CHERON Kerry Blues
About Us Breed Standard History of the Breed Our Dogs Puppies
Breed Standard
General Appearance
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, Proportion, Substance
The ideal Kerry should be 18˝ inches at the withers for a dog, slightly less for
a bitch. In judging Kerries, a height of 18-19˝ inches for a dog, and 17˝-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 17˝ inches, or to a bitch over 19˝ 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.
Head
Long, but not exaggerated, and in good proportion to the rest of the body. Well
balanced. Eyes-Dark, small, not prominent, well placed and with a keen terrier
expression. Anything approaching a yellow eye is very undesirable.
Ears-V-shaped, small but not out of proportion to the size of the dog, of
moderate thickness, carried forward close to the cheeks with the top of the
folded ear slightly above the level of the skull. A "dead" ear, houndlike in
appearance, is very undesirable. Skull-Flat, with very slight stop, of moderate
breadth between the ears, and narrowing very slightly to the eyes. Foreface full
and well made up, not falling away appreciably below the eyes but moderately
chiseled out to relieve the foreface from wedginess. Little apparent difference
between the length of the skull and foreface. Jaws deep, strong and muscular.
Cheeks-Clean and level, free from bumpiness. Nose-Black, nostrils large and
wide. Teeth-Strong, white and either level or with the upper (incisors) teeth
slightly overlapping the lower teeth. An undershot mouth should be strictly
penalized.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck-Clean and moderately long, gradually widening to the shoulders upon which
it should be well set and carried proudly. Back short, strong and straight
(i.e., level), with no appearance of slackness. Chest deep and of moderate
breadth. Ribs fairly well sprung, deep rather than round. A slight tuck-up. Loin
short and powerful. Tail should be set on high, of moderate length and carried
gaily erect, the straighter the tail the better.
Forequarters
Shoulders fine, long and sloping, well laid back and well knit. The elbows
hanging perpendicularly to the body and working clear of the side in movement.
The forelegs should be straight from both front and side view. The pasterns
short, straight and hardly noticeable. Feet should be strong, compact, fairly
round and moderately small, with good depth of pad free from cracks, the toes
arched, turned neither in nor out, with black toenails.
Hindquarters
Strong and muscular with full freedom of action, free from droop or crouch, the
thighs long and powerful, stifles well bent and turned neither in nor out, hocks
near the ground and, when viewed from behind, upright and parallel with each
other, the dog standing well up on them.
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.
Color
Color is important. The correct mature color is any shade of blue gray or gray
blue from the deep slate to light blue gray, of a fairly uniform color
throughout except that distinctly darker to black parts may appear on the
muzzle, head, ears, tail and feet. Kerry color, in its process of "clearing,"
changes from an apparent black at birth to the mature gray blue or blue gray.
The color passes through one or more transitions--involving a very dark blue
(darker than deep slate), shades or tinges of brown, and mixtures of these,
together with a progressive infiltration of the correct mature color. The time
needed for this “clearing” process varies with each dog. Small white markings
are permissible. Black on the muzzle, head, ears, tail and feet is permissible
at any age. A black dog 18 months of age or older is never permissible in the
show ring and is to be disqualified. Disqualification - A black dog 18 months of
age or older is to be disqualified. (White markings on a black dog 18 months of
age or older does not constitute clearing or mature color and the dog is to be
disqualified.)
Gait
Full freedom of action. The elbows hanging perpendicularly to the body and
working clear of the sides in movement; both forelegs and hind legs should move
straight forward when traveling, the stifles turning neither in nor out.
Disqualifications
A black dog 18 months of age or older is to be disqualified. (White markings on
a black dog 18 months of age or older does not constitute clearing or mature
color and the dog is to be disqualified.)