Are Kerry Blue Terriers Mean?

by Louise Lang

While at the recent Kerry Specialty in Trenton, New Jersey, I overheard two women discussing the Terriers rings. They singled out the Kerry Blue Terriers as being the worst, describing them as "mean" because they were "fighting in the ring." Judges and exhibitors consider this to be 'sparring'.

Some judges use sparring to determine his/ her winner. Granted, there is no more beautiful sight than a Terrier (especially a Kerry) up on its toes, ears erect, tail held high, neck arched, and ready to take on the world - a competent judge is looking for this attitude. Some handlers play fairly and keep an appropriate distance between the dogs. Bringing the dogs face to face so that they look with interest at one another is fine, but it is not a good idea to have the general public see the Kerries rearing up, lunging and growling at one another in a threatening manner.

For some laid-back Kerries, sparring is a learned behaviour taught for the show ring. Most Kerries that spar in the ring probably do the same with all dogs - they can't differentiate being inside the ring and growling and being outside the ring and growling. Being allowed (and possibly encouraged) to growl only encourages the Kerry Blue Terrier to act dog aggressive and perpetuates the belief that ALL Kerries are dog aggressive.

Another reason for sparring could be to titillate those Kerry people sitting at ring side, providing added entertainment and excitement. During the Best of Breed competition, as two males were brought together, a Kerry spectator said gleefully: "This ought to be fun!" When asked for an explanation, I was told that these two males hated each other and could hardly wait to get at each other. Sure enough, after a few seconds, they lunged. Is this your idea of fun? It's sure not mine!

Does the average pet dog owner watching this happen think it is all done for the sport of showing dogs? If we want to perpetuate the belief among the general population that Kerries are "mean," we appear to be doing a first-class job! Let's get judges to eliminate sparring and encourage breeders to give a greater emphasis on socializing their Kerries.

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