Kerry Blue Terrier
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The breed's info is divided in four sections; namely:
the breed's history ,
the breed's main stats ,
the dog's potential health issues
and finally, how the breed scored in 26 different categories.
All the above information should give you a respectively good overview for the dog of your interest.
Dog Breed's Main Info
The Breed's History:
The Kerry Blue Terrier was first observed in the mountains of Kerry in Ireland, hence the name of the breed. There is a romantic story of a blue dog swimming ashore from a shipwreck: the coat of this dog was so lovely that it was mated with all the female Wheaten Terriers in Kerry (or in all Ireland, according to some), producing the Kerry Blue.
Perhaps this story is not entirely myth, as the Portuguese Water Dog is often suggested as part of the Kerry's makeup. Others suggest the Kerry was produced by the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier crossed with the Bedlington Terrier with (or without) some Irish Wolfhound or Irish Terrier blood. The extinct Gadhar herding dog is also mentioned as another possible branch of the Kerry's family tree.
One certain fact is the breed became very popular as an all-around farm dog in rural Ireland.
In the early 1900s, Irish patriot Michael Collins introduced legislation to name the Kerry Blue the National Dog of Ireland. His own Kerry Blue was named Convict 225. Collins was murdered, however, before the legislation could be passed, and after his death, interest in the initiative was lost.
Country of Origin:
Ireland
Breed Group:
Terrier
Height:
1 foot, 5 inch. to 1 foot, 7 inch. (43,18 to 48,26 cm)
Weight:
33 to 40 pounds (14,96 to 18,15 Kg)
Life Span:
12 to 15 years
Potential Health Issues:
Skin Cysts,
Hypothyroidism,
Cancer,
Entropion,
Dry Eye,
Cataracts,
Keratoses,
Progressive Neuronal Abiotrophy (PNA),
Hip Dysplasia,
Patellar Luxation,
Chronic Otitis Externa,
Factor Xl Deficiency (Plasma Thromboplastin Antecedent Deficiency)
Adaptability
Apartment Living:
First Time Owners:
Sensitivity:
Being Alone:
Cold Weather:
Hot Weather:
Friendliness
Affection With Family:
With Kids:
With Dogs:
With Strangers:
Health and Grooming
Shedding:
Drooling:
Easy To Groom:
Overall Health:
Weight Gain Potential:
Size:
Training
Easiness:
Intelligence:
Mouthiness:
Prey Drive:
Barking or Howling:
Wanderlust:
Need For Exercise
Energy Level:
Intensity:
Exercise Needs:
Playfulness:
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