Not a toy, but a brave hunter: characteristics of the Yorkshire Terrier breed, photos, pros and cons, recommendations for keeping

These cute dogs are often called sofa dogs. And their hairstyles - funny ponytails tied at the top of their heads - cannot but evoke affection. But contrary to popular belief, the Yorkshire Terrier dog breed was not bred at all in order to pamper society offspring, touch the ladies and ride in the pocket of gentlemen's coats.

York are real hunters, whom Scottish weavers trained to hunt mice and rats in the factory floors and who protected the peasants' fields from the invasion of rodents. Their character persistently reveals the nature of a terrier - an active, tireless, curious and often fearless companion.

Breed traits

Breed traits (on a 5-point scale)

This breed is often compared to the following dog breeds: Miniature Schnauzer (Standard Schnauzer), Airedale Terrier, Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (Whiten Terrier), Miniature Schnauzer (Dwarf Schnauzer), Labrador Retriever.

Photos of Kerry Blue Terriers:

Italian lapdog - bolognese

Externally, Bologneses resemble Bichon Frize, they are the same size. The main difference is the structure of the coat. Italian lapdogs have hair that lies in waves or loose curls, while Bichon Frize hair is curled into elastic, fluffy curls.

Bologneses were bred in Italy by crossing lapdogs with toy poodles.

Bologneses are balanced dogs with a gentle character who need constant communication. They love big companies; they can even get sick from lack of attention and loneliness.

Italian lapdogs cannot be called too active; they do not need long walks. Dogs are able to sit for a long time next to their owner or in their arms. The lifespan of Bolognese is 15 years.

general characteristics

Kerry Blue Terrier dogs were bred in County Kerry, Ireland. This explains the first part of the name. The word "blue" refers to the unusual bluish color of the coat. Previously, these dogs were used as shepherds, hunters, they exterminated rats, and guarded the house. Now it is the ideal companion for active owners. The breed is a symbol of Ireland, the country's national pride.

The all-purpose work these terriers did in the past has influenced their character. These are smart, independent, hardy and brave dogs. They can guard the house, exterminate rats on the property, hunt birds and small game. They are very attached to their owner and family members, treat everyone kindly, and love children. This dog can become a devoted companion.

pros

Irish Blue Terriers are popular due to their good-natured, cheerful character and original appearance. This funny, playful dog is ready to accompany his owner everywhere, amusing him with his antics. Representatives of the breed are unpretentious, do not require serious care and live quietly both in a private house and in a city apartment. They have several more advantages:

• smart, quick-witted;
• cheerful, active and playful;
• loyal, sociable;
• get along well with children;
• can guard the house;
• the wool hardly sheds, does not smell, does not cause allergies;
• have good health and long life expectancy.

Minuses

This breed is not suitable for people with a soft character and inexperienced in raising terriers. If a pet is not given enough attention and education from an early age, it can grow up arrogant and uncontrollable. These dogs have several other disadvantages that can become a problem:

• prone to dominance;

• can be stubborn and headstrong;
• they love to gnaw everything, dig the ground;
• come into conflict with other dogs;
• They do not get along well with pets because they see them as prey.

Interesting videos complement the description of these dogs:

Video: Kerry Blue Terrier. Pros and cons, price, how to choose, facts, care, history

Video: Kerry Blue Terrier. Breed characteristics, care

Poodle

When it comes to curly-haired dogs, perhaps the first breed people think of is the poodle.

The Fluffy Poodle is a classic curly-haired dog that comes in large, miniature and toy sizes. These dogs are known to be very intelligent and make excellent companions.

The Standard Poodle was originally bred to be an avid retriever.

Historically, owners would trim the tight curls to warm the dog's vital organs and joints when it was immersed in cold water.

Today, the classic poodle cut is more about fashion than function. Whether your dog is a water retriever or a couch potato, be prepared to learn how to trim your dog's coat yourself or find a capable groomer in your area, as this coat needs frequent trimming to prevent matting.

History of the origin of the breed

It is unknown how long ago the breed was formed and from which ancestors it originated. The Irish consider it ancient, noting that medium-sized terriers have long been kept on the island. They helped hunt, guarded the farm, grazed livestock, and protected crops from rodents. These dogs were universal, they were kept in almost every peasant family.

