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The Kerry Blue Terrier is known in Ireland, where it originated, as the Irish Blue Terrier and it is one of the oldest Irish breeds. The Irish type retains its full coat and though it is somewhat unkempt and rough there is something very attractive about it with its unique bluish-grey colouring. This dog has become popular only within the last twenty years, as before this it was considered a crossbred of no account. It is a definite Terrier type and a real "blue devil" in a fight.
1936 DOGS - First SERIES OF 48 No 48 ISSUED BY GALLAHER
This Terrier has been well-known in Ireland for at least half-a-century, and the breed has been built up by careful selection from terriers chosen at first, no doubt, primarily for their "varmiting" properties. The Kerry Blue is a handsome, companionable terrier, sporty but trustworthy, the old sparring habits having been largely eliminated. Eighteen inches at the shoulder is a good height, for dogs, bitches being shorter. All shades of blue from light to dark are met with. In puppies the coat is often tinged with tan which disappears on maturity.
1929 DOGS HEADS - No 44 in a series of 50, issued by Players
The cards illustrated are all scans of the original vintage
cards ... they originally came in cigarette packets |
One of the larger terriers, greatly valued as a vermin dog in Ireland, its native country. Head long and well-balanced, with powerful foreface and jaw and level mouth. Gums, mouth and nose black. Eyes dark, rather small and keen in expression. Neck lengthy. Body short, deep in chest and well sprung in rib. Legs straight and well boned. Hindquarters powerful. Toe-nails black. Tail set on high and carried gaily. Coat soft, profuse and wavy. Colour: any shade of bluish-grey; a little tan on head or legs permissible. Coat is usually very dark in colour until dog is about eighteen months old.
1937 DOGS - No 45 in a series of 50, issued by Wills
The Kerry Blue Terrier (known in Ireland as the Irish Blue Terrier) appeared on the Show Bench in this country as recently as 1920. In Ireland, however, the dog is of considerable antiquity, possibly older than his first cousin, the Irish Terrier, certainly so in the County of Kerry. He is a game, hard bitten Terrier, of quaint appearance. Colours: any shade of blue from light to dark; slight tan is allowable up to the age of eighteen months, after which tan markings constitute a disqualification.
Height: dogs 18 in., bitches slightly less.
Weight: dogs 33-35 lb., bitches 30-33 lb.
1931 DOGS - No 46 in a series of 50, issued by Players
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