Kerry Blue Terrier

AKC Group: Terrier

Club: United States Kerry Blue Terrier Club, Inc.

Secretary : Charles Redmon
Address: 1624 Summerhill Dr, Lexington, KY , 40515-5846
Website: www.uskbtc.com
Email: alainnkbt@msn.com
Club Type: Specialty

General Apperance:

The typical Kerry Blue Terrier should be upstanding well knit and in good balance, showing a well-developed and muscular body with definite terrier style and character throughout. Correct coat and color are important.  A low-slung Kerry is not typical. 

Size:

The ideal Kerry should be 18½ inches at the withers for a dog, slightly less for a bitch. In judging Kerries, a height of 18-19½ inches for a dog, and 17½-19 inches for a bitch, should be given primary preference. Only where the comparative superiority of a specimen outside of the ranges noted clearly justifies it should greater latitude be taken. In no case should it extend to a dog over 20 inches or under 17½ inches, or to a bitch over 19½ inches or under 17 inches. The minimum limits do not apply to puppies. The most desirable weight for a fully developed dog is from 33-40 pounds, bitches weighing proportionately less. A well-developed and muscular body. Legs moderately long with plenty of bone and muscle.

Coat:

Correct coat is important it is to be soft, dense and wavy. A harsh, wire or bristle coat should be severely penalized. In show trim the body should be well covered but tidy, with the head (except for the whiskers) and the ears and cheeks clear.

History:

The Kerry Blue Terrier originated in Ireland, having been noticed first in the mountainous regions of County Kerry, hence the name. The dogs had been pure-bred in that section for over a hundred years.

Gentle, lovable, and intelligent, the Kerry is an all-round working and utility terrier, used in Ireland and England for hunting small game and birds, and for retrieving from land and water. He is used quite successfully, too, for herding sheep and cattle.

These dogs were always considered as working and sporting terriers, no thought being given to them as a bench-show dog. However, after the formation of the Republic, they began to appear on the bench and met with quick favor. The first few came out at the Dublin show The Kerry in Ireland is fostered by the Irish Blue Terrier Club of Dublin, organized by H. G. Fotterell.

English fanciers were quick to realize the Kerries' possibilities if properly groomed, and the Kennel Club there provided regular classification for them. Their rise to popularity was almost instant, and each show brought out increasing numbers of entries.

The Blue Terrier Club of England, organized by Captain Watts Williams, is the supporting organization back of the Blues for England. The English standard is with a few minor exceptions identical with the American standard in that coats must be trimmed.

There is more or less conjecture as to who imported the first Kerry and where it was first shown in this country. However, it appears that the first important show at which Kerries appeared was at Westminster in 1922. For two years following their initial exhibition at Madison Square Garden they were relegated to the Miscellaneous Class, but in 1924 they were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club as a breed and given championship rating.

During the Westminster show of 1926, a group of fanciers met at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City and organized the Kerry Blue Terrier Club of America. Their stated purpose was to encourage the breeding of the Kerry, assist its fanciers, adopt a standard, and foster both the utilitarian and sporting qualities of the dog (with aim toward field trials as well as dog shows).