When evaluating Kerry Blue Terriers, both in the show ring and in breeding programs, judges and breeders must balance multiple factors—head length, coat quality, conformation, and dentition, to name a few. But which of these is the highest priority? What faults are acceptable, and which fundamentally compromise the breed’s purpose?
The reality is that no dog fits the standard perfectly, but the goal is always to get as close as possible. Some aesthetic imperfections, such as slight variations in coat texture or minor deviations in head proportions, can be tolerated. However, when it comes to functionality and temperament, compromise is not an option.
Temperament: The Foundation of the Kerry Blue Terrier
At the heart of a well-bred Kerry Blue Terrier is a stable, confident temperament. These dogs were historically bred for versatility—herding, hunting, farm work, and family companionship. A Kerry should be bold, intelligent, and self-assured while maintaining control and responsiveness to its handler.
A Kerry Blue Terrier must be able to stand its ground without undue aggression or fear. Fear aggression is a serious issue in any breed, but in a working terrier, it can lead to unpredictability and even human-directed aggression.
Dog aggression should not be confused with correct sparring behavior. Judges often ask Kerries to spar—standing confidently and assessing one another’s presence—but this should not escalate into lunging, uncontrolled reactivity, or fear-driven responses.
A Kerry must be able to be called off and remain under control. If a dog cannot recover from sparring or becomes erratic, it is not demonstrating the correct temperament for the breed.
Confirmation Matters: Form Follows Function
Beyond temperament, conformation directly impacts a dog’s ability to function. A dog with poor build may struggle with movement, endurance, and efficiency in its original working roles.
A slight fault in head length or coat texture does not affect the dog’s ability to perform its duties. Structural faults, such as poor angulation, weak toplines, or faulty movement, do compromise the dog’s function. A Kerry who cannot move efficiently will tire quickly, lack endurance, and be less effective at work
“Without the cake, you can’t have icing.” Meaning, that while aesthetics like coat quality or ear set are important for presentation, they mean little if the dog lacks the proper structure and temperament.
The Role of Responsible Breeding
Temperament and structure are largely heritable traits. This is why pedigree research and selecting from reputable breeders is crucial. Some bloodlines carry a history of fear aggression, which can be predicted and avoided with careful breeding practices.
Final Thoughts: What Should Judges and Breeders Prioritize?
When evaluating a Kerry Blue Terrier, aesthetic traits should always be secondary to sound temperament and functional conformation. A slightly imperfect coat can be groomed. A slightly off head-shape will not affect the dog’s ability to work.
But a dog with an unstable mind, fear-based aggression, or poor structure is not just a deviation from the standard—it is a fundamental failure to uphold the purpose of the breed.
Judging and breeding decisions should always prioritize temperament, control, and function first. Everything else? That’s just the icing.
Few things are as mesmerizing as watching a well-balanced dog move effortlessly—floating across the ground with grace, efficiency, and power. I recently saw a post on Facebook by Kateriina Bartš, about the importance of body proportions on a poodle that create beautiful movement in the ring. It inspired me to write more about balance and movement for the Kerry Blue Terrier.
What exactly makes a dog’s movement appear effortless? The answer lies in balance, structure, and timing.
What Does Balanced Movement Look Like?
When analyzing a dog in motion, photo snapshot can reveal a lot. A balanced dog moves in perfect synchronization, with equal energy distribution between the front and back. Here’s what to look for in an ideal gait:
All four feet off the ground at the same time at peak suspension.
Front leg extension that reaches from the tip of the toe through the angle of the shoulder, forming a straight, clean line.
An “A”-shaped pendulum movement, where if the dog were suspended from the top of the “A,” it would appear naturally balanced.
Malbec in Motion – Perfect Balance and Suspension. Malbec moves effortlessly, forming a textbook “A” frame with excellent front reach and rear drive. All four legs are fully off the ground, showcasing ideal suspension, balance, and efficiency in motion—hallmarks of a well-structured and graceful dog.
