establish the true ancestors of the animals and are limited to unconfirmed guesses about the degree of kinship of Kerry blue Terriers with other breeds. For example, it is considered that the first bearded dogs were born from mating irish wolfhounds with black and tan English terriers, which were later replaced by Bedlingtons and wheat terriers. At the same time, the Irish, greedy for legends and sensations, continue to believe that the progenitor of the breed was a Portuguese blue-colored water dog that escaped from a sinking Spanish ship and was picked up by farmers of the Emerald Isle.

In the XIX century, the possession of a Kerry blue Terrier was a must for Irish peasants. However, practical villagers did not want to keep animals "for beautiful eyes", so any feasible work was imposed on four–legged pets - catching water rats, grazing sheep flocks, protecting the owner's property. Kerry Blue Terriers began to master breed exhibitions at the very end of the XIX century. Along the way, the dogs were involved in passing field tests, in which they achieved good results. As a result, it came to the point that a dog that did not show its success in capturing and feeding the beast at the exhibition could not claim the championship title. But enterprising breeders also got their bearings here, starting to deliberately cultivate malice in their wards, for which Kerry received the nickname "blue devils".

In the 20s of the XX century, Kerry blue Terriers were standardized, and their owners began to unite into clubs. In 1922, the "Irish" were registered in England, two years later the same procedure was done by the American Kennel Club. In the USSR, the breed penetrated in the 60s. Mostly they were individuals from Germany, who periodically flashed at All-Union exhibitions and even brought offspring. As for the formation and pumping of the Russian Kerry lines, it is customary to call the Soviet breeding specialist A. I. Kozlovsky a pioneer. On his initiative, the first collective kennel of the Irish Hippie breed in the USSR was created, from which several generations of healthy, spectacular externally and mentally stable champions emerged.

Video: Kerry Blue Terrier

Kerry Blue Terrier Breed Standard

Historically, Kerry blue Terriers were typical farm dogs that were kept not for the purity of blood, but for help in household chores. Therefore, despite a century of exhibition breeding, the appearance of the breed still slips peasant thoroughness, and sometimes outright roughness of addition. The abundant wavy wool helps to hide anatomical imperfections, thanks to which the kerry looks dapper, elegant and extraordinary.

Sexual dimorphism for smoky "Irish" is also a typical phenomenon – usually males have more powerful muscles and massive heads. The growth lag in bitches is small: if the reference "boy" must be at least 45.5-49.5 cm at the withers, then for "girls" the ideal indicators are 44.5-48 cm. At exhibitions, strict requirements are imposed on the shape of the head and the structure of the coat of Kerry-blue terriers. The highest score is assigned for them. By the way, if you do not look at the animal closely, it may seem that its fur is curly. In fact, the excessive "poodle" of the dog is a serious drawback. A true kerry has wavy and soft hair, but by no means curly.

Head

The skull is quite large, balanced, with a light foot. The muzzle is of medium size.

Teeth and jaws

The correct representative of the breed is distinguished by large strong teeth and a scissor bite. A straight bow of the dentition is also allowed. The dog's jaws are strong and grasping. The mouth, as well as the upper and lower gums should be black.

Nose

The harmoniously developed lobe is colored in a coal-black tone and has large, wide-open nostrils.

Eyes

Eyes of medium size, normal shallow fit, with a dark walnut or just a dark iris. The look of the Kerry Blue Terrier is piercingly intelligent.

Ears

Neat thin ears are held on the sides of the head, forming a fold in its middle part and falling forward. In order for the ear cloth to take the correct position, Kerry Blue Terrier puppies are glued to it. Ears begin to be glued from the age of three months and end when the animal turns seven months old. In some individuals, the process of formation of cartilage tissue may be delayed. This is also normal, but it takes longer to glue such "stubborn" ears.

Neck

The necks of Kerry Blue Terriers are not too elongated, but also not short, with strong bases.

Housing

Thoroughbred Kerry Blue Terrier is a statuesque pet, with prominent musculature and strong bones. A perfectly horizontal, normal-length back is "reinforced" by a strong loin. The animal's chest is characterized by a normal width and pronounced depth with rounded ribs.

