Kerry Blue Terrier

The Kerry Blue Terrier is an Irish terrier from County Kerry, developed as an all-purpose farm dog for vermin control, guarding, herding, and rough shooting. It is a medium-sized, square, muscular dog with a soft wavy coat and a full beard. Puppies are born black or very dark, then clear over time to shades of blue-gray, a feature that separates the breed from many other terriers in appearance as well as grooming needs.

This is an active, clever terrier that benefits from structured training, early socialization, and clear household expectations. Many Kerry Blues are confident and may be selective with other dogs, so careful introductions matter. The coat sheds little but grows continuously and needs regular combing, clipping, and shaping to prevent matting. Owners considering the breed should be prepared for both exercise and coat maintenance, and should ask breeders about screening for inherited eye, hip, skin, and other conditions reported in Kerry Blue lines.

Colors: Apricot, Bicolor, Black, Black and Tan, Black and White, Black Mask, Blue, Blue and Tan, Blue Gray, Blue Merle, Blue Roan, Blue Tick, Brindle, Brown, Brown and Tan, Brown and White, Chocolate, Cream, Dapple, Domino, Fawn, Fawn and White, Gold, Gray, Gray Blue, Harlequin, Irish Marked, Liver, Liver Mask, Mantle, Mask, Merle, Mottled, Parti-Color, Piebald, Red, Red and White, Red Merle, Red Roan, Red Tick, Reverse Brindle, Roan, Sable, Saddle, Silver, Silver Blue, Slate Blue, Speckled, Spotted, Tan, Ticked, Tricolor, Tuxedo, White, Yellow