Many researchers believe that the breed originated from Irish wolfhounds and black and tan English terriers. The unusual appearance and special coat structure could have been formed from crossing with wheaten terriers, Bedlingtons and even poodles. These dogs were bred in County Kerry. At the end of the 19th century, breeders noticed them and they began to be exhibited.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the breed was officially recognized and called the Kerry Blue Terrier. A standard was developed and breed clubs were created. These dogs began to spread throughout the world. They appeared in Russia in the 60s.

Keeshond

The German-Dutch Keeshond breed has another name - “Wolfspitz”. In Germany, these Spitz were nicknamed wolf Spitz because of their characteristic coat color. They have long been used by Dutch barge skippers to guard the deck when moored. This gave rise to a nickname: barge dog. During the fight against the royal dynasty of the Netherlands, the Wolfspitz belonging to the leader of the movement, Kees de Gieseler, was very helpful. Hence the Keeshond.

In the world of breeding, this is one of the dogs that has had the least amount of human intervention. The animal once belonged to the worker-peasant class. And the unpampered blood of the aristocracy retained the features of its ancestors that arose in Europe in the 16th century. The youngest puppies are introduced into society. Their wildness dissolves in communication with people and animals. As a watchdog, the Keeshond is wary, but in the family it is an excellent companion.

Kerry Blue Terrier standard

This is a compact, medium-sized dog with a strong, muscular build. Height at the withers is 44-49 cm, weight 15-18 kg. Males are slightly larger and heavier than females. Kerry Blue Terriers look elegant and attractive. Characteristic features of appearance are thick wavy fur of a beautiful bluish color, an elongated wide muzzle with a long beard and bangs.

Head

The head is large, proportional to the body. The muzzle is medium in size, elongated. The length of the skull from the occipital protuberance to the tip of the nose is ½ the height at the withers. The jaws are powerful, with a scissor bite, the lips and gums are black. The stop is almost invisible, the bridge of the nose is smooth, the lobe is large, black, the nostrils are wide.

The eyes are medium size, wide set. Must be dark. The look is smart, inquisitive. The ears are thin, small, triangular in shape. Placed high and close to each other. Semi-erect: form a fold in the middle, the base stands vertically, the tips hang down.

Frame

The neck is long, muscular, gracefully curved, and flows into a pronounced withers. The body is harmoniously built, square in format, sinewy. The line of the back is smooth, located horizontally, the loin is short. The chest is quite wide, the stomach is moderately tucked.

The tail is thin, not long, saber-shaped. In some countries it is still stopped. The tail is held vertically or bent into a semi-circle, but is not carried over the back.

Limbs

The limbs are smooth, long, densely covered with hair. Placed parallel, rear ones slightly set back. The shoulder blades are oblique, the elbows are pressed to the body. The hips are large, the hock joints are well defined. The paws are small with dense pads.

Coat and color

The coat is lush, soft, and of medium length. It has water-repellent properties and is silky to the touch. There is no undercoat. The top hair is slightly wavy and should not be curly. The Kerry Blue Terrier has especially long hair on the head and face: it forms bangs, a beard and mustache. There are thick feathers on the legs.

According to the standard, the color of representatives of the breed should be blue or ash-gray. The color can be any shade, lighter or darker. A small white spot on the chest, black markings on the body or darker tips of the hairs are acceptable. The peculiarity of the breed is that the bluish color is formed only after 1.5 years.

The photo will complement the description of the appearance of the representatives of the breed:

Pumi

The Hungarian Pumi has a unique medium-length coat characterized by a combination of curls and waves, and is a mixture of softer and coarser guard hairs.

At birth, the Pumi's coat is usually straight or wavy. After a few months, the coat changes as the guard hairs grow, resulting in the characteristic curls.

Unlike other Hungarian herding breeds such as the Puli and Komondor, the Pumi's hair should not be curled.

Caring for a pumi involves the labor-intensive method of stripping your hands. The coat may be clipped, which can change its texture and appearance. Between visits to the groomer, brush your locks every few weeks.

After brushing, wet your locks and let them air dry to bring them to life. Blow-drying this dog's fur will flatten the curls.

