Kerry Blue Schnauzer
12-15 yrs
11-40 lbs
12-19"
Unknown

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Kerry Blue Schnauzer

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Dog Breeds
Kerry Blue Schnauzer

11-40 lbs

12-19"

Unknown

Kerry Blue Terrier

Schnauzer

Kerry Blue Mini Schnauzer, Kerry Blue Schnauzer, Kerryblushnauz, Miniature Kerry Blue Schnauzer, Sherry, Standard Kerry Blue Schnauzer, Giant Kerry Blue Schnauzer

The Kerry Blue Schnauzer is a hybrid canine resulting from the breeding of a Kerry Blue Terrier and a Schnauzer. Energetic, intelligent, and loving, this hybrid will make a wonderful addition to an active family. A canine with character, this compact hybrid is squarely built and sports a coat that is moderate to high maintenance. Don't let this stop you, though - with proper training to allow the Kerry Blue Schnauzer to understand the household rules and know that he is not the boss, he is keen to learn all he needs to know. This high energy dog will keep the entire family fit and will be happy to be included in yard work, hiking, runs and park outings.

                
                Purpose
              
Companion, protection, hunting

                Date of Origin
              
Unknown

                Ancestry
              
Kerry Blue Terrier, Schnauzer

Kerry Blue Schnauzer Health

Average Size

Height: 12-19 inches Weight: 11-40 lbs

Major Concerns

Hip Dysplasia
Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Minor Concerns

Cataracts
Cerebellar Abiotrophy
Von Willebrand's Disease
Bleeding Disorder
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca

Occasional Diagnoses

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Occasional Tests

Hip X-Rays
Physical Examination
Electrocardiogram
Eye Examinations
Complete Blood Work

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Kerry Blue Schnauzer Breed History

The Kerry Blue Schnauzer hybrid is a fairly new canine breed, resulting from the breeding of the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Schnauzer. There is no information available on the hybrid itself, but there is information available on the parent breeds. The Kerry Blue Terrier, also known as the Irish Blue Terrier, hails from Ireland and has a history which is shrouded in mystery but it is believed that it can be traced back to the late 1700's or early 1800's when this dog was bred for hunting rats, overseeing of livestock and guarding property and people. Today, he still faithful to his breeding, excelling in obedience and agility, earth dog, gun dog, retriever, herding and watch-dogging. He is accomplished in the show ring, in police and military functions as well as a faithful and protective companion and family pet. This breed is believed to be descended from several other terrier breeds: Irish Terrier, Welsh Terrier, Bedlington Terrier and the Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier. The breed was presented in the show ring in the late 19th century and its popularity has grown rapidly all over the world. The breed was first shown in America in 1922 when he appeared in the Westminster Kennel Club's dog show at Madison Square Garden. This breed is recognized by The Kennel Club (England), the Irish Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club, Kerry Blue Terrier Club of America and the United States Kerry Blue Terrier Club. The Schnauzer hails from Germany and is believed to have been traced back to the 1400's, being bred to be a working and hunting breed, specializing in the killing of rats and other vermin, guarding property and people, herding of sheep and cattle and protection for the trips to market. The breed came to North America in the very early 1900's but didn't get much recognition until after World War I. It was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1904. Today, the Schnauzer is described as being affectionate and spirited and is often quite the clown in his family setting. Not only does he excel in obedience and agility areas, but also in areas of conformation, search and rescue, therapy and drug and bomb sniffers for law enforcement and military agencies. The Kerry Blue Schnauzer hybrid itself is recognized by: American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Breed Registry, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America and the International Designer Canine Registry.

Kerry Blue Schnauzer Breed Appearance

Since the Kerry Blue Schnauzer is a newer hybrid, there isn't much information available on the hybrid itself. Being a hybrid mix of the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Schnauzer, it can take on the appearance characteristics and traits of either or both of its parent breeds. Since the Schnauzer parent breed comes in multiple sizes (miniature, standard and giant), your hybrid's height can range from 12 to 19 inches (heights for the miniature and the standard versions) and weight range from 11 pounds to 40 pounds (based on miniature and standard versions), being dependent upon the size of the Schnauzer breed parent. As such, your hybrid will likely be a medium-sized canine with a muscular and sturdy body, sometimes described as squarely built, with a coat that could be medium or thick, wavy and blue-grey in color (from the Kerry Blue parent) or wiry (perhaps with the distinctive Schnauzer beard) and either black, black and silver or salt and pepper coloring. Both parent breeds contribute distinctive bushy eyebrows, small dark eyes and facial expressions of keenness or even grouchiness at times. The Kerry Blue's long, well balanced head or the Schnauzer's rectangular one both will likely sport a strong muzzle, which may be blunt, with a large black nose with large nostrils. Your hybrid will likely have V-shaped ears that are set high on the forehead. The jaw is strong, the teeth will be also be strong and the bite will be scissors or possibly slightly overbite. The tail is set high, carried erect and of moderate length, though docking of the tail may also be found. Your hybrid's feet will likely be small, compact and round with arched toes.

