kerry blue terrier Q&A with connie clArk, julie felten, Anne kAtonA, dAvid kirklAnd & gigi reiling
CC: We are losing proper coat texture with grooming styles that tend to remove the waviness of the coat. JF: The tendency to breed and show dogs with incorrect fronts (i.e. short upper arm, lacking forechest) and exhibitors racing them around the ring thinking speed will cover up the obvious. AK: Body length and short legs are becoming exaggerated. The standard states, “Well-knit refers to the length of loin and ribcage making the back (topline)… Legs moderately long with plenty of bone and muscle.” However, most judges look at this combo and wonder, ‘Is the body too long or are the legs too short?’ In today’s show ring, one could see both! DK: I don’t know about exaggerated; however, there are a few things that have changed from the past. First, heads are often shorter and blockier rather than clean with length. Second, presentation is different. They are shown with coats trimmed much tighter to the skin rather than with enough coat to be considered dense and plentiful (I see this tight trimming in Wheatens, also). Finally, size can sometimes be an issue deviating towards too large. GR: Exaggerated traits keep changing; however, narrow fronts and high kicking rears are not good. 4. Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are better now than they were when you first started judging? Why or why not? CC: Overall, the quality is consistent. As with many breeds, the quality depends on which part of the country you are in. In addition to the successful breeders here in the US, we’ve seen beautiful exhibits imported from the UK, Wales and Ireland that have also contributed to the breed’s success. “Mick” is a perfect example! JF: I think there are breed greats in many breeds that stand out in people’s minds. However, this is not an indicator of the depth of quality in general now or then. For the most part I feel breeders are doing a fine job keeping the Kerry Blue Terrier close to the blueprint. AK: I hate to answer this question, and please remember my remarks are my own opinions, but here goes. No, I do not think the breed is as good today as in 1980, or 1990 or 2000 to today. Yes, there have been a few really superior specimens. Unfortunately, none have produced as good as themselves, and certainly not better. That has been detrimental to the breed! All breeders have been striving to do the best possible with what they have to work around. Every once in a while, there will be a superior specimen and I keep my fingers crossed he will reproduce as good or better. However, there are several very good representatives of the breed (both dogs and bitches) in the show ring today! May the breeders be blessed by the Irish angels! DK: Entries in this breed are not near as large as in the past. There have been some nice ones over the years, but the best Kerry I ever judged was the famous “Mick”. He is my template of perfection in this breed.
GR: No, what I see today reminds me of dogs from the past and that shows consistency.
5. What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed? CC: In the few instances I observed, there was misunderstanding the proper coat, movement and a low-slung Kerry. JF: I don’t think it’s really a misunderstanding about the breed, but more so we all have our own opinions and understanding about breed specific priorities. AK: New judges misunderstand mainly the Kerry Blue’s coat. Please be aware that curly is not correct! Cottony is not correct! Wiry or bristly is not correct! The coat should be soft, dense and wavy (Marcel waves) and molded to the body like a well-fitting garment! The coat should sparkle and shine in the sun. Do remember the Kerry coat should be so dense it should shed water. In addition, I am quoting from a breeder/mentor from the 1970s, but this still factors into judging this breed today. “The Kerry is a powerful dog and must be controlled. Too quiet and well trained is not typical; too sensitive is not tough enough; too conforming is lacking in vitality and energy. The Kerry stands its ground, alert and ready but does NOT jump first. Once jumped though, it defends itself to the end!” This is important to know—the true Kerry Blue Terrier does not jump first. DK: Terrier entries are often quite low so I would imagine it must be very difficult for students without a solid Terrier background to truly understand breed type. I would not advocate that anyone apply to judge Terriers without experiencing them at either Great Western and/or Mont- gomery County. These two shows are most likely to have the numbers and the quality. GR: New judges must try to familiarize themselves with the phases of maturity, coat texture and color changes and muscle development. 6. Is there anything else you’d like to share about the breed? CC: I feel the breed is in good shape overall—hats off to the dedication of the breeders! JF: The Kerry is an aristocrat in the show ring. However, when the Resco ® is removed, he makes a wonderful companion and is totally dedicated to his master, always looking forward to his next adventure. AK: I love judging, I love the dogs, the exhibitors and I com- pletely enjoy helping a newbie! I was mostly a breeder/ owner/handler and if I do not share what I have learned over the years, then shame on me. GR: They change and mature at different rates. I like to see them shown at all stages. In my experience, males are slower than females to mentally mature to a show attitude. It depends on how they are raised. Most are going to be pets longer than they are show dogs or brood bitches and that is a lifestyle they need to experience as they mature.
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