Characteristics of Kerry Blue Terriers

These dogs are very sociable and need to be close to people. They become strongly attached to all family members and do not single out any one person. Children are loved, but not looked after, but perceived as companions. They play with them, are ready to obey and follow commands, but do not tolerate rudeness and ridicule. The Kerry Blue Terrier easily becomes a family favorite. He loves to play pranks, he has imagination and a sense of humor. Representatives of the breed are very jumping and capable of performing various tricks.

Among the character traits of Irish Blue Terriers, the following can be noted:

• curiosity;
• independence;
• stubbornness;
• touchiness;
• cheerfulness;
• gambling;
• sociability;
• devotion;
• emotionality.

The Kerry Blue Terrier has strong hunting instincts. Therefore, on the street he will chase cats, birds, and can exterminate rodents on the site. This dog cannot be called peace-loving - he likes to conflict with other dogs and even fight. But he treats those pets with whom he lives in the same house from an early age patiently.

Representatives of this breed also have watchdog qualities. They are wary of strangers. This is a vigilant and brave guard. Reacts quickly to a dangerous situation or aggression from strangers. And these dogs bite painfully, they have powerful jaws and a strong grip.

Education and training

Cary Blue Terriers are very smart, quick-witted, and learn quickly. But they are stubborn, do not tolerate coercion, and are easily distracted. For dog training to be effective, you need to find the right approach. Dog handlers give the following recommendations:

• training should begin as early as possible;
• classes must be regular and consistent;
• It is advisable to conduct training in the form of a game, this dog will not do anything that is not interesting to him;
• classes should be short - no more than 10 minutes;
• the dog should not be distracted by anything;
• commands must be given firmly and persistently;
• exclude physical punishment and rudeness.

Irish Blue Terriers tend to be dominant. Therefore, the puppy immediately needs to be shown who is boss in the house. It is important to immediately stop attempts to jump on a person, bite their legs and arms, or growl. The puppy is immediately taught to respond to its name, to know its place, bowl, and daily routine. The first commands are “to me”, “place”, “you can’t”, “sit”, “near”, “stand”. You cannot call a dog to punish or take it home.

Portuguese water dog

The Portuguese Water Dog is another athletic dog breed with curly hair.

Originally bred to help fishermen find lost gear or even rescue drowning sailors, these dogs were supposed to be strong and agile swimmers.

Today, the breed is popular both as a companion pet and as a canine athlete in sports such as dock diving, agility, or obedience.

The Portuguese Water Dog's coat is hypoallergenic. This breed is considered very minimalist but requires regular grooming.

You can choose a standard clipper to keep the coat about one inch long, or you can choose a lion clip, which means shaving the hair on the hind legs and muzzle all the way down to the skin.

This haircut improved the mobility of working dogs in the water while keeping their vital organs warm.

Maintenance and care

The Kerry Blue Terrier is a pet and is not kept in an enclosure or on a chain. Although such dogs live quietly on the street, they require attention and communication with the owner. At home, your pet needs to have a comfortable bed away from drafts, buy more toys so that there is no desire to sharpen its teeth on the furniture.

Representatives of the breed are unpretentious to living conditions and get along well even in a small apartment. You just need to provide them with sufficient physical activity. Despite the fact that the breed is classified as decorative, it is not a lap dog. It is recommended to walk the Kerry Blue Terrier at least 2-3 hours a day.

An adult terrier is taken outside in the morning and evening, puppies - up to 5-6 times a day. It is advisable to take the dog out into nature more often, let him swim in ponds, and train him in dog parks. These terriers love to run after a bicycle, fetch a ball or stick, and dig in the ground.

Grooming

Kerry Blue Terriers do not need trimming, but do get clipped frequently. This helps create the correct silhouette and maintain a beautiful coat. They begin to cut the dog at 3 months of age and repeat several times a year. Grooming is easy to do yourself, but owners of show animals are advised to visit a grooming salon.

It is recommended to trim animals after bathing; the coat should be dry and combed. Haircut starts from the head. The hair on the ears, temples and on the top of the head is shortened with a clipper. Long bangs, a lush mustache and beard are left. The throat is cut short, leaving a length of 2 to 5 cm on the back and sides. The transitions from short to long hair should be smooth and not noticeable.

