Comparative Standard
of the Kerry Blue Terrier

Copyright © 2003 Kerry Blue Terrier Foundation

This table is for comparison only. Some sentences from the standard were split to fit the table.
For a complete and unedited version of the standard, you must consult the official standard.

	USA-AKC	Canada-CKC	Ireland	UK-UKC
			Adopted by FCI
General Appearance	The typical Kerry Blue Terrier should be upstanding well knit and in good balance, showing a well-developed and muscular body with definite terrier style and character throughout. Correct coat and color are important. A low-slung Kerry is not typical.	Upstanding, well knit and in good balance, showing a well-developed and muscular body with definite terrier style and character throughout. A low-slung Kerry is not typical.	Upstanding, well knit, and well proportioned, showing a well developed muscular body with definite Terrier style and character throughout.	Compact, muscular, medium-sized terrier with moderately long legs. The breed takes its name from its wavy, blue coat. The preferred ratio of length of body (prosternum to point of buttocks) to height (withers to ground) to is 10:9. The head is long, but not exaggerated, with small, V-shaped, button ears. The tail is set on high, carried erect, and docked to a moderate length.
Characteristics				Correct temperament is as essential for Kerry breed type as the blue color. The English standard describes it as "disciplined gameness," and it is an intensity of spirit that gives the Kerry an alert, ready-for-action personality. The Kerry is enthusiastic but strong-willed, so training can be a challenge. Kerries thrive with lots of human companion-ship, provided the owner is at least as strong-willed as the dog. The Kerry Blue Terrier's thick, wavy coat requires regular grooming to maintain a smart, tailored appearance.
Head	Long, but not exaggerated, and in good proportion to the rest of the body. Well balanced.	Long, but not exaggerated and in good proportion to the rest of the body. Well balanced, with little apparent difference between the length of the skull and foreface.	Strong and well balanced, showing plenty of hair. Dogs should be stronger in head and more muscular than bitches.	Long, but proportionate to the size of the body. When viewed from the side, the skull and muzzle are of roughly equal length, parallel to one another, and joined by a slight stop.
Skull	Flat, with very slight stop, of moderate breadth between the ears, and narrowing very slightly to the eyes. Foreface full and well made up, not falling away appreciably below the eyes but moderately chiseled out to relieve the foreface from wedginess. Little apparent difference between the length of the skull and foreface. Jaws deep, strong and muscular.	Flat, and narrowing very slightly to the eyes.		Flat and of moderate width, tapering slightly toward the muzzle. Cheeks are flat and clean.
Foreface	Full and well make up, not falling away appreciable below the eyes but moderately chiseled out to relieve the foreface from wedginess.	Full and well made up, not falling away appreciably below the eyes but moderately chiseled out to relieve the foreface from wedginess.	Medium length	The muzzle is sufficiently wide and deep to balance the skull. There is a minimum of falling away under the eye, giving a moderately chiselled look.
Stop			Slight
Nose	Black, nostrils large and wide.	Black, nostrils large and wide	Black; nostrils, large and wide	Black with large, wide nostrils.
Cheeks	Clean and level, free from bumpiness.	Clean and level, free from bumpiness
Teeth	Strong, white and either level or with the upper (incisors) teeth slightly overlapping the lower teeth. An undershot mouth should be strictly penalized.	Strong, white and either level or with the upper (incisors) teeth slightly overlapping the lower teeth.	Level, large and white	Complete set of good-sized, evenly spaced, white teeth. A scissors bite is preferred but a level bite is acceptable.
Mouth			Gums and roof of mouth, dark	Lips are tight and darkly pigmented.
Jaw or Muzzle		Deep, strong and muscular.	Strong and muscular;	The underjaw is strong.
Eyes	Dark, small, not prominent, well placed and with a keen terrier expression. Anything approaching a yellow eye is very undesirable.	Dark, small, not prominent, well placed and with a keen terrier expression.	Dark or dark hazel, medium in size and well placed.	Small, round, dark in color, and set moderately wide apart. Expression is full of fire and intelligence.
Ears	V-shaped, small but not out of proportion to the size of the dog, of moderate thickness, carried forward close to the cheeks with the top of the folded ear slightly above the level of the skull. A "dead" ear, houndlike in appearance, is very undesirable.	V-shaped, small but not out of proportion to the size of the dog, of moderate thickness, carried forward close to the cheek with the top of the folded ear slightly above the level of the skull.	Thin and not large, carried in front or close to the sides of the head.	Button ears are proportionate to the size of the dog, set on high, and of moderate thickness. The ears are carried close to the cheeks with the top fold of the ear slightly above the level of the skull.
Neck	Clean and moderately long, gradually widening to the shoulders upon which it should be well set and carried proudly.	Clean and moderately long, gradually widening to the shoulders upon which it should be well set and carried proudly.	Well proportioned: well set on shoulders and moderately long.	Moderate length, carried proudly with a slight arch at the crest. The neck widens gradually from where it joins the skull to where it blends into well-laid back shoulders. The skin on the neck is tight and without dewlap.
Body	Ribs fairly well sprung, deep rather than round. A slight tuck-up. Loin short and powerful.	Ribs fairly well sprung, deep rather than round. A slight tuck-up. Loin short and powerful.	Ribs well sprung	The ribs extend well back and are well sprung from the spine, then flattening to form a deep body extending to the elbows. The back is short and level, blending into a short, powerful loin with a slight tuckup. The croup is nearly flat. Chest is deep but only moderately wide.
Shoulders	Shoulders fine, long and sloping, well laid back and well knit.	Shoulders fine, long and sloping, well laid back and well knit.	Fine, sloping to the body, and well knit	Long, fine, well laid back and well knit. The upper arm is long and forms an apparent 90 degree angle with the shoulder blade.
Chest	Chest deep and of moderate breadth.	Deep and of but moderate breadth.	Chest to be deep and of moderate width.
Back	Back short, strong and straight (i.e., level), with no appearance of slackness.	Short, strong and straight (i.e., level), with no appearance of slackness.	Medium length, level and not long over loins.
Tail	Tail should be set on high, of moderate length and carried gaily erect, the straighter the tail the better.	Set on high, of moderate length and carried gaily erect; the straighter the better.	Thin, well placed and carried erect and gaily.	Set on high, docked to a moderate length, and carried erect, the straighter the better.
Limbs or Legs		Legs moderately long with plenty of bone and muscle.	Straight in front, bone good
