CHARACTERISTICS: Disciplined gameness. The Kerry Blue Terrier is a compact, powerful Terrier, showing gracefulness and an attitude of alert determination, with definite Terrier style and character throughout.
GENERAL APPEARANCE: The typical Kerry Blue Terrier should be upstanding, well-knit and well proportioned, showing a well-developed and muscular body.
Head and Skull: Well balanced, long, proportionately lean, with slight stop and flat over the skull. Foreface and jaw very strong, deep and punishing; nose black; nostrils of due proportion.
Eyes: Dark as possible. Small to medium with keen Terrier expression.
Ears: Small to medium and V-shaped, carried forward but not as high as in some Terrier breeds.
Mouth: Teeth level with upper teeth just closing over the lower; dark gums and
Neck: Strong and reachy, running into sloping shoulders.
Forequarters: Shoulders flat as possible with elbows carried close to the body while the dog is standing or in action. Legs straight, bone powerful. Front straight, neither too wide nor too narrow.
Body: Short coupled with good depth of brisket and well sprung ribs. Chest to be deep. Topline level.
Hindquarters: Large and well developed, stifle bent and hocks close to the ground giving perfect freedom of hind action.
Feet: Round and small. Toe-nails black.
Tail: Set on high to complete a perfectly straight back and carried erect.
Coat: Soft and silky, plentiful and wavy
Colour: Any shade of blue, with or without black points. A shade of tan is permissible in puppies, as is also a dark colour up to the age of 18 months. A small white patch on chest should not be penalised.
Weight and Size: The most desirable weight for a fully-developed dog is from 14.9 to 16.7 kg (33 to 37 lb), and bitches should weigh proportionately less, but 15.8 kg (35 lb) is the most desirable weight to aim for. Ideal height: dogs 45.7-48.2 cm (18-19 in) at shoulder; bitches slightly less.
Faults: Hard or woolly coat. Solid black after 18 months. In excess of 48.2 cm (19 in) in height. Bumpy cheek bones, teeth undershot or very overshot. Rose ears. snipy foreface. Light-coloured or full eyes. Roach or hollowback. Close, stilted or cow-hocked hind action.
Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.