Limbs

The front legs of the dog in the rack are characterized by a straight position, as well as a harmonious thoroughness of the backbone and musculature. The shoulder blades are oblique, with clear outlines and a good fit to the sides. The hind limbs are distinguished by the posterior under the body, large hips and hardy hock joints. Kerry Blue Terriers have small paws, but with very developed dense pads. The animal moves easily, carrying its front legs wide and making a powerful push with its hind limbs. At the same time, the head and tail of the running kerry are carried as high as possible, and the back remains straight.

Tail

Representatives of the breed have a very thin, straightened, well-planted tail.

Wool

The hair is lush, moderately soft and wavy. The coat on the head and muzzle is especially developed.

Color

The coat of adult Kerry Blue Terriers is painted in all shades of blue, and may also have black markings on the body. At the same time, all individuals are born black, gradually "brightening" by 1-1.5 years.

Disqualifying vices

Animals cannot be exhibited in exhibition rings if they have pronounced defects of the exterior:

• overbite or underbite;
• meat-colored gums;
• yellow or lightened iris tone;
• convex or saddle-shaped back;
• excessively narrow breasts;
• elbows separated from the body;
• the thumbs on the hind legs, even if they were once removed;
• cow-like or stilted gait, not peculiar to the breed;
• any color of wool, except as specified by the standard;
• a stiff, bristly dogskin.

Individuals with unstable mentality, demonstrating aggression or behaving cowardly, do not pass the exhibition selection and are disqualified. In addition, fines are imposed on dogs that have to be helped to do the right stance (lift the tail and head) during the exposure.

The nature of the Kerry Blue Terrier

Describing the nature of Kerry blue Terriers, it is customary to quote E. S. Montgomery, who claimed that the breed is distinguished from the inhabitants of Ireland only by the fact that its representatives do not smoke pipes. In all other parameters, the "sparkling" temperament of animals completely copies the mentality of the inhabitants of the Emerald Isle. Playful, starting from a half-turn, adoring wild fun and the same fights, Kerry blue Terriers belong to the type of pets with whom the whole life is spent waiting for a surprise.

A real Kerry blue Terrier is, first of all, a human-oriented creature. A puppy brought into the house quickly joins the family and learns to get along with each of its members, without appointing one person as a proxy. Children are pleasant companions and playmates for the animal. By the way, unlike dogs of large breeds, Kerry do not see children and adolescents as a lower caste, whose representatives should be treated leniently, but whose demands should not be reacted to. Moreover, the natives of green Erin will willingly go with your heirs to the training ground and listen to the commands given by the young owners.

But Kerry-blue Terriers have mutual understanding with their fellow tribesmen "for a C". Maybe because, having seen another dog, the "Irishman" will not miss the opportunity to show off and demonstrate his own invincibility. Actually, 90% of conflicts with four-legged brothers begin with such provocations: Kerry teases, the enemy makes a warning "R-r-r!" – and a senseless fight breaks out. There is an opinion that Kerry blue Terriers are desperate cat-haters, but clarification is required here: dogs only chase unfamiliar cats. A purrer who shares a living space with a dog from an early age has the right to count on leniency.

As for the watchdog abilities of the breed, it is quite possible to rely on them. True Kerry blue Terriers do not suffer from empty-mindedness and if they bark, it's really about. Of course, we are not talking about ill-mannered pets using the voice of boredom for the sake of. Some carries are able to let a stranger into the house, but certainly not let him out of it. Usually the dog blocks the exits from the room and carefully studies the behavior of the stranger. The reaction to any threatening gesture (a wave of the hand, an attempt to push the tailed watchman away with a kick of the foot) should be harsh and immediate. By the way, the bites of the breed are painful and deep.

