Breed History
Though only known outside Ireland since the 20th century, the Kerry Blue Terrier is believed to have originated around the Ring of Kerry during the 18th century....
In its native Kerry, the dog was used to retrieve on land and water, hunt pests as well as larger prey, and herd sheep and cattle.Like the Glen of Imaal Terrier, the Kerry Blue Terrier managed to escape the notice of just about everyone outside of its small little corner of the world for a very long time. During the early 20th century, the breed was exported to England and America, where it was recognized by the American Kennel Club in1924. The original Kerry Blues were not much to look at, but as grooming became more prevalent the breed caught on with dog fanciers, who were intrigued by its distinctive blue coat. Recently, the Kerry Blue Terrier has had some success as a police and trailing dog, but it remains an unpopular pet.