The Kerry Blue from a Judge's Perspective

Kerry Blue Terrier Feature | Seymour N. Weiss The Kerry Blue From a Judge’s Perspective Similar to, but just different enough from, the other long-legged terriers is a handy verbal yardstick for judges of Ireland’s most elegant terrier. Features seen in many other terriers are present in the Kerry Blue — the rectangular head, the button ears, the small, dark eyes, the level topline, and the docked tail set on right at the corner of the dog. Ah, but there are also several im- The Kerry is meant to be a medi- specimens every time they put on portant differences to be aware of um-sized terrier; it can certainly go a badge. when considering the Kerry. With- to ground but is far more versatile. out these features I call the Compo- Standing midway in size between Coat — The standard describes the nents of Type, a Kerry must be con- the Airedale and the Wire Fox, the Kerry Blue’s coat as soft, dense and sidered lacking in the true essence Kerry walks a fine line in the matter wavy. These are but few words to of the breed. of identifying hallmarks. Too large describe a feature of such surpass- and a Kerry can become coarse; ing beauty and individuality in the What are these features that they too small and the dog is overly re- breed. This is a single coat; there are so essential to the makeup fined. is no undercoat and the coat is of the breed? Basically, there are trimmed with scissors and clippers. four key features making the Kerry Remember, this was originally a So here you have a distinct depar- what it is, and this is how I believe farm dog, a dog of all work. The ture from the coats of most other judges should respond to them: Irish farmer could ill afford to keep terriers. Judges should make sure a guard dog for guarding, a herding to feel the coat under their hands Size — Every judge should famil- dog for herding, and a terrier for and between their fingers. They iarize him or herself with the up- ridding the home place of vermin. should also recall that the correct per and lower height and weight More than a century ago, the silver- coat of a fully mature specimen is parameters given in the standard. haired terriers of the south showed going to feel different from the coat Judges should fix correct size in how capable they were at doing of a younger animal. Repeated trim- their eye. Too much, rather than everything expected of an Irish ming will increase a coat’s density not enough, is a serious issue at the farm dog. Correct size took on par- without making it faulty. There is a present time. While a height dis- ticular importance because, while difference. qualification does not exist, many a dog had to be large enough and times we see Kerries whose height strong enough to work, it could not Color — The color is in the name patently exceeds the 20 inches the be so large as to constitute a strain and, accordingly a Kerry Blue must standard tells us precludes a dog on a household’s resources. So, size be blue! While all Kerries are born from winning a prize. It doesn’t is more than a mere caprice. There black and clear over time to their stop some dogs from winning is a real reason that the Kerry proper mature color, solid black is those prizes, and it surely does not evolved as a medium-sized terrier. never acceptable in the show ring stop some judges from awarding Judges should remember it, honor and is, in fact, a disqualification. them with impunity. Pity. it and seek correct, medium-sized The standard allows a dog until 18 20 JustTerriers 21 www.justterriers.com 4.2_JT2.indd 21 4/1/05 10:23:39 AM months to “clear,” with any ques- member this shading of difference are a continuation of the shoul- tion in dogs less than 18 months to and evaluate the dogs accordingly. ders, and terminating in strong, be resolved in the favor of the dog. compact feet. And the legs should The parameters of allowable color In competition, Kerries should be be of sufficient length to preclude range from midnight blue to silver. gaited at a brisk walk. A run or a any suggestion of cloddiness. In Often, a dog’s color will not have lope is wrong in that it does not the opening paragraph, the Kerry cleared by age 18 months, and demonstrate correct movement standard specifically tells us that a many are led into the ring by im- to advantage. Of course, if one of low-slung Kerry is not typical. Ac- patient owners, eager to show the dogs we are observing is not cordingly, such specimens should them off. Most times they will bow blessed with correct movement, be heavily penalized as they rep- to dogs on the strength of their the clever handler may be able to resent a significant departure from color. Kerries go from the black of cover gait faults by moving a dog breed type. the whelping box through several too fast. The gait should be fluid and stages of color, ranging from rust powerful, demonstrating no wast- As the hands-on examination con- to gray to their final blue. It can be ed motion. That first walk around tinues, the judge must follow the trying to keep a dog clearing color the ring will alert the judge as to dictates of the standard in all re- under wraps, but the wise owner the best movers and the worst. spects regarding the body, hind- will do so. As a judge must judge Many truths are unearthed in the quarters, tail and tail-set, tuck up dogs on the day, it can be vexing individual examination. The first is and all the rest of it. Coat and color to determine the correct course. In- temperament. A Kerry is a friendly have already been discussed, but it cidentally, when a judge has some dog and should be at perfect ease is worth mentioning that these fea- question about a dog’s color in rela- at the approach of the judge. Any tures are unique in the Kerry and tion to its age, the age is determined time a Kerry shows any tendency should be rewarded when encoun- by asking the steward to check the toward shyness, fearfulness or tered. date of birth in the catalog. Under hostility, its temperament must no circumstances should the judge be faulted. The hands confirm the The unforgettable Edwin “Pop” request this information from the visual impression. In determin- Sayres, a formidable Kerry handler exhibitor. ing head qualities, this is the time during the first half of the 20th cen- to check for breadth and depth of tury is said to have observed, “Give With the foregoing as a backskull and correct ear placement me a Kerry with a good head and ground, let’s get some Kerries in and thickness. This is when I like a good coat and I will carve you a the ring and do some judging. This to compare length of backskull to great one.” It remains just as true imaginary class will be open dogs; foreface; both should be approxi- today that much can be done by a what is the first thing we notice mately equal. The cleanness of talented scissor hand, but the judge about the dogs? They should all be the top of topskull and the sides should be equal to all manner of brimming with supreme self-confi- of head should be smooth, with no trimming enhancement. That’s dence. Up on their toes every one prominences in the jawbones. Very why the hands-on is so important. and keenly aware of everything go- important is to determine size, With the Kerry’s long, heavily bar- ing on around them. These dogs’ placement, shape and color of eyes. bered coat, what you see is not al- ears are alert for any sound. Often a judge will be surprised by ways what you get. You need to see large, light, round eyes, not appar- it with your hands and your eyes. In observing a Kerry’s ear place- ent during group side gaiting. ment, judges should remember Touching on the hands-on evalua- that the ears are to break slightly It only takes a couple of seconds tion, judges less familiar with the above the level of the skull. The to determine the presence or lack breed must understand that Ker- manner in which a Kerry’s ears of excess skin at the throat. It mer- ries are excellent people dogs. break is almost always affected by its a mention only in that it takes Questions like a timorous “Is he al- human manipulation. High-break- away from the overall elegance right?” tells the exhibitor that the ing ears, typical of a Wire Fox Ter- of the dog. Leaving the head, one breed intimidates the judge. Go rier, are indisputably attractive, but moves the hands down the neck, ahead judges, get your hands on all wrong for a Kerry. Sadly this which should be long and elegant, those dogs; you’ll enjoy the experi- breach has gotten too many dogs rising cleanly from flat, long, well- ence. into too many winners’ circles for laid shoulder blades. Standing at a very long time. Judges should re- the front of the dog, the forelegs Before continuing, we need to touch 22 23 4.2_JT2.indd 22 4/1/05 10:23:39 AM on the second disqualification in the middle of the ring for a spar.

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