The Kerry blue Terrier is incredibly bouncy and painfully curious, so there are no forbidden places in the apartment for him, there are simply unexplored ones. At the same time, he is careful in everyday life and even despite the habit of gnawing something hard at his leisure, he does not suffer from destructive behavior and does not have fun howling. In the absence of the owner, the pet is able to find a peaceful occupation or take a sweet nap on the carpet until one of the family members appears in the house. And the Kerry Blue Terrier is a born humorist, easily transforming into a clown with a wild imagination and an inexhaustible supply of practical jokes. Be mentally prepared for funny tricks, strange tricks with surrounding objects and a funny pantomime with the participation of a four-legged pet.

Education and training

Each kerry blue Terrier is a bright personality, so even a dog handler with experience will not be able to predict how easy it will be to train a particular puppy. However, almost all trainers note the breed's innate stubbornness when it comes to being forced to practice. The reason for his stubbornness lies in the fact that it is difficult for Kerry to concentrate on things that seem obviously boring to him. In addition, this comrade constantly switches to external stimuli like a mouse that has slipped by or a fellow tribesman looming on the horizon. So you need to work out teams and sports skills with the breed quickly (a 10-minute exercise is the limit), persistently, but without excessive authoritarianism.

The boundaries of socialization and acquaintance of the pet with the surrounding reality on a walk should be adjusted by a leash (not a harness). Don't forget, the "Irish" like to provoke conflict situations with other dogs. Kerry Blue Terriers are brought up based on standard methods. First, the puppy is taught to a single daily routine, the ability to respond to his own nickname and elements of etiquette. Attempts to attack a person, biting, growling, and in general any demonstration of superiority should be stopped. Kerry are typical dominants who only need to give in once so that they have time to sit on the owner's head.

The first commands in the life of every Kerry Blue Terrier are "Place!", "You can't!" and "To me!". The easiest way to teach a puppy to go to his corner is to take him there after eating and, holding the animal with his hands on the couch, softly but convincingly pronounce the command ("Place!"). You can read about how to properly work out the call and other basic orders in the books on training "Don't growl at the dog" by K. Pryor, "An ideal dog does not walk the owner" by M. Rutter, "A dog without problems", as well as "Obedience of a dog" by V. Gritsenko. Remember that at the beginning of training, calling an animal for punishment or to take it away from a walk is a gross mistake. The Kerry Blue Terrier is not such a simpleton to obey a command that restricts him in entertainment.

Punishments in a pet's life should take place when he is caught red-handed. There should be no "repression" in hindsight and beating. They also do not punish for misunderstanding requirements, fear of something, as well as for too slow execution of commands. It is not recommended to catch a Kerry blue Terrier to forbid him to do what you don't like, as well as to slap the dog with a leash. In the first case, the animal will perceive "catch-up" as a fun game, not forgetting to write off a hundred points from your authority. And in the second, he will quickly realize that there is a danger to the sides in the strap, and in the future he will not allow himself to be fastened.

Maintenance and care

Modern Kerry-blue Terriers are domestic inhabitants in every sense. They are not demanding of space and are content with a modest couch somewhere in a corner, provided that the sun penetrates there and a draft does not blow out. Both as a puppy and at quite a respectable age, the "Irish" like to sharpen their teeth on objects. To do this, buy special toys for your pet and update them periodically – rubber balls and squeakers cannot resist the sharpness of dog teeth for a long time. Periodically, toys can be replaced with raw vegetables – carrots, cabbage leaves and other "utilities".

It is important to monitor the legs and posture of the puppy. In the first 6 months of life, Kerry Blue Terriers are not allowed to go up and down the stairs on their own. It is also impossible to play "tug–of-war" with a dog - it is easy to distort the bite of an animal during such entertainment, but it is almost impossible to fix it. It is necessary to walk adults twice a day, spending at least two or three hours on promenades and sports exercises. Puppies are taken out to breathe and satisfy toilet needs up to 5 times a day. When the pet reaches the age of 6 months, the number of excursions is reduced to three.