Dogs that are shown have their limbs not clipped, but combed. But pets can be given a hygienic haircut, which will help maintain cleanliness. To do this, the hairs on the paws, between the toes, under the tail and on the muzzle are shortened every month. After eating, this dog needs to wipe its mustache and beard.

Other hygiene procedures are the same as for other dogs:

• comb 3-4 times a week with a wide-toothed comb and a stiff brush;
• It is recommended to bathe 1-2 times a month with a special shampoo for soft wool;
• Wash paws after every walk and inspect pads for damage;
• wipe your eyes daily; if they run, treat them with special products;
• check and clean your ears every week;
• Trim nails 1-2 times a month;
• Brush your teeth every week or give your pet chewing bones.

Nutrition

Usually there are no problems with nutrition. Kerry Blue Terriers are not picky and are not prone to allergies or weight gain. You can feed them natural food or prepared food. The food must be at least premium class with a high protein content. You need to choose brands that are designed for active medium breed dogs. An adult dog needs to be fed 2 times a day. Water must be freely available at all times.

With natural feeding, at least 40% of the diet should be lean meat or offal. Meat food should be supplemented with cereals and vegetables. Fruits, dairy products, herbs, egg yolk, vegetable oil are useful. As recommended by your veterinarian, vitamin supplements should be given regularly.

Health

The average life expectancy of Irish Blue Terriers is 13 years. With good care they live up to 16-18 years. They have strong immunity and rarely have congenital pathologies. They have almost no joint dysplasia, hypothyroidism and other diseases common among pets. But they are prone to the following diseases:

• dry keraconjunctivitis;
• epidermal cysts;
• keratosis - calluses on the pads of the paws;
• entropyton, cataract;
• otitis.

What to feed your pet

The key to good health of the South Russian Shepherd is proper balanced nutrition. It involves observing the frequency of feeding and matching the volume of feed to the weight and age of the animal. Per kilogram of weight of an adult animal there should be about 30 g of dry food and 50 g of liquid food. The nutrient norm is higher for those individuals who are involved in the professional sphere. An adult South Russian Shepherd needs 250 g of protein, 60 g of fat and 450 g of carbohydrates. For the digestive system to function normally, 40 g of fiber is required.

An adult shepherd is fed 2 times a day. If you choose exclusively dry food, it is better to give preference to certified brands. It is recommended that the puppy’s diet be made up of natural products, including low-fat cottage cheese, boiled vegetables and a variety of cereals. The diet of adult shepherd dogs consists of:

• sea ​​fish;
• rice and buckwheat;
• raw beef meat;
• offal;
• chicken eggs;
• cottage cheese;
• kefir

How to buy a Kerry Blue Terrier puppy

To buy a purebred blue terrier, it is better to contact a professional breeder. The best conditions for keeping animals in country nurseries. In such places, dogs move more. In nurseries, puppies are usually checked for genetic pathologies; the animals have all the necessary documents and vaccinations.

In Moscow, purebred puppies cost 30-40 thousand rubles. The offspring of exhibition winners or foreign sires will be more expensive - from 70 thousand rubles.

Puppies are sold at the age of 2-3 months. When choosing, you need to pay attention to the behavior and health of the baby. He should be active, playful, curious. Healthy puppies have hair without bald spots, clean eyes, no parasites and no unpleasant odor. Breed characteristics do not yet appear at this age. It should also be taken into account that the coat will turn blue only after one and a half years; puppies are born black.

The photo shows what the puppies look like:

Interesting video about Kerry Blue Terriers:

Video: 5 features of caring for a Kerry Blue Terrier

The Kerry Blue Terrier is a great family dog, friendly and affectionate. She becomes attached to her owner, obeys and does not cause problems. The main thing is to properly care for the coat and begin socialization and training from an early age. Then this dog will become a devoted companion and best friend.

Airedale

The Airedale Terrier is the largest of the terrier breeds and has one of the most distinctive coats.

The wiry coat, usually tan and tan in color, may be heavily curled or have a more relaxed curl that resembles a wave. It is noticeably different in texture from many other terriers.

The Airedale Terrier is a hypoallergenic dog that does not require special care.

