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A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure.

To view photos of this breed please visit the Kennel Club Picture Library

General Appearance
Upstanding, well knit and proportioned, well developed and muscular body.

Characteristics
Compact, powerful Terrier, showing gracefulness and an attitude of alert determination, with definite Terrier style and character throughout.

Temperament
Disciplined gameness.

Head and Skull
Well balanced, long, proportionally lean, with slight stop and flat over the skull. Foreface and jaw very strong, deep and punishing; nose black; nostrils of due proportion.

Eyes
Dark as possible. Small to medium with keen Terrier expression.

Ears
Small to medium and V-shaped; carried forward but not too high.

Mouth
Gums and roof of mouth dark with perfect, regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck
Strong and reachy, running into sloping shoulders.

Forequarters
Shoulders flat as possible with elbows carried close to body while standing or moving. Legs straight, bone powerful. Front straight, neither too wide nor too narrow.

Body
Short-coupled with good depth of brisket and and well sprung ribs. Deep chest. Topline level.

Hindquarters
Large and well developed, stifle bent and hocks close to ground giving perfect freedom of hind action.

Feet
Round and small. Nails black.

Tail
Previously customarily docked.
Docked: Set on high and carried erect.
Undocked: Set on high of moderate length to give an overall balanced appearance. Thick at the base and evenly tapering to tip, straight as possible and carried jauntily. An excessively gay or curled tail undesirable.

Gait/Movement
Free and powerful. Fore- and hindlegs moving straight and parallel, stifles turning neither in nor out.

Coat
Soft and silky, plentiful and wavy.

Colour
Any shade of blue with or without black points. Tan permissible in puppies, also a dark colour up to the age of 18 months. A small white patch on chest should not be penalised.

Size
Ideal height: dogs: 46-48 cms (18-19 ins) at shoulder; bitches slightly less. The most desirable weight for a fully developed dog is 15-17 kgs (33-37 lbs), and bitches should weigh proportionately less, but 16 kgs kgs (35 lbs) is the most desirable weight to aim for.

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Last Updated - September 2007

Glossary of Canine Terms

Some links to health information and resources that may be relevant to this breed:

Veterinary screening schemes - The Kennel Club operates these with the British Veterinary Association.

DNA screening schemes - detect disease-causing mutations in a number of breeds.

Current Accredited Breeder Scheme health screening requirements and recommendations - for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by a Kennel Club Accredited Breeder.

Breed Watch - a tool aimed at dog show judges and exhibitors to highlight and tackle any current concerns in a breed

Health Test results Finder Tool - access results of any official KC health testing scheme for Kennel Club registered dogs

2004 Purebred Dog Health Survey Results - Individual summaries are available where the breed response rate was greater than 15%.

Recommended Reading

All the below publications are available from the Online Shop.

Kennel Club Breed Standards Kennel Club Breed Standards are available for most breeds indicating the qualities which competition judges normally take into account and the standard or model which breeders endeavour to achieve. The Breed Standards can be purchased by group.

Breed Clubs and Societies

• KERRY BLUE TERRIER ASSOC. Sec. Ms Munro. Tel No: 01787 269977
• KERRY BLUE TERRIER ASSOC. OF NORTHERN IRELAND. Sec. Mr J G Keery. Tel No: 01846 692866
• KERRY BLUE TERRIER CLUB OF ENGLAND. Sec. Mrs Bradley.
• NORTHERN KERRY BLUE CLUB. Sec: Miss C Clarke-O’Neill. Tel No: 0151 474 6012

This breed of dog is a 'Vulnerable Native Breed'.

Date page created:

Categories:

Terrier Group 

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