Wool shearing and hygiene

The wool of the Kerry blue Terrier is not harmed by frequent bathing, so in the warm season you can swim with your dog in open reservoirs at least every day. As for a full-fledged washing with shampoos and conditioning compounds, it is permissible to arrange it once a week or two. It is advisable to comb kerry more often. Breeders recommend going through the hair of puppies with a comb every day to speed up the process of changing the junior hair. Adults are recommended to massage with a metal comb at least twice a week.

To maintain the glamorous appearance of the dog's "fur coat", the hair should be cut regularly – trimming is contraindicated for the breed. The haircut process is carried out in the following sequence:

• comb the wool, sorting out the tangles, if any;
• wash the dog using shampoo for dry hair;
• allow the pet to dry naturally – the hair dryer is not used at all, or is used, but the hair is not combed during the drying process;
• comb completely dried wool against growth.

Ideally, the Kerry blue Terrier should take an exhibition stand, which will facilitate the haircut, but in practice you can do without it. The main thing is to teach the dog to react calmly to the procedure. The first haircut for puppies is done at the age of 3 months, and then as the hair grows back.

Important: Kerry Blue Terriers are not sheared on the eve of the exhibition. It is necessary to carry out the procedure at least 3 weeks before entering the ring, so that the wool has time to grow and the transitions align.

They start cutting the dog's hair from the head. First, the outer and inner parts of the ears are cut with a machine, and their edges are carefully processed with scissors. A thick fringe is formed over the eyes. The hair of the parietal zone is shortened either with a typewriter or scissors, leaving a neat wave of dog hair no longer than 1 cm on the forehead. The areas of the temples, throat and the areas on the sides of the eyes are cut very short.

The hair on the back is removed with scissors, lifting it against the growth with a metal comb. The optimal length of the coat on this part of the body is from 2 to 5 cm . The same length is preferred on the sides and chest. The neck is also treated with scissors in the direction from the back of the head to the withers. At the same time, it is important to make the transition as smooth as possible, because as the neck approaches the forearms, the length of the hair should increase.

The outer part of the tail continues the line of the back and is cut according to the same principle. But on the inner part of it, the psovine must be extremely shortened. Special attention is paid to the area under the tail. The fur around the anus should be very short. Otherwise, the waste products will stick to the overgrown curls.

Show-individuals do not cut the hair on their legs and lower chest, only carefully combed first down, then against growth. Although pets, especially young ones, a haircut of the limbs will not hurt. Special care is required for the beard and mustache, which Kerry Blue Terriers have very lush. The hair in the corners of the mouth is usually removed, and the excessively thick hair on the muzzle is milled with scissors. The hairs between the fingers and on the lower part of the paws are removed, forming a rounded contour. On the outer part of the fingers, the wool is not removed.

Gross grooming mistakes:

• cutting the fur under the eyes of the kerry blue Terrier;
• groin trimming;
• leaving long hair on the head, sides, muzzle and belly.

Increased attention is necessary for the organs of vision of the pet. As with most breeds with "woolly" muzzles, Kerry's eyes are slightly leaking, which is especially evident in puppyhood, as well as in individuals with overgrown, unkempt bangs. Every day, the folds of the eyelids and the eyeballs of the dog must be wiped with a cloth soaked in warm water. It is also acceptable to use drops from excessive lacrimation, for example, "Diamond eyes".

Once a week, you need to check the ears of the Kerry blue Terrier and remove excess sulfur from them, if there are any. The procedure will require a clean cloth (no cotton swabs) and any hygienic lotion for dogs' ears. In addition, get ready to systematically pull out the abundantly overgrown wool from the ear funnel, which reduces hearing acuity and provokes inflammation. This will have to be done manually, in several steps.

Hygiene of kerry's beard and mustache is a mandatory item in the care of the breed. At home, it is better to tighten the chin hair with an elastic band. So it will be more convenient to wipe it after each feeding. Once every two weeks, the dog is supposed to have a "pedicure". After cutting the claws, it is also useful to polish the plate with a nail file.

The teeth of the Kerry Blue Terrier must be cleaned with a brush and veterinary toothpaste. But if the animal is not accustomed to such a procedure, the problem will have to be solved in alternative ways. For example, by adding tomato juice to a pet's food or chewing treats from a pet store.

