Kerry Blue Terrier vs Beagle-Harrier - Breed Comparison

The Kerry Blue Terrier hails from Ireland, with the name of the dog coming from a place known as County Kerry, and Blue being the color of the dog's coat.

The Kerry Blue was originally bred to control rats, rabbits and otters and was actually a working dog for a host of different jobs.

It was in 1922 that the United States Kerry Blue Terrier Club was founded and recognized by the AKC in 1924.

The Beagle Harrier, the breed that was made mixing the France Scent Hounds and a Beagle. It is not quite sure if this breed was made on purpose or the mix of the breeds happened and resulted in a great dog so the breeding continued. Since they are not large dogs as hounds, they are used to hunt small animals.

This first breeding took place in England, but after the 14th century, they were breed on purpose in France.

The Kerry Blue is a small dog standing at between 44 to 51cm and weighing anything between 15 and 18kg. He has dark eyes which give him that typical alert Terrier expression.

The ears are small and are carried up before flopping down. The high-set tail has always been customarily docked, giving him a compact, jaunty appearance but these days, the tail tends to be left long, curling somewhat over the back.

He has a coat which is quite wavy or curly and comes in different shades of grey or blue, while the puppies are born black, gradually becoming more blue. The dog is considered to be hypoallergenic as it doesn't shed a lot.

Temperament:

Kerry Blue Terriers are strong willed dogs, but with training and socialization they respond well to instructions such as sit, come, lie-down and stay. As a Terrier breed he is feisty, lively, strong-willed, stubborn, independent and impulsive. They are loyal and affectionate towards their owners and are amicable with children and pets in the home.

Training and socialization develops a balanced attitude around his human family, other animals in the home and around strangers. He is an active dog too so whether he lives in the city or the countryside, he will require a lot of exercise as he is full of life.

You can’t just put him in the backyard and forget about him. He is an intelligent, social dog who will only do well when he is counted in as a family member.

The Beagle Harrier is a scent hound that is described as a big sized Beagle or a small sized Harrier. This breed was developed from this two breeds, actually. Despite the looks of these breeds, the Beagle Harrier is an energetic kind of dog who gets very attached to his family. This medium sized pet comes in variations of colours and they are usually tricoloured. They usually have dark coloured eyes, white paws, and They usually grow up to have a very muscular body, but, if you don’t provide them with the daily activity they need, they will quickly get obese and unhappy.

When you bring a Kerry Blue Terrier into your home and your life, you’re going to have a jaunty, lively, comical pet in your home, as he certainly has the reputation of making people laugh.

He is such an intelligent dog too and has no difficulty with learning new tricks. He takes his role of watchdog seriously too, as he loves his human family and wants to be looking out for them.

When you bring a Kerry Blue Terrier into your home, you can be assured of jolly good fun from a true canine companion.

Children friendliness

The Beagle Harrier, if trained properly and socialized while he was still a pup, will be the great playmate for any child. They get along with strangers, as well. We might say that they will get along with anybody who is ready to run and play with him. Children are most likely that kind of playdate, so it appears that they like children more. The Beagle Harrier is a great family pet, and he is great with babies, toddlers, teenagers… so don’t be afraid to leave the dog alone during the playdate!

Special talents

hunting, scent tracking, search dog

Adaptability

Some will say that the Beagle Harrier is one of the most desirable pets because of his loving and lively nature. They get along with almost anyone and they don’t mind living indoors if you have the time to take him out for a daily run each day. They will do great in a large group of people and any public places so you can take your Beagle Harrier with you anywhere you go.

Learning ability

Since the Beagle Harrier is placed in a group of the hound dogs, you must be aware that he will have the attitude of the pack leader. Once you got the Beagle Harrier puppy, you must start training and socializing him in order to grow the pet that will be easy to handle and accepted by the family and all the people around you, even strangers. They are very intelligent and they have a calm nature so they will be quite easy to train.

You aren’t going to be running to the vet often with your Kerry Blue as he is a healthy dog breed. However there are some common dog diseases that even the most healthiest of dogs can succumb to.

Always feed your dog the very best food there is so that he has a strong immune system that can fight off disease.

Entropion:

This is the inward rolling of the eyelid which can irritate the dog’s eye and even cause vision loss. Surgery can treat the problem.

Cancer:

Every dog can succumb to cancer. You may well find a lump or even detect a sore that won’t heal. Treatments for cancer can include medicines, chemotherapy and surgery.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is an inherited condition to do with the hip joint. It can result in pain for your dog and even lameness. When you discover your pet no longer wants to play and he battles to get up after lying down, he will need to go to the vet. Dogs with this debilitating disease should never be bred.

Dysplasia

Almost every active dog suffers from joint diseases. Even though it’s generally a genetic disease, you can lower the chances of hip or elbow dysplasia by taking care of your dog’s weight, diet and daily exercise.

Ear infections

The Beagle Harrier has big ears that are always set down. That makes them ideal for the dirt accumulation, ear irritations and ear infections. Check his ears regularly and clean them at least once a week.

Grooming:

The Kerry Blue’s coat doesn’t shed a lot but it’s a curly coat that will require brushing at least twice a week. He will also require clipping and trimming if you want to keep the coat manageable.

Diet:

Nutrition is a key part of a healthy Kerry Blue Terrier and instead of just plonking down a bowl of dry kibble every day, make his mealtimes something to look forward to, more sustaining and more interesting.

Top quality kibble is good every now and then but try mixing in some cooked chicken, brown rice, pasta and vegetables occasionally as well as a little bit of raw meat. You will be rewarded with bright eyes, a wet nose, bushy, wagging tail and less trips to the vet.

Make sure there is always a supply of fresh, cool water for him.

Exercise:

Active and lively, your Kerry Blue will need lots of robust exercise – a daily walk as well as ball games which ensure his muscles are kept strong and toned. Not only that, this exercise is important for keeping him fit and also mentally alert.

Diet tips

Since the Beagle Harrier is an active dog breed, they will need food for the active dogs. Make sure you provide them with quality food that will give them enough strength to get through the very active day, and not gain too much of the weight. It is very important that you don’t overfeed him because this breed quickly becomes obese. It is advisable to use treats while you train him to do new tricks, but be very careful with the amount you give to the dog.

Puppies need to be fed only two times a day. Once you decide which brand of food you will use, stick with them until the dog is 6 months old. Make sure they have enough nutrients and the quality ingredients that will help them with growing strong and healthy bones.

Points for Good Health

If you want Beagle Harrier to grow up in a happy and healthy dog, make sure you provide him with quality food, lots of exercises and unconditional love. They are extremely loving and they get depressed if left alone. Grooming tips are very clear – they need a regular brush because shed a lot. The more you brush, the less hair you will find on your hands during the belly rubs.

Games and Exercises

If your Beagle Harrier is trained and socialized, the dog park will be the best daily activity for him. If there is no dog park near your house, take him to the bike ride, jogging, swimming, hiking, markets, parks… They love to be off the leash and with people but since they are the hound dogs, don’t be surprised if they get distracted by smelling something more interesting than the ball. They would love to grow up in a house with a large yard, but, if you live in the apartment, make sure that you take time for his daily activity.