Dogs: Their History and Development
by Edward C. Ash
Excerpts from a 1925 British book describing most breeds of the time.
KERRY BLUE
The Kerry blue terrier, another of the "varmint-killing"
varieties, is a well-built, broad headed dog, at present uneven,
but rapidly showing improvement.
To-day cumbersome, over-large dogs are seen, and others with bad coats. At one time light eyes were prevalent, but are now seldom met with. The coat in puppies is often tinged with brown; the brown disappears when the dog is mature.
The history of the breed is the selection from the numerous Irish terriers to be met with there (Ireland), of the best specimens, and the gradual building up of a variety by selection. Blue-colored "Irish terriers" were mentioned by D.J. Gray in 1887.
Lord Kenmare, writing in the "Dog World" (06 Feb
1925) states that "it is admitted that the Kerry blue terrier
existed in the Kingdom of Kerry years beyond the recollection
of the oldest inhabitants," and that the terriers he
used when a boy were of the Kerry variety, but chosen more for
their "varminting properties" than for their make and
shape.
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The picture on the right is not from Mr. Ash's book, but is a good representation of early Kerries. The Kerries shown are Ch. Seumas Creina and Ch. Kenmare Peggy, who were owned by Mrs. William Randolph Hearst. CH. Kenmare Peggy,
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