The Kerry Blue Terrier is described by our breed standard as, "an upstanding and well-knit,... good tempered, spirited, friendly, and brave with an Irishman's sense of humor". They are known for their intelligence, affection toward their family and children, and of course their show-stopping coat. This breed is alert and always prepared to stand their ground. In true terrier fashion, they won't always start it but they will finish 'it'. 

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Combining both their energy and will to please, the Kerry makes a wonderful family companion, adventure buddy, and protector. Originally bred in Ireland as an all-purpose farm dog, Kerries had to have the versatility to not only protect farms from predators and pests but also serve as hunters of small game such as rabbits and birds, in addition to their roles as herders and family members.  Their intelligence allows them to learn quickly and may pose as stubbornness when training becomes repetitive and loses its 'fun' factor. When training the Kerry Blue Terrier, a sense of humor and creativity must be used to keep from disengaging or creating an unnecessarily tense training session.

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Kerries thrive in a variety of home types but are best suited for active families that keep their Kerry an integral part of their family. Furthermore, they are wonderful for families that require 'hypoallergenic" coats. (It should be noted, that while the dog produces greatly less dander than the average dog, these are terriers that enjoy being outdoors, so allergens may come from environmental factors. Frequent quality bathing and grooming may decrease any reactions).