CHERON Kerry Blues

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Kerry Blue Terrier 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).
 

• It is thought that the peasantry of Ireland developed the Kerry as an answer to the nobility using Irish Wolfhounds. The Irish Wolfhounds were used to protect noble hunting grounds from poachers. The Kerry was used to help the peasantry to silently hunt the noble hunting grounds.
  
   
• The Kerry Blue Terrier originated in Ireland.
  
   
• The Kerry is an all-round working and utility terrier. The breed was used in Ireland and England for hunting small game and birds, and for retrieving from land and water.
  
   
• The Kerry's most distinguishing characteristic is its coat. Described in the breed standard as "soft, dense, and wavy," it does not shed and can be tolerated by many people with pet allergies.
  
   
• The first Kerry Blues in North America were five pets imported in 1918-9; the breed first appeared at shows in the very early 1920's.
  
   
• Kerry Blues are born black and, if correct, have the dominant gene for coat fading. The color begins to fade to gray and acquires its adult solid slate gray color by 18 months.

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