Kerry Blue Terrier, also known as Irish Terrier, originated in County Kerry, Ireland in the 19th century. It is beloved by Irish people and is the national dog of Ireland. Its typical characteristic is its blue fur.
Kerry Blue Terrier possesses versatile abilities, especially in tracking and retrieving prey instinctively, making it suitable for various forms of work. It is also easy to train, with a spirit of perseverance and determination that is difficult for other guard dogs to surpass.
In English history, Kerry Blue Terriers have served as police dogs. With proper care, management, specialized food, and designated training, their lifespan can be long, and they can remain in service even in their old age. In fact, Kerry Blue Terriers between the ages of 6 and 8 are still considered young dogs.
Gentle, loyal, and energetic, Kerry Blue Terriers also have a stubborn side. They are highly intelligent. However, if they feel that your love for them is no longer as devoted, they may occasionally display some "moods". They have a strong sense of alertness and are highly cautious of strangers and other animals. Occasionally, they may attack animals that enter their territory without permission.
Due to their nature, Kerry Blue Terriers enjoy digging. The slightest underground noise or any strange smell can arouse their strong curiosity, prompting them to dig vigorously in search of something.
Kerry Blue Terrier originated in County Kerry, Ireland in the 19th century, and got its name from the first attention it received in the Kerry Blue mountains. Its typical blue fur attracted the attention of countless people, and its exact ancestors are still unknown, with many legends surrounding them. In the 18th century, the ancestors of Kerry Blue Terrier were primarily used in Ireland for capturing prey and various birds, retrieving prey caught in water or in the wild, and herding cattle and sheep. Later, its ancestors were crossed with the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and Bedlington Terrier breeds, introducing their bloodlines into the Kerry Blue Terrier breed. After World War I, the Kerry Blue Terrier breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club and the AKC.
Another theory suggests that the descendants of the Spanish dog breed that drifted to the coast of Ireland after the sinking of the Spanish Armada in 1588 also contributed to the development of the Kerry Blue Terrier. However, some people believe that the breed originated from a large-sized Irish wolfhound bloodline. It is generally believed to be a descendant of a cross between Welsh Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
The Kerry Blue Terrier had its first significant appearance in 1922 at Westminster.
The Kerry Blue Terrier has the unique temperament of terriers. It has a gentle and lively personality, loyal to its owner, and can be mischievous at times. It is highly alert. The dog is very clean and should be groomed regularly. It relies heavily on its owner and is hostile towards other dogs entering its territory, so it is not suitable to be raised with other animals.
In fact, under its tough appearance, the Kerry Blue Terrier hides a gentle heart. If properly trained from a young age, it can be the best playmate and guardian for children.
Interdigital Dermatitis
Symptoms: The dog licks its toes frequently, and the interdigital area becomes red and moist. Severe cases may cause lameness.
Preparation: Iodine, erythromycin ointment, Elizabethan collar
Method of use: Wear Elizabethan collar, remove the hair from the foot, wash with soapy water or wipe with iodine. After the inflammatory area is dry, apply erythromycin ointment between the toes once a day, repeat for one week.
Ear mites
Symptoms: The dog scratches its ears, shakes its head, and the ears have a strong sour odor. Tear stains increase, the ears lose hair, and there is dark brown secretion and earwax.
Preparation: Ear cleaning solution
Method of use: Clean the hair inside the dog's ears, flush the ear canal with ear cleaning solution, gently massage the base of the ear for 30 seconds, wait for the dog to shake out the solution, use a cotton ball to wipe away the discharged secretion, and gently clean the earflap and ear canal.
Skin disease
Symptoms: The dog feels itchy, the skin becomes red and itchy, the dog scratches randomly, the fur becomes dull and rough, there are more dandruff, and even patches of hair loss.
Preparation: Saline, topical ointment or spray, vitamin B
Method of use: Put the Elizabethan collar on the dog to prevent scratching and licking. Trim the problematic skin and surrounding hair on the dog, then rinse with saline to kill bacteria. Apply ointment or use the spray, and use antibiotics and vitamin B together.
Puppy Feeding Precautions:
1. Do not let the puppy eat chicken bones, ribs or fish bones. These bones are too small and can easily scratch the dog's intestines and stomach, which is extremely dangerous and should not be fed.
2. Do not let the puppy eat leftover vegetables and rice at home. Because the nutritional needs of dogs are different from those of humans, if you use human recipes to prepare dog food, it not only takes time and energy, but also the dog cannot obtain complete and balanced nutrition. Therefore, it is recommended to feed mainly dog food. After all, it is formulated by scientific methods, not only delicious and nutritionally comprehensive, but also convenient and easy to digest and absorb.
3. Do not give the puppy snacks before each meal. If it disobeys during training, you can give it a small amount of snacks to encourage it.
Elderly Feeding Precautions:
As Kerry Blue Terriers enter their old age, their digestive ability decreases and their sense of smell also becomes dull, so they may be more picky about food. At this time, when preparing dog food, the owner should pay attention to the balance of taste and nutrition, and must not indulge the dog just because it is picky.
It is very necessary to consume rich nutrition, especially protein and calcium. You can appropriately increase some meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, etc. in the menu, and pay attention to the supplementation of vitamin A and calcium. The ingredients of salt, fat, and bones in food should not be excessive. Adopting a small and frequent feeding system can reduce the gastrointestinal burden of elderly dogs and ensure sufficient absorption of nutrients. Of course, don't forget to provide clean drinking water for them at any time.
Regularly taking the elderly dog to the veterinarian for physical examination is also essential. The veterinarian will provide reasonable suggestions for the dog's diet and develop more reasonable feeding methods based on the dog's physical condition.
1. You can choose senior formula dog food, which is not only convenient, but also ensures sufficient and balanced nutrition.
2. Pay attention to the dog's weight, and reduce the feeding amount appropriately if necessary to control normal weight.
3. Poor dental health is not conducive to the absorption of nutrients and can also reduce the dog's oral antibacterial resistance, making it easier for bacteria to invade. The dog should be brushed regularly or given dental care products and rope toys.
4. Elderly dogs often experience constipation. If they haven't had a bowel movement for three or four days, they should be taken to an animal hospital for examination and appropriate supplementation of vegetables.
1. Cannot bathe frequently
When bathing a dog, it should not be too frequent. The frequency of bathing a dog depends on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, it can be bathed one or two more times, while in winter, it can be reduced one or two times. However, the total should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Regular grooming
Dogs shed almost every day, especially in spring and autumn when seasonal shedding is more severe. Regular grooming is an important step to promote good fur growth. Pet owners can use dedicated pet brushes to help dogs remove naturally shed hair and avoid tangling. Grooming once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is sufficient.
3. Sunbathing
Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of a dog's fur. Besides making the fur more lustrous, letting dogs sunbathe can also help with sterilization. While sunbathing, pet owners can let the dogs exercise a bit to improve their physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.
4. Parasite control
Poor fur condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from dogs, depriving them of nutrition. Therefore, parasite control is essential. It is recommended to do internal and external parasite control together. Additionally, anti-parasitic drugs can cause significant damage to a dog's digestive system, so it is advisable to feed them with probiotics regularly to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order to have shiny fur, it is necessary to establish a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to daily diet. On one hand, feed dogs with nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a suitable dog food that is both nutritious and adequate to meet the dog's needs. On the other hand, you can also feed dogs with lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil in appropriate amounts.
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