Kerry Blue Terrier
| Kerry Blue Terrier | ||
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| FCI Standard No. 3 | ||
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| Origin : |
Ireland |
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| Patronage : | ||
| Alternative names: |
Blue Irish Terrier |
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| Withers height: |
Male 45.5–49.5 cm, |
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| Weight: |
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| List of domestic dogs | ||
The Kerry Blue Terrier is an Irish breed recognized by the FCI (No. 3, Gr. 3, Sec. 1) in 1922 . The origin and ancestry of this dog breed are not exactly known, so there are several legends and theories about the origin of the terrier . The best known and most recognized origin is said to be the County Kerry , from which the dog breed also got its name. In Germany , the breed was initially registered as the Irish Blue Terrier . This term is still used occasionally today. Originally the Blue Irish Terrier served as a hunting and farm dog.
Origins, evolution and history of the breed
The origin and descent of the breed has been uncertain since it was first mentioned in the 18th century. During this period, people invented various legends and developed theories.
Legend and theories of origin
According to legend, “many years ago a blue male [swam] ashore from a Spanish shipwreck in Tralee Bay . This dog [was] so courageous and brave that the farmers widely used the male for breeding for their bitches in order to pass on his excellent character traits. ” According to legend, this dog was the progenitor of all blue terriers.
Another theory is that breeding began in County Kerry . It was reserved only for the nobility to breed and hunt the Irish Wolfhound . Out of envy, the normal population secretly crossed their original terriers with the Irish Wolfhound in order to increase hunting characteristics such as speed and endurance. However, it is uncertain whether there is a relationship with the Irish , Irish Glen , Irish Soft Coated Wheaten or a now unknown terrier breed.
Many writers who dealt with cynology developed their own theories. Clifford Hubbard, a 20th century writer, suggested that the Kerry Blue Terrier originated from a now-extinct Irish Shepherd . The locals called this breed "Godhar".
In 1887 there was a report from Limerick about a separate show class for silver terriers. The Dublin- born writer HD Richardson describes a "Harlequin Terrier". This breed, unknown today, is said to have had a slate-blue coat with dark spots or tan spots on the muzzle and legs. This is understandable as puppies are still being littered today that have a light mark under the neck. This star, as it is also called, disappears with the age of the dog.
In a monograph from 1933 it is mentioned that the Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier is the original breed of the Kerry Blue Terrier. The dog book author Rawdon Lee wrote that a resident of Waterford has been keeping and breeding "Blue Terriers" for a long time. That happened long before the Irish Terrier was fashionable. For the first time, the fur structure tended to form curls.
First breeding and development of a recognized standard
The Irish Kennel Club recognized the Kerry Blue Terrier in 1913. In the same year, the breeding judge Frank Butler, who was responsible for almost all breeds, judged Irish Blue Terriers for the first time in Cork , which were registered as Irish Terriers. The terriers were small compared to the modern day dogs. The same judge first registered the Kerry Blue Terrier breed during the Killarney Dog Show in 1916. The animals were not uniform. Some were noticeably big like a bobtail or small like a Fox Terrier . Appearance did not play a role in the exhibitions at that time: the character of the animals was assessed, the most important role was valor and suitability for hunting. During this exhibition, a bitch named "Blue Belle" won. The bitch was the basis for establishing an international standard that has constantly evolved. At the beginning of the Irish shows, only dogs that had been shown to kill a badger and had successfully hunted rabbits and rats could win a victory. These tests were later banned.
A "Dublin Blue Terrier Club" was founded in 1920. The Kerry Blue Terrier then developed as a mascot for Irish patriots, and later even as a competitor to the actual Irish national dog, the Irish Wolfhound .
In 1922 the breed was recognized by the FCI . The Kerry Blue Terrier was hardly represented in England until 1922. It was only at the Crufts in February 1922 that the breed made its breakthrough. During this time the Kerry Blue Terrier Club of England was founded. At that time the animals were unscathed and rough. Many visitors comment on the breed's appearance mostly negatively. In 1924 all shades were banned except for the color specified in the breed name. The dog had to be either blue-black or silver. The silver coat should be reached by the age of two years or less.
For the exhibition in Kensington and for the Olympia Dog Show , the number of Kerry Blue Terriers increased, and at the same time the dog breed became more uniform. The tan and white colored animals, as they appeared before, disappeared completely. During that time, every terrier had prominent brown eyes for the first time. During the Great Joint Terrier exhibition in 1922, the Kerry Blue Terriers were awarded the championship title for the first time. Due to the repeated appearance at exhibitions, the breed ultimately spread very strongly in England. The English shaped the appearance of the blue terriers by cutting their fur, which is similar today.
description
The Kerry Blue Terrier is a high-legged terrier that can grow up to 49.5 cm and weigh 18 kg. His soft, wavy and lush coat distinguishes him from other terriers. The coat color varies from light silver gray in all shades of blue to slate to midnight blue. Since the Irish Blue Terrier has no woolly hair , it sheds minimally. The puppy is black at birth, with some puppies having a white patch under their long neck that disappears after a year. At 18 months his coat should no longer be black; a slight brown color indicates that it is changing its color. Its final color change to steel blue can take up to 3 years.
