What to Know About Kerry Blue Terriers

Medically Reviewed by Vanesa Farmer, DVM on May 22, 2022
Written by Susan Adcox
6 min read

There are two sides to Kerry Blue Terriers. There's the side you see in dog shows, a perfectly groomed dog in a jaunty stance. If you're not won over by the striking blue-gray coat, you'll be charmed by the snazzy beard. Kerry Blues can also be working dogs, bred for farm duties and ready to chase and kill pests. This Kerry is undoubtedly a terrier, with a terrier's energy and spirit. These versatile animals are much beloved in their native Ireland, where they're known as Irish Blue Terriers.

Kerry Blue Terriers have a beautiful profile, with bodies that are strong and nicely proportioned. They have legs of moderate length and muscular bodies. The head and neck are long but sturdy. The American Kennel Club (AKC) states that the acceptable Kerry Blue Terrier size is from 17 to 20 inches at the withers. Males should weigh from 33 to 40 pounds. Females can weigh less.

The Kerry Blue Terrier's coat is its most remarkable feature. It's dense and wavy but surprisingly soft. The color is some combination of blue and gray, often with dark shading around the head and feet. Kerries are born black and may progress through several shades before arriving at their mature color, which should happen by the age of 18 months.

The ears of the Kerry Blue Terrier receive special attention from breeders and owners. The ears are triangular. In their natural state, they turn toward the side of the head. In this condition, they are sometimes called "flying" ears. The preferred look for the ears is facing forward and folded down toward the skull. Breeders set the ears by pasting them in place.

Pasting begins when a puppy is about 10 to 12 weeks old. This process happens once a month for about seven months. By then, the cartilage in the puppy's ear should have hardened, and the ears are permanently set. 

High-spirited and strong-willed, the Kerry Blue Terrier is not a good match for every home. Owners must be willing to spend time training and socializing their pets. Kerries are also an athletic breed and require exercise. With proper care, Kerries make affectionate, fun-loving pets. 

The Kerry Blue Terrier is a vulnerable native breed, according to the U.K. Kennel Club. This designation is for dogs of British or Irish origin that are declining in number, with fewer than 300 new dogs registered each year. In 2020, owners in the U.K. and Ireland registered 161 Kerry Blue Terriers. 

The Kerry Blue Terrier's lifespan is typically from 12 to 15 years. 

Kerry Blue Terriers are not low-maintenance dogs. Their distinctive coats don't shed, but they do require regular grooming. This can be costly in both time and money. Kerries need a full grooming about every six to eight weeks. You should use scissors on the body hair, while clippers are best for the head, neck, and abdomen. You can learn to groom your Kerry, or you can take your pet to a professional. You should also brush your Kerry thoroughly at least once a week.   

Their background as active farm dogs means that Kerry Blue Terriers need to move. A home with a large yard or garden is perfect. Kerries are people dogs, though, and exercising with your dog is ideal. Kerries will be happy to go on walks or jogs. They will also like playing fetch or Frisbee. You and your Kerry could also take up a canine sport like obedience trials or herding competitions.  

As active dogs, Kerries require good nutrition, but you don't want an overweight pet. Once your dog is past the age of 1 year, you may be able to cut feedings to one a day. But some dogs do better eating twice a day. You can talk to your vet about the best feeding schedule for your dog. You can tell whether your pet is a proper weight by feeling their ribs. The ribs shouldn't stick out, but you should be able to feel the bones. 

Your Kerry needs routine care like tooth brushing, ear cleaning, and toenail clipping. Your dog should also see a veterinarian at least once a year, more often if your dog is a puppy or a senior. Your veterinarian can advise you about flea and tick control, heartworm prevention, and other routine care. 

Kerry Blue Terriers are a healthy breed, but all dogs can have health problems. The United States Kerry Blue Terrier Club monitors the health of the breed. The club recommends that all Kerries be checked for hip dysplasia and also see an ophthalmologist. Hip problems are common in larger breeds, and many breeds are prone to eye problems.

Surveys show that owners and breeders are concerned about these Kerry Blue Terrier health issues. 

  • Skin problems. Kerry Blue Terriers can have cysts, warts, and skin tumors. They may also have spots of dermatitis, commonly known as hot spots. Kerries also get spiculosis, in which some hairs become very thick and spiky. 
  • Progressive neuronal abiotrophy (PNA). This rare but fatal disease strikes Kerry puppies, usually before they are 16 weeks old. A recessive genetic mutation causes the condition. An early champion who had many offspring could have passed the disorder on to his descendants. Genetic research likely holds the key to eliminating or controlling PNA.
  • Cancer. Although relatively rare, cancer is a cause of death in many breeds. There's no evidence that Kerries are more prone to cancer than other breeds.  

The Kerry Blue Terrier temperament means that they won't suit every household. Here are some points to consider.  

  • Protective nature. Kerries make good watchdogs. This means that they may sometimes react to threats that aren't really threats. They also aren't quiet dogs since they react to threats by barking.
  • Good for families. Kerries are affectionate and good with children. Of course, children should know to be gentle and respectful with pets. 
  • Trainability. Kerries are intelligent and easy to train. They will learn best when training sessions are short and mixed with play. They also respond best to positive reinforcement.
  • Hypoallergenic. The Kerry Blue Terrier coat sheds very little, so the breed is a good choice for people with allergies. 
  • Mixing with other dogs. Kerries love their humans but aren't always friendly to other dogs. Like many terriers, they can be feisty and aggressive toward other dogs. Dog parks may not be good environments for your Kerry. 

Legends abound about the history of the Kerry Blue Terrier. Most of them involve a mysterious dog surviving a shipwreck and washing up on the shore of County Kerry in Ireland. There, the survivor mated with the local dogs and brought new vigor to the local canines. It's a great story, but there's little evidence that it's true.

Another story holds that the breed sprang from clandestine matings between the Irish wolfhounds favored by the nobles and the peasants' farm dogs. Genetic evidence doesn't back up this version, though. Instead, genetic research shows that Kerries probably descended from other Irish terriers, like the Bedlington and the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier. 

Irish Blue Terriers were mentioned in writing around 1808. Irish farmers soon warmed to the breed. The characteristics of the Kerry Blue Terrier made them perfect for:

  • Ratting
  • Killing other farm pests
  • Herding
  • Hunting
  • Guard duty

Other memorable dates in Kerry Blue Terrier history include:

  • 1920. Kerry fanciers in Ireland organized the first Kerry Blue Terrier dog show. One exhibitor was Irish nationalist Michael Collins, who risked arrest to show his dog, named Convict 224.
  • 1922. Dog lovers formed the Irish Kennel Club and chose the Kerry Blue Terrier as its first recognized breed. The Kennel Club of Britain recognized the breed the same year.
  • 1924. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed.
  • 2003. Ch. Torums Scarf Michael, a Kerry better known as Mick, won Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show. Mick was one of the great show dogs of his time.

When the scrappy farm dogs entered show business, they got a makeover. Breeders developed a style of grooming that highlighted their admirable physique. But Kerry lovers say that the manicured show dogs still have the heart of a herding dog.