The US Kerry Blue Terrier
Standard of 1926

As adopted by the Kerry Blue Terrier Club of America, July, 1926.

Note: The Kerry Blue Terrier Club of America was formed in New York City on February 9, 1925, and admitted to membership in the AKC in May, 1925. The standard described below was accepted by the AKC in September, 1926. It was revised in 1932. In February, 1936 the AKC Gazette published a new kerry club was formed as the US Kerry Blue Terrier Club. This new club had its first open meeting in NYC at the Westminster show. It was decided that the newly formed US Kerry Blue Terrier Club and the Kerry Blue Terrier Club of America would merge, and use the name The United States Kerry Blue Terrier Club. The merger as completed in 1938.

Height:

Dogs about 18" at the shoulder; bitches slightly less.

Weight:

Dogs 33 to 38 pounds; bitches 30 to 35 pounds.

Head:

Long and strong.

Skull:

Flat, very slight stop.

Jaws:

Strong and deep, nearly level with cheeks.

Mouth:

Even, strong, level teeth; roof black; teeth undershot or overshot, highly objectionable.

Nose:

Black, nostrils large and wide.

Eyes:

Dark or dark to hazel, medium sized and well placed

Neck:

Well proportioned; well set on shoulders and moderately long.

Shoulders and Front:

Shoulders fine and sloping to the body and well knit.

Chest:

To be deep and of moderate width.

Back:

Strong and straight, medium length, well coupled.

Loins:

Broad and powerful.

Ribs:

Fairly well sprung, deep rather than round.

Hindquarters:

Strong and muscular, showing good development, thighs powerful. Hocks, strong and near to the ground. Dew claws a disqualification.

Feet:

Strong and fairly round, toe-nails black. Cracked pads a possible disqualification.

Forelegs:

Straight, plenty of bone and muscle.

Tail:

Of medium length, carried gaily, but not curled over the back.

Colour:

Any shade of blue, from light to dark; slight tan or other foreign markings allowable up to the age of 18 months, after which tan and other markings, outside of black, to constitute a disqualification.

Coat:

Silky, weather resisting; the head and feet should be clear, the body well coated but tidy. The whole of the coat must be groomed to exemplify all of the definite Terrier qualifications and characteristics.

General Appearance:

Active, hardy and wiry, with plenty of substance, indicating strength without clumsiness. Must show gameness and intelligence.

Serious Defects:

Weak mouth and jaw, biirnpy cheeks, white toe-nails, light eyes.

Disqualifications:

Faking or dyeing.

The US Kerry Blue Terrier Standard of 1926