The dog is built of medium length and has small to medium-sized button ears that are carried high and tilt forward. The tail has not been docked since June 1, 1998, but should be carried upright in the shape of a crescent moon. The Kerry Blue Terrier has dark eyes that are covered by fur when they are breed-specific. The goatee is also typical.
breed
In addition to the widespread distribution of the Kerry Blue Terrier in the British Isles , there was a moderate distribution of the breed outside. In Germany, the first Kerry Blue or Irish Blue Terrier was entered in a cartel stud book in 1928.
The first litter was born in Switzerland in 1927, after the first Kerry Blue Terriers came to the country two years earlier.
The first Kerry Blue Terriers arrived in the Netherlands in 1926. It wasn't until 1937 that the breed caught the eye of local cynologists.
In the United States (USA), the first imports probably go back to the 1920s. The first American "Kerry Blue Terrier" club was founded on February 9, 1925 in New York City .
In Russia and the Soviet Union imports are to be expected before the Second World War. The first entries were made in 1954 when two litters were listed in a catalog at a dog show. It was not until the 1970s that the breed spread there through imports from Central Europe ( Czechoslovakia ) and Scandinavia (especially Finland ).
character
Essence
The Kerry Blue Terrier is considered to be people-friendly, intelligent, self-confident, stormy, brave, vigilant, but also stubborn and stubborn. He needs a consistent, calm and uniform upbringing right from the start. The Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen also quotes the FCI on the subject of cautious behavior as “a terrier through and through”.
Use and movement
In the past it was used as a hunting dog , especially for badgers and otters , today it is mainly used as a family dog . The Kerry Blue Terrier is described as being very active, running and learning. In order to support his natural talents, almost all dog sports such as tracking, companion and rescue dog, but also agility, obedience or tournament dog sports are suitable for him.
Known owners
At the largest dog show in the world, the Crufts , in 2008 several well-known personalities and celebrities who owned a Kerry Blue Terrier were named. The heavyweight boxers Henry Cooper , Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney owned several Kerry Blue Terriers, as well as Alfred Hitchcock , Perry Como and Michael Mann .
Individual evidence
- ^ A b c Sarah Whitehead, Beverly Cuddy: Dogs. Education & behavior, care & attitude, races. Weltbild-Verlag, Augsburg 2001, ISBN 3-8289-1600-7 , p. 199.
- ↑ a b c d e f Frauke Korte: Breed booklet Kerry Blue Terrier (= Der Terrier . October 1998). Klub für Terrier eV from 1894, 1998, ZDB -ID 987347-8 , p. 28 .
- ↑ a b c d e Frauke Korte: Breed booklet Kerry Blue Terrier (= Der Terrier . October 1998). Klub für Terrier eV from 1894, Kelsterbach 1998, p. 29 .
- ↑ a b c Bruce Fogle: Atlas psů do kapsy. Cesty, Prague 2000, ISBN 80-7181-456-3 , p. 152.
- ↑ Kerry Blue Terrier - Description In: terrier.de (accessed on July 10, 2013).
- ^ History of the Kerry Blue Terrier ... In: kerryblues.com (accessed July 10, 2013).
- ↑ Hans Räber : Encyclopedia of the pedigree dogs. Origin, history, breeding goals, suitability and use. Volume 2: Terriers, running dogs, pointing dogs, retrievers, water dogs, greyhounds. Franckh-Kosmos, Stuttgart 1995, ISBN 3-440-06752-1 , p. 107.
- ↑ Hans Räber: Encyclopedia of the pedigree dogs. Origin, history, breeding goals, suitability and use. Volume 2: Terriers, running dogs, pointing dogs, retrievers, water dogs, greyhounds. Franckh-Kosmos, Stuttgart 1995, ISBN 3-440-06752-1 , p. 109.
- ↑ Frauke Korte: Breed booklet Kerry Blue Terrier (= Der Terrier . October 1998). Klub für Terrier eV from 1894, Kelsterbach 1998, p. 40 f .
- ↑ Frauke Korte: Breed booklet Kerry Blue Terrier (= Der Terrier . October 1998). Klub für Terrier eV from 1894, Kelsterbach 1998, p. 43 .
- ↑ Frauke Korte: Breed booklet Kerry Blue Terrier (= Der Terrier . October 1998). Klub für Terrier eV from 1894, Kelsterbach 1998, p. 44 .
- ↑ Vulnerable Breeds Parade 2008 - Kerry Blue Terrie. In: youtube.com, October 3, 2009 (accessed July 10, 2013).
literature
- Violet E. Handy: The Modern Kerry Blue Terrier . “Our Dogs”, Manchester 1933 (English, reprint. Read Books, sl 2005, ISBN 1-84664-998-6 ).
- Bardi McLennan: Kerry Blue Terrier . Special limited edition. Kennel Club Books, Allenhurst NJ 2005, ISBN 1-59378-321-3 (English).
