Where the Kerry Blue Terrier came from
The Kerry Blue Terrier comes from Ireland, and the name points to County Kerry. The breed was used to control vermin, and also worked as a farm dog, a herder and a guard. The first written description of the type dates to 1847, when the dogs were described as bluish slate in color.
As dog shows grew in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the breed was cleaned up for the ring. The Irish nationalist leader Michael Collins owned a famous Kerry Blue named Convict 224, and he tried to make the breed Ireland's national dog. The AKC recognized the Kerry Blue Terrier in 1922.
Today Kerry Blues are bold, smart, strong willed terriers with a soft, wavy blue coat. They are known for being loyal and for needing a firm, fair and active owner.
- 1847 The Kerry Blue is first described in writing as bluish slate in color
- 1922 AKC recognizes the Kerry Blue Terrier
- 1922 The Irish Kennel Club is formed, and a Kerry Blue is said to be the first dog it registers
The job a Kerry Blue Terrier was bred for
A do everything Irish farm terrier. It killed rats, helped with stock, guarded the house and went after small game. That is why many Kerry Blues are alert, confident, wary of strange dogs and ready to take charge.
What you may see at home
Confident, strong willed, wary of strange dogs, loyal to their people.
Give them: Agility, scent work, structure, and calm social practice.
Sports that fit a Kerry Blue Terrier
- Agility. Athletic and quick, with a lot of drive
- Obedience. Smart enough to learn, if training stays fun
- Barn hunt. Lets them use the hunting instinct
- Scent work. A calm way to burn energy
- Rally. Good for a strong willed dog who needs structure
Training tips for a Kerry Blue Terrier
- Start early with calm socialization. Kerry Blues can be pushy or reactive with other dogs.
- Use reward based training with clear rules. They test limits and respond poorly to harsh methods.
- Teach settle on a mat and reward it.
- Practice calm greetings on leash, and give lots of exercise and mental work.
Body and health
A medium, muscular terrier with a soft wavy coat that does not shed much but needs regular grooming and trimming. Ask the breeder about skin and eye health testing.
Fun fact. Kerry Blue puppies are born black. Their coat slowly changes to blue as they grow, often by around 18 months to two years.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Kerry Blue Terrier is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
Free tools for your dog
- Breed drive calculatorMixed breed? Add the other breeds and see the drives your dog was bred with.
- Dog breed quizTen photos, four names each. The same quiz our trainers take.
- Dog drive testAnswer everyday moments and find the job your dog runs on.
Looking for a different breed? See what 137 breeds were bred to do, and download any of their guides.