You should comb or use a comb to remove curls every week, but you will only need to visit your barber for trims three to four times a year.

This schedule saves a lot of time and money compared to the monthly grooming needs of other curly breeds.

Hungarian Kuvasz

Kuvasz dogs are ancient guard dogs of the ancient Hungarians.
The ancestors of modern Kuvasz protected flocks from predators, accompanied people on hunts, and served as bodyguards at the royal court. Height – 66 – 76 cm. Kuvasz color is white, less often ivory.

Kuvasz are famous for their keen instinct for territory.

Dogs put the peace of the owner and his family first, while rationally assessing the degree of danger. They do not show causeless aggression towards strangers, but selflessly defend against intruders even at the cost of their lives. The Hungarian Kuvasz has a hard time with a change of owner, so having an adult pet is extremely undesirable.

Where to place a Pomeranian

You must be prepared for the fact that the puppy will strive to “inhabit” the entire territory of the house and apartment, which can bring some disorder, if not chaos, into the life of the household. Experienced dog breeders try to prevent this disaster from the very beginning of keeping them in the family.

Space zoning

In an apartment or house for a Pomeranian Spitz, several purely dog ​​areas should be organized:

1. Rest zone. Little Pomeranians sleep a lot. From the first days of being raised at home, they are accustomed to a certain place where they can rest without the risk of being disturbed. The corner is equipped with a cozy, not too spacious couch. To make it easier to get used to, a soft toy the size of a puppy is placed there.
2. Food area. Pomeranians, like other dogs, very quickly get used to the place where feeding occurs. If from the very beginning you do not pamper the puppy with “handouts” from the common table, but feed him only in a certain place, he will not develop the habit of begging. There should always be clean water in the feeding area in a specially designed container. But the bowl of food is removed after each meal; food is not left in it.
3. Game Zone. Often this is all the available space in the pet's new home. Space for movement is very important, especially for Pomeranians in the first months of life, when, due to the lack of certain vaccinations, walking is contraindicated for them. The dogs are provided with safe toys and are periodically washed or washed.

Chow chow

Another shaggy breed of dog comes from China, which, in addition to its immense fur, has a memorable purple tongue color. When you pet a chow chow, you don’t immediately understand what kind of dog is underneath the fur, since your fingers simply sink into the fur and it’s not so easy to feel the animal. At the very beginning of breeding, chows were used as guards and hunters, but now it is difficult to imagine this bumpkin at work.

He prefers smooth walking rather than running. Wandering around the park for a long time - yes, playing ball - well, only in a very good mood. By nature, the dog is more than calm, even to some extent indifferent. It can be trained, but with great difficulty. You need to show persistence and endurance to achieve bear-like results from this shaggy dog.

Fox terrier

The Fox Terrier is a type of fox burrow dog bred in the late 18th century to kill rats. Over the centuries, the fox terrier has become man's faithful assistant in hunting foxes, badgers and raccoons.

Possessing an amazing scent, strength and quick reaction, he is always ready to fight the beast.

Appearance

Description:

1. The body of the Fox Terrier is compact, proportional, similar to a slightly elongated rectangle, located on small paws. The breed is characterized by a short, straight back, deep chest and graceful neck that widens towards the shoulders. The height of dogs, depending on their gender, is from 33 to 41 cm, and their weight is from 6.8 to 7.7 kg.
2. The head is of medium width with a flat forehead, tapering towards the eyes. The dog's muzzle is almost rectangular with a rounded end. It is distinguished by a black nose and round, deep-set eyes of a dark brown color, expressing alertness, interest and cheerfulness. The ears are of medium size with a break above the forehead directed towards the cheekbones.
3. Fox Terriers are either smooth-haired or wire-haired. Wire-haired dogs have slightly shorter hair on their face and paws than on their body. The color of dogs is tricolor - white with spots of brown and black, and bicolor - with red spots on a white background.

Character

Fox Terriers are endowed with a lively and restless temperament. Distinctive features of their character are intelligence, activity and cheerfulness.

They are friendly towards humans, love to play with children and are ready to throw themselves into fire and water for their owner. They show anger, vigilance and courage towards the beast, being wonderful hunting companions.