When Balance is Off: The Disconnected Dog
Not all dogs move with this level of balance. Structural issues—such as short forearms or upright shoulders—create a disconnect between the front and back end, leading to inefficient movement.
Front-heavy dogs tend to work off their front limbs instead of engaging their hindquarters. Their short, choppy strides limit efficiency, similar to how a Missouri Fox Trotter’s gait alters timing.
Over-angulated back legs can cause a dog to overreach, crossing underneath the body instead of moving in sync with the front. This can lead to a sloped posture and inefficient movement patterns.
The Sidewinder Effect: When Timing and Angles Clash
One of the most extreme examples of imbalance can be seen in modern German Shepherds, which sometimes have exaggerated rear angulation. This causes their back legs to overreach and cross under their body, leading to sidewinding—a movement where the dog does not travel in a straight line but instead shifts sideways to compensate for poor balance.
Too much rear angulation forces the dog to lift its back legs higher than necessary, creating wasted energy.
Unequal front-to-back energy distribution results in a dog that moves like a quarter horse sprinting out of the gate—explosive at first, but unable to maintain the pace for long distances.
A sloped, squatting run is often seen in dogs that work primarily off their hind end rather than engaging both front and rear efficiently.
The Power of Proper Structure
A well-structured dog moves like an Arabian Horse—efficient, balanced, and capable of sustaining speed and endurance over time. The best-moving dogs utilize power from their hindquarters while maintaining a smooth and coordinated front-end stride, and burn the least amount of energy over time.
Next time you watch a dog in motion, look for these key elements of balance. The best movers are those that float—not just fast, but effortlessly efficient. Because when a dog moves with harmony, they move with power.
Kerry Blue Terrier puppies typically cost $3,500. There is no difference in price between a show dog and a pet because all of my puppies are top quality. The majority of breeders in the U.S. have similar prices because we openly discuss puppy pricing with one another. It is a somewhat rare breed in the United States, and most of us are members of the U.S. Kerry Blue Terrier Club.
There are a few kerry blue terrier breeders who attempt to undercut the rest of us, but overall, we tend to agree on a set price for puppies. In my opinion—and in the opinion of many others—our market price is too low. However, Kerries are an old breed, and many breeders are still accustomed to pricing from a time before we began conducting medical and genetic testing on all of our dogs. The expenses involved in raising a litter today are significantly different from those of 15 years ago.
What Expenses Go into Raising a Litter?
Health Testing
We DNA test everything. We test the parents and the puppies for all common diseases and disorders known to the breed. Our breeding dogs are also OFA-certified. The OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) is an organization that tracks health testing for breeding purposes. It establishes the minimum health standards required for responsible breeding, and all of our dogs are tested to meet those standards. Additionally, our breed club determines which specific tests are most important for our dogs.
For my breeding program, I perform hip X-rays to check for hip dysplasia, eye exams to screen for vision problems, and genetic testing for DM (degenerative myelopathy), among other inherited conditions. All of these test results are logged and maintained through the OFA.
Even though the price of a puppy has increased over the years that I’ve been breeding, I am not making more profit. My costs have risen because I prioritize the health of the dogs I breed. I willingly take on these expenses out of love for the breed.
Personally, my biggest competitor is the Doodle. Many people who initially consider a Kerry Blue Terrier end up buying a Doodle puppy instead because they are also hypoallergenic and more readily available. Potential buyers are often paying similar prices for Doodle puppies that have not undergone any health testing. Because Doodles are not a recognized breed within the OFA, there are no standardized tests for them. As mixed breeds, their breeders would have to test for every possible condition associated with all contributing breeds—something most do not do.
By contrast, Kerry Blue Terrier breeders have over 150 years of documented history, and we know exactly which genetic disorders to test for. The appeal of purchasing a purebred dog lies in the guarantees that come with their lineage. Buyers are investing in a history, a pedigree, and a temperament that has been carefully established over generations. This predictability is what makes purebred Kerry Blue Terrier puppies valuable and desirable.
