PetzloverKerry Blue Terrier is originated from Ireland but Southern Hound is originated from United Kingdom. Kerry Blue Terrier may grow 20 cm / 7 inches shorter than Southern Hound. Kerry Blue Terrier may weigh 23 kg / 50 pounds lesser than Southern Hound. Both Kerry Blue Terrier and Southern Hound has almost same life span. Both Kerry Blue Terrier and Southern Hound has almost same litter size. Kerry Blue Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance. But Southern Hound requires Low Maintenance
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 Southern Hound hails from England and is a breed of dog that existed sometime in the 19th century.
There isn’t much information available as to the time the dog became extinct. Some people believe that other breeds were bred with the dog until the true Southern Hound bloodline no longer existed. It was a breed of scent hound, and had an excellent sense of smell.
Known also as the Old English Hound, it was during the 18th century that the Southern Hound’s popularity waned and other kinds of hounds became more prominent.
While the Southern Hound has been extinct for decades, there is still some of this dog breed found in modern day breed.
It s believed that the Southern Hound has been used in the development of the Beagle and the Bloodhound as you can see the similarities.
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.
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 Southern Hound was a large, solidly built, deep chested dog with a square head and a longish muzzle. He stood at between 58-71 cm in height and weighed 25 – 41kg.
The Southern Hound had long, wide floppy ears, much like the Basset Hound of today. The tail was fairly long and curved upright. It was known for its deep melodious voice, much like the Bloodhound we have today.
It had excellent scenