Mike DeDomme, age 12, of Dayton, Ohio, for his question:
WHY DO WE CALL THAT DOG A KERRY BLUE TERRIER?
A dog that is famous for its loyalty and its unusual gentleness toward children is the Kerry blue terrier. It got its name because of its blue black coloring and the fact that it originated in County Kerry in Ireland. It dates back to the early 19th century.
The Kerry blue is a great hunting dog. It retrieves well from both land and water. It is used extensively in Ireland and England for hunting birds and small game.
The dog is also employed often as a sheep and cattle herder. In addition, the Kerry blue can be an excellent watchdog.
The breed first became well known in the United States in the 1930s.
A typical Kerry blue terrier has a long head and a flat skull. It has small or medium sized eyes that are usually hazel in color. The dog also has a deep chest and a moderately long neck. The soft, curly hair can actually be several shades of blue black.
The male dog is about 46 inches high at the shoulder and weighs between 33 and 38 pounds. The female is slightly smaller.
The Kerry blue is an extremely alert and intelligent dog with unusual powers of endurance.