Forelegs	Shoulders fine, long and sloping, well laid back and well knit. The elbows hanging perpendicularly to the body and working clear of the side in movement. The forelegs should be straight from both front and side view. The pasterns short, straight and hardly noticeable.	The forelegs should be straight from both front and side view, with the elbows hanging perpendicularly to the body and working clear of the sides in movement, the pasterns short, straight, and hardly noticeable.		Straight, viewed from any angle, and moderately long. The elbows are set close to the body but able to move freely in action. The pasterns are short, powerful, straight, and flexible. When viewed in profile, the pasterns are nearly erect.
Hindlegs or Thighs	Strong and muscular with full freedom of action, free from droop or crouch, the thighs long and powerful, stifles well bent and turned neither in nor out, hocks near the ground and, when viewed from behind, upright and parallel with each other, the dog standing well up on them.	Strong and muscular with full freedom of action, free from droop or crouch, the thighs long and powerful, stifles well bent and turned neither in nor out, hocks near the ground and when viewed from behind, upright and parallel with each other, the dog standing well up on them.	Muscular, well developed, strong hocks, hind legs well set under dog.	The hindquarters are strong and muscular. The bone, angulation, and musculature of the hindquarters are in balance with the forequarters. The stifles are well bent, and the hocks are well let down. When the dog is standing, the short, strong rear pasterns are perpendicular to the ground and, viewed from the rear, parallel to one another.
Feet	Feet should be strong, compact, fairly round and moderately small, with good depth of pad free from cracks, the toes arched, turned neither in nor out, with black toenails.	Compact, fairly round and moderately small, with good depth of pad free from cracks, the toes arched, turned neither in nor out, with black toenails.	Compact, pads strong and rounded, toe nails black	Fairly round, moderately small, well arched, and tight. Pads are hard, tough, and well cushioned, with no cracks. Toenails are strong and black. Front dew claws may be removed.
Coat or Hair	Correct coat is important it is to be soft, dense and wavy. A harsh, wire or bristle coat should be severely penalized. In show trim the body should be well covered but tidy, with the head (except for the whiskers) and the ears and cheeks clear.	Soft, dense, and wavy. A harsh wire or bristle coat should be severely penalized. In show trim, the body should be well covered but tidy, with the head (except for the whiskers) and the ears and cheeks clear.	Soft, plentiful and wavy.	Single-coated dog. The coat is soft, dense, and wavy.
Colour	Color is important. The correct mature color is any shade of blue gray or gray blue from the deep slate to light blue gray, of a fairly uniform color throughout except that distinctly darker to black parts may appear on the muzzle, head, ears, tail and feet. Kerry color, in its process of "clearing," changes from an apparent black at birth to the mature gray blue or blue gray. The color passes through one or more transitions--involving a very dark blue (darker than deep slate), shades or tinges of brown, and mixtures of these, together with a progressive infiltration of the correct mature color. The time needed for this “clearing” process varies with each dog. Small white markings are permissible. Black on the muzzle, head, ears, tail and feet is permissible at any age. A black dog 18 months of age or older is never permissible in the show ring and is to be disqualified.	Any shade of blue gray or gray blue from deep slate to light blue gray, of a fairly uniform colour throughout except the distinctly darker to black parts may appear on the muzzle, head, ears, tail and feet. [...] Up to 18 months such deviations from the correct mature colour are permissible without preference and without regard for uniformity. [...]	Blue of any shade with or without black points. Black is permissible only up to the age of 18 months, as is also a shade of tan.	Any shade of blue is permissible. Colour is fairly uniform except distinctly darker to black colours may appear on the muzzle, head, ears, tail, and feet. Kerry Blue Terrier puppies are born black or nearly black. As they mature, the colour goes through stages, which include black, very dark blue, shades of brown, and mixtures of these. The coat progressively "clears" from these colours to the correct mature colour by the time the dog reaches the age of 18 months. Until a dog is 18 months of age, deviations from correct mature colour will not be penalized and any doubt as to whether a dog is black or very dark blue shall be resolved in the dog's favor.
Gait	Full freedom of action. The elbows hanging perpendicularly to the body and working clear of the sides in movement; both forelegs and hind legs should move straight forward when traveling, the stifles turning neither in nor out.	Both forelegs and hind legs should move straight forward when traveling, the stifles turning neither in nor out.		A well-made Kerry Blue Terrier carries himself with pride and purpose. When trotting, the gait is effortless, smooth, powerful, and well coordinated, showing good but not exaggerated reach in front and drive behind. The backline remains level with only a slight flexing to indicate suppleness. Viewed from any position, legs turn neither in nor out, nor do feet cross or interfere with each other. As speed increases, feet tend to converge toward centerline of balance. A Kerry Blue Terrier that moves like a Wire Fox Terrier is incorrect. Poor movement should be penalized to the degree to which it reduces the Kerry's ability to perform the variety of tasks it was bred to do.
Size	The ideal Kerry should be 181⁄2 inches at the withers for a dog, slightly less for a bitch. In judging Kerries, a height of 18-191⁄2 inches for a dog, and 171⁄2-19 inches for a bitch, should be given primary preference. Only where the comparative superiority of a specimen outside of the ranges noted clearly justifies it should greater latitude be taken. In no case should it extend to a dog over 20 inches or under 171⁄2 inches, or to a bitch over 191⁄2 inches or under 17 inches. The minimum limits do not apply to puppies.	18 1/2 in. (47 cm) at the withers for a dog, slightly less for a bitch. In judging Kerries, a height of 18 - 19 1/2 in. (46-50 cm) for a dog, and 17 1/2 - 19 in (44-48 cm) for a bitch should be given primary preference. Only where the comparative superiority of a specimen outside of the ranges noted clearly justifies it, should greater latitude be taken. In no case should it extend to a dog over 20 in. (51 cm) or under 17 1/2 in (44 cm), or to a bitch over 19 1/2 in. (50 cm) or under 17 in. (43 cm). The minimum limits do not apply to puppies.	Ideal height 18-19 1/2 inches (45.5 to 49.5 cm) for a dog; 17 1/2-19 inches (44.5 to 48 cm) for a bitch.	Ideal height for a mature male Kerry Blue Terrier is 1812 inches at the withers, slightly less for a bitch. The preferred range for mature males is 18 to 1912 inches, and 1712 to 19 inches for mature females. Judges may reward an otherwise superior Kerry Blue Terrier whose height is outside the preferred ranges unless it is a mature male over 20 inches or under 1712 inches, or a mature female over 1912 inches or under 17 inches. Height minimums do not apply to dogs under 12 months of age.
Weight	The most desirable weight for a fully developed dog is from 33-40 pounds, bitches weighing proportionately less. A well-developed and muscular body. Legs moderately long with plenty of bone and muscle.	Fully developed dog is from 33 - 40 lb. (15 - 18 kg), bitches weighing proportionately less.	Fully developed dog is from 33 lbs. to 40 lbs. (15 to 18 kg), and a fully developed bitch should weight proport- ionately less.

