Numerical Grading of the Kerry Blue

Compiled by John Van den Bergh, based on information provided
by Neil Hamilton and Marilyn Brotherton



The nice thing about the US conformation standard for the KBT is that there is a numerical value set for each part of the dog. These numerical values can be used by judges to grade Kerries in conformation competition.

The numerical values set by the US Kerry Blue Terrier Club are:

     

  • Head 20
  • Neck 5
  • Legs and Feet 10
  • Shoulders and Chest 10
  • Body 10
  • Hindquarters and Stern 10
  • Color 10
  • Coat 15
  • General Conformation
  • and Character 10
  • Total 100 


      




Marilyn Brotherton uses a more specific and extensive set of categories
to grade her puppies:



    
  
     
  
  • Temperament 10
  
  • Height 5
  
  • Balance 5
  
  • Bone 5
  
  • Genetic cleanliness 5
  
  • Coat 5
  
  • Skull 5
  
  • Colour 5
  
  • Foreface 5
  
  • Topline 5
  
  • Eye 5
  
  • Chest 5
  
  • Dentition 5
  
  • Shoulder 5
  
  • Ear 5
  
  • Rear 5
  
  • Body length 5
  
  • Tail and tail set 5
  
  • Feet 5
  
  • Total 100







Marilyn's system is for grading a litter of pups, to determine:



    
  
  1. the best breeding stock,
  
  2. the best show prospects,
  
  3. the best pets.




This method emphasizes temperament, rather than coat and colour. Using
the point system can be an eye opener. Often times, that flashy show pup
is NOT the best one for the breeder to keep!!! 



      
	
 

	





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