Terrier Kerry Blue

The Kerry Blue Terrier is probably an old terrier breed from Ireland used as a rat dog and versatile farm dog, where it probably received blood from herding dogs. The Kerry Blue Terrier essentially developed in County Kerry. The modest origins of the breed leave little written or iconographic traces before the twentieth century. The first reference attributed to a Kerry Blue dates from a 1847 writing where mention is made of a bluish dog, the color of slate, marked with darker spots and areas, and often with tan markings. A hypothesis for the development of the breed would be its selection from the Soft-Coated Irish Terrier, whose coat texture is similar. The Kerry Blue was first exhibited in Ireland in 1887. In 1913, the first Kerry Blue was presented at a dog show and the first breeding club was created in 1920. The breed quickly gained popularity among the Irish and three more clubs opened between 1922 and 1924. With 4 registrations in the French stud book (LOF) in 2012, the breed is very poorly represented in France. In the United Kingdom, with 169 to 274 registrations on the English Kennel Club registers each year, the breed is not very popular, even among the terrier group. Moreover, registrations are gradually declining over this recording period. In the United States in 2013, the Kerry Blue Terrier is the 127th most popular breed out of 177, according to the American Kennel Club.

The standard of the International Cynological Federation (FCI) describes the breed as having "terrier character from head to toe". It is a lively and alert dog, gentle with its family, courageous. The Kerry Blue Terrier is considered easy to train with good investment and good knowledge. It can show itself determined, difficult to motivate. It can show itself a hunter. However, good socialization is necessary, especially towards its conspecifics as it can quickly become reactive towards dogs.

The Kerry Blue Terrier is a large terrier dog, with a compact and graceful appearance. The well-proportioned body is muscular and well-developed. The back is well horizontal. The chest well descended and of moderate width has well-arched ribs. The tail is thin, carried erect and gaily. In movement, the members are parallel, the front members must present good extension and the thrust of the rear members is powerful. The topline remains horizontal and the head and tail are carried high in movement. The head carries abundant hair. It is stronger and more muscular in males than in females. The skull is strong, with a slight stop leading to a muzzle of medium length. The medium-sized eyes are dark in color or dark hazelnut in color. The small ears are carried forward or against the sides of the head. The coat is soft, abundant and wavy. The coat is entirely blue, with or without black tips.

A grooming dedicated to the Kerry Blue Terrier exists and requires significant equipment and time investment. It is necessary to have several types of sharp scissors, a clipper and several guards, metal combs, a brush and a nail clipper. The grooming aims to highlight the morphology of the Kerry Blue. The profile is made rectilinear from throat to feet and the curves between the neck and the line of the back, the chest, the underside of the tail, the croup and the tip of the hock are carved with scissors to highlight them. On the face, the cheeks and ears are clipped, the hair on the forehead cut to give a straight profile.