Faults or Objectionable Features

			Adopted by FCI
General Appearance				A low slung Kerry lacks breed type.
Teeth		An undershot mouth should be strictly penalized.		Undershot.
Coat			Hard, wire or bristle coat.	Harsh, wire or bristle coat.
Head			Flesh-colored gums; teeth undershot are objectionable, but when teeth are only slightly over they are not to be regarded as a blemish.
Eyes		Anything approaching a yellow eye is very undesirable	Yellow or gooseberry eyes	Large or protruding eyes; light eyes. Yellow eyes.
Ears		A "dead" ear, houndlike in appearance, is very undesirable.		Any deviation from the standard that contributes to a hound-like ear.
Legs and toes			Protruding elbows; white or bone-coloured toe nails; dew claws on hind legs, or marks of their removal.	Short upper arm.
Neck				Ewe neck.
Back			Roach back or hollow back
Front
Colour		Deviation from it to any significant extent must be severely penalized. Solid black is never permissible in the show ring.	Any colour other than blue with the exceptions stated above.	Significant deviation from correct mature coat color.
Action or Gait			Close, cow hocked, or stilted hind action.
Height				Faults: Mature male over 19 1/2 inches or under 18 inches; mature female over 19 inches or under 17 1/2 inches. Serious faults: Mature male over 20 inches or under 17 1/2 inches; mature female over 19 1/2 inches or under 17 inches.
Handling			Heads or tails are held up by exhibitors or handlers should be penalized.

Disqualifying Features

			Adopted by FCI
Colour	A black dog 18 months of age or older is to be disqualified. (White markings on a black dog 18 months of age or older does not constitute clearing or mature color and the dog is to be disqualified.)	Solid black.		Solid black. Albinism.
Legs		Dewclaws on hind legs		Rear dewclaws.
Handling		Faking or dyeing.
Testicles				Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
Temperament				Viciousness or extreme shyness.

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