Eye Color Possibilities

Brown

Nose Color Possibilities

Black

Coat Color Possibilities

Blue

Black

Silver

Coat Length

Short Medium Long

Coat Density

Sparse Normal Dense

Coat Texture

Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Kerry Blue Schnauzer Breed Maintenance

Your Kerry Blue Schnauzer hybrid is the product of mixing the Kerry Blue Terrier with the Schnauzer and, as such, can inherit the coat of either or both parent breeds. This hybrid will likely require moderate to high maintenance to keep the coat looking clean and healthy. This will mean that he will need daily brushing with a stiff bristled brush and regular bathing every 4 to 6 weeks. Your Kerry Blue Schnauzer hybrid inherits a minimal shedding trait from both parent breeds as well as a hypoallergenic component, making it a great family addition for those families having members with breathing difficulties, allergies and asthma. His teeth and ears should be checked and cleaned regularly to avoid ear infections and periodontal infections, which are known to cause tooth loss over time. Addressing these areas on a weekly basis should keep him healthy. Regular home evaluations of the eyes and the areas around the eyes, cleaning when needed, will also help to keep your hybrid healthy and great looking!

Brushes for Kerry Blue Schnauzer

Comb

Scissors

Clipper

Nail Clipper

Brushing Frequency

Daily Weekly Monthly

Kerry Blue Schnauzer Temperament

Your Kerry Blue Schnauzer hybrid is a mix of the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Schnauzer and can inherit any or all of the temperament and personality traits of either or both parent breeds. The parent breeds of your hybrid share many temperament traits: alertness, friendliness, intelligence, playfulness affection, gentleness, aggression, loyalty, protectiveness, independence and liveliness. He will be great with kids but, because he has strong hunting instincts, may not be as friendly with the family cat. Early socialization with small children, older kids and small animals will help to modify this trait. They are great watchdogs so expect them to be wary and suspicious of strangers. To avoid inappropriate episodes of aggression with strangers, be sure to socialize them as early in life as possible. Also, the Kerry Blue parent contributes a great deal of rambunctiousness, whereas the Schnauzer is a bit more laid back in his energy levels. It is the rambunctiousness of the Kerry Blue that will cause you to be more watchful when your toddler is playing with him, as your toddler may get injured in normal, non-aggressive play. Both parent breeds contribute loyalty and affection toward their human family and they don't necessarily bond with just one or two family members, but instead will be affectionate and loving with everyone.

Kerry Blue Schnauzer Activity Requirements

The activity level of your Kerry Blue Schnauzer hybrid is moderate to high -- this means that if you're not interested in several long and brisk walks per day, this may not be the breed that's best for you. He will need brisk walks, jogging or playing and romping in the yard to keep your hybrid physically fit. He is an intelligent canine who can be quite destructive if not also kept mentally active as well. Obedience and agility training helps in this area. Keeping your hybrid mentally challenged will also help to modify those canines hybrids who inherit the "high-strung" tendencies that can be contributed by the Schnauzer breed parent. The ability to train contributed by both parent breeds falls into the challenging to difficult category. The training issues have nothing to do with the ability of the animal to be trained but instead have everything to do with the high intelligence levels of the canines. These two parent breeds have a quality to read people and their surroundings and use that information to manipulate people and things as they desire. This trait becomes a HUGE stumbling block when training your Kerry Blue Schnauzer hybrid but it can be overcome. Firm consistency combined with positive reinforcement and encourage and yummy snacks will help to establish who's in charge. Once this hurdle is overcome, training will become easier.

Activity Level

                  Low
                  Medium
                  High
                
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
7 miles

Minutes of Activity Per Day
60 minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Kerry Blue Schnauzer

Similarly Sized Breeds to Kerry Blue Schnauzer

Kerry Blue Schnauzer Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
2.5 cups
Daily Cost
$1.20 - $1.40
Monthly Cost
$34.00 - $45.00

Kerry Blue Schnauzer Height & Weight

6 Months

                  Height: 7.0 inches
                  Weight: 11.0 lbs
                
                  Height: 7.0 inches
                  Weight: 11.0 lbs
                
12 Months

                  Height: 15.5 inches
                  Weight: 18.0 lbs
                
                  Height: 15.5 inches
                  Weight: 18.0 lbs
                
18 Months

                  Height: 15.5 inches
                  Weight: 26.0 lbs
                
                  Height: 15.5 inches
                  Weight: 26.0 lbs

Written by a Yorkshire Terrier lover Vicki Fassler

Published: 10/20/2017, edited: 02/24/2021

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