The Kerry Blue Terrier is a middle-sized Irish terrier who is very friendly to people and full of joy and energy. Kerry has a soft bluish coloured coat that doesn't shed. Kerry suits well to people who like to have an active dog who is there where something is happening and who is always ready to get up and go. Kerry's origin is in Ireland and the breed has got its name from the county Kerry. Kerries were used as well as retrievers and ratters, as farm and herd dogs. They also guarded the farm, looked after the children and even took apart into the dog fights. Nowadays Kerries are sophisticated lovable companions but sometimes you may find out that your Kerry still hasn't lost his early talents as rugged working terrier and that he just can't resist the holes on the field!
Although Kerries are very lovable and friendly to people they don't necessarily like other dogs. Specially adult males may not be friendly with each other. Though they are all individuals and there are many Kerries who are very social and are able to play with other dogs. And with training (mainly as a youngster) you might be able to affect this feature but you have to remember that Kerry isn't the most social breed.
Kerries fit as well in cities as on farms. Even if they are very attached to their family they don't have any problems being alone at home. Kerries don't usually run away and they love walks with their owner without lead. Kerry is very easy to train because of his great desire to please you and usually he enjoys training such as agility.
Often children like Kerries and visa versa but you have to remember that Kerry is not a dog for a child. Since Kerry is a lively and strong dog it is too much for a child to control. Also the grooming of a Kerry is too much for child's responsibility. But if the parents are ready to take the responsibility of training and grooming of the dog, Kerry is a very good companion to a child, too.
It is not difficult to keep the beautiful coat of a Kerry neat but it does need some attention. Since Kerry does not shed and the hair just keeps on growing, he needs trimming regularly. Nor does his single coat have a doggy odor but he needs a regular bath to keep his coat clean. It is quite simple to learn to do a pet trim on your Kerry but a show trim needs more training. The trimming is done by scissors and an electric clipper. To keep a pet Kerry neat he needs to be bathed and trimmed every 4 to 6 weeks. This way your Kerry looks like a Kerry and then it is not necessary to groom him in between the trims. As a puppy Kerry should be brushed couple times a week to get him used to being handled but also because his hair gets matted more easily.
Even if a Kerry does not shed the breed - as well as any other breed either - cannot be recommended to allergic people. The dog allergy is caused by the epithel coming out of the skin, not the hair. There are many allergic families having a Kerry from me, but there are also Kerries who had to be replaced to a new home due to an allergy. If an allergic person wants to acquire a Kerry, he should visit homes with Kerries to see if he gets symptoms or not. If an allergic family - after a thorough thinking - decides to buy a Kerry he should be bathed and trimmed often and he should sleep in separate room and so on.
As a breed Kerry Blue Terrier is considered very healthy. In Finland there are found Hip Dysplasia (HD) and Progressive Neuronal Abiotrophy (PNA) as hereditary diseases in Kerries. In my breeding work I consider health issues very carefully and all the parents of Slievemish litters are X-rayed and my own breeding stock is also eye certified. And if possible I try to use breeding stock that has no known carriers of PNA in their pedigree. Kerries may often get also firm growths, cysts, occuring below the skin. These epidermal cysts are more common among older Kerries.
Kerries live to be around 12 to 13 years of age. Most Kerries remain active and playful almost their entire lifetime. Usually Kerry owners are attracted to the breed very much and it is said that if you once acquire a Kerry you will always have a Kerry - which seems to be very much true!