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"Small Dog Breed Catalog"
Small Dog Breed Catalog: Page 25
of 56
Kerry Blue Terrier Dog Breed
The Kerry Blue Terrier, also known as the Irish Blue Terrier has a
strong, sturdy body and a short and curly coat. He is an active,
athletic terrier that is affectionate with his owners, marvelous with
children, a great watchdog, and a tough competitor in the show ring.
His Irish descent has made him a rugged workman who is capable of a
day's ground chores. The Kerry Blue is stubborn and needs a
consistent and firm training method. The 'Stay' and 'Come' commands
are usually the most difficult to teach. In addition, early
socialization is important. This breed has a tendency to be
aggressive toward other dogs as well as small animals and suspicious
of strangers. It may be difficult to keep small pets such as cats or
rabbits in a home with this breed. He needs to be well trained and be
able to learn to respect his owner's leadership. This breed needs an
owner who is confident, firm, patient, and persistent. The Kerry
Blue Terrier may be restless and noisy if left alone for too long.
Overall, he makes an ideal house pet and lives an average of 15 years.
Size: The Kerry Blue Terrier stands 17 to 20in at the shoulder and
weighs between 35 and 40lb.
History and origin: The Kerry Blue originates from the county of
Kerry in south-western Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries. He was
believed to be a cross between the Irish Terrier and Bedlington
Terrier, and some think that the Bull Terrier may have also
contributed to the breed's make-up. He was considered as an
all-around utility dog. He started his life as a hunter of foxes and
badgers. Being a keen and strong swimmer, he has also been used for
otter hunting. This breed has also guarded livestock and saw Army
service during World War II. Nowadays, he is mostly kept as one of
the most popular pet and show dog.
Feeding: Recommended feeding for the Kerry Blue Terrier is 1 ' 1 '
cans (13.3oz size) of high-quality meat product with biscuit added in
same amount or 3 cupfuls of complete dry food.
Exercise: He is a working dog that needs and deserves plenty of
exercise. The ideal place for this breed is a house with a fenced-in
yard. However, he can easily adapt to an apartment living as long as
he gets enough exercise. With proper training, the Kerry Blue
Terrier is an excellent breed to jog with.
Grooming: The Kerry Blue Terrier has a short, curly coat that sheds
very little and needs to be brushed daily with a stiff brush and metal
comb. In addition, the coat needs to be clipped every 2 to 3 months.
Copyright 2006 by Jay Jennings. All rights reserved.
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