Feeding

It is better to feed the kerry blue Terrier according to the regime, organizing food so that the dog is in a tight condition, but not fat. From natural products, the following are optimally suitable for the breed:

• raw lean meat – beef, horse meat, goat meat, lamb;
• raw or oiled fish without bones – hake, navaga, cod, but not more than 2 times a week;
• low-fat kefir, cottage cheese, occasionally cheese;
• once a week chicken egg – boiled white and raw yolk;
• vegetables and fruits, except legumes;
• cereal porridge – buckwheat, rice;
• young greens – nettle, dandelion leaves, lettuce, parsley;
• vitamin supplements and treats – sea cabbage, sauerkraut, dried fruits.

It is forbidden to treat a puppy with tubular and bird bones, but sometimes you can allow a little pampering in the form of lamb ribs. The meat for Kerry Blue Terriers is always chopped into pieces, but never turned into minced meat. They give meat cuts for breakfast and dinner.

In addition, it is important to remember that up to a year Kerry blue Terriers require mineral fertilizing and ready-made vitamin complexes. They do not buy dietary supplements only for individuals who eat dry food from the first months of life (of course, high-quality). The frequency of feeding the Kerry Blue Terrier: up to 4 months – four times a day, from 4 months to six months – three times a day, from 6 months onwards – two meals a day.

Health and diseases of Kerry Blue Terriers

The average life expectancy of the breed is 13 years. However, with good care, many individuals are able to overcome this age limit. There are also cases when the "Irish" ended their life at the age of 18. Kerry are less susceptible to hereditary diseases than most pedigreed tribesmen. For example, joint dysplasia, which affects many large and medium-sized dogs, occurs in a very small number of Kerry blue Terriers. But the "Irish" periodically have subluxation of the joints, which can be caused both by the consequences of injury and genetically.

Hypothyroidism, as well as Willebrand and Addison's diseases, are also found among the natives of the Emerald Isle, but not as often as one might expect. The real problem for the breed is progressive nervous abiotrophy. The disease is not treated, it is inherited, but it is not yet possible to determine its carrier. The disease manifests itself in 2-6-month-old puppies, and by the year the animals are completely immobilized.

Reveal kerry blue Terriers and dry keratoconjunctivitis, as well as the tendency of the integument to form epidermal cysts. In the first case, the disease can become chronic, and in the second, growths on the skin are often infected. Not exactly a disease, but quite an unpleasant thing – calluses on the pads and between the toes of the paws. They are formed more often in the "Irish" than in other dogs, provoking lameness.

Of the ocular pathologies, Kerry blue Terriers "got" entropion and juvenile cataract. Inflammation of the middle ear is another common breed disease. Most often, individuals suffer from it, whose owners are too lazy to systematically clean their pets' ears and pluck out their overgrown fur.

How to choose a puppy

Do not forget that all representatives of the breed are born with a black coat color. If you are afraid of deception on the part of the seller, get ready to buy one–and-a-half-year-old individuals - by this age, Kerry blue Terriers acquire a traditional blue suit.

• Choose country kennels where dogs lead a relatively free lifestyle, and are not locked in four walls by ruthless divorced sellers.
• Specify what kind of food the breeder gives to his wards. If this is a cheap "drying", do not expect to buy a healthy animal from such an "economical" specialist.
• Evaluate the overall grooming of the litter. Aren't the puppies thin, how clean their fur and areas under the tail are, whether there are fleas on the body.
• Even if the Kerry Blue Terrier is not bought for exhibitions, check out the pedigree of his parents. This will allow you to better know the potential of the future pet.
• It is not always possible to diagnose predisposition to hereditary diseases in advance. But if the breeder reports that his producers have been tested at least for genetic dysplasia of the joints, this is a big plus.

Price of Kerry Blue Terrier

A Kerry Blue Terrier club puppy in Russia costs about $300. A native of European nurseries (England, Scotland) will cost 1200-1500 euros, depending on the exterior qualities and health status.