Breeding Costs
Breeding our dogs is also more expensive than most people realize. Because Kerry Blue Terriers are a rare breed, we must be especially careful to maintain genetic diversity. For this reason, most of our semen is shipped from other breeders, which involves additional costs for storage and transportation.
Fortunately, this breed does not typically experience birthing complications, unlike some other breeds that are notorious for delivery issues. However, I frequently use artificial insemination. I take my females to a reproductive specialist for artificial insemination because I am extremely conscientious about preventing venereal diseases in my dogs. I love my girls, and I want to protect them from the risk of transmitting or contracting any illnesses. Prioritizing their health in this way is one of the ways I ensure the overall well-being of my breeding program.
Time and Training
Another significant expense is my time. Raising even a few puppies the right way requires an incredible amount of effort. My puppies are born and raised in my home, where they are socialized with other Kerry Blue Terriers to learn essential pack behaviors. It’s important that puppies do not leave for their new homes until they are at least 10 weeks old for both medical and socialization reasons.
During these ten weeks, the puppies are raised using Puppy Culture methods. They live with pack leaders, learning discipline, social norms, and how to interact within a structured group before they transition to their new families. The first 8–10 weeks are a critical period for socialization, helping them establish boundaries and learn to respect other dogs in the pack. Their mother plays a key role in teaching them essential behaviors, including eating habits—who eats first, who eats last—all of which contribute to their overall social development. These are crucial skills that puppies can only acquire when raised in a home environment with space to roam and interact naturally, rather than being confined to kennels.
During this time, I also ensure they learn how to interact with humans. I handle them regularly, as do my children and grandchildren, so they become well-adjusted to family life. Starting at three weeks old, the puppies begin litter box training. This early potty training helps them develop a transferable skill, making it much easier for them to transition to outdoor potty training in their new homes rather than having accidents indoors.
Transportation Costs
Transportation costs are not typically included in the price of a puppy because they can vary significantly. This is why breeders rarely discuss shipping costs until a potential puppy owner is ready to purchase. Some people prefer to pick up their puppy in person—they want to meet the parents, see where the puppies were raised, and connect with the breeder. That’s something I encourage! However, due to time and distance, an in-person visit isn’t always possible.
Picking Up at the Airport
I personally do not ship puppies. However, when new puppy parents are short on time, I often arrange to meet them at the airport when they fly in. Puppies can fly in a soft-sided bag with their new owners in the cabin. They must be 15 lbs or less, but they can slide under the seat in front of you as a personal item. All travel expenses are the responsibility of the buyer, and costs vary based on the airline and travel dates. Since airline prices are regulated and fluctuate frequently, I cannot predict the exact cost of this option.
Shipping
There are also shipping companies that specialize in transporting puppies. I have had excellent experiences with several reputable ground transporters who are bonded and insured. I can provide references for a few trusted ground transport services I have worked with for years. However, these are third-party contractors, and their pricing varies depending on mileage and the number of other dogs they are transporting along the same route.
Are Adult Dogs More Affordable?
I do have retired show dogs occasionally available for adoption, and yes, they are often more affordable than puppies. They make fantastic companions! These dogs have traveled extensively, are well-socialized, and are trained to walk on a lead. They are truly wonderful pets.
I personally find retired show dogs to be a great option because new owners can skip the challenges of the puppy stage—no chewing, no potty training. While I don’t have many adult dogs available, when I do, they tend to be more affordable simply because they are no longer puppies. Most are around four to six years old, meaning they are about one-third through their lifespan. Kerry Blue Terriers are a very healthy breed and typically live 15–16 years, so even at this age, they still have many wonderful years ahead.
Mallie and Paul Catterson had a top long holiday weekend: a Best in Show ribbon, 2 Reserve Best in Show ribbons, and 4 Group one blue ribbons!This team rocks the dog show world!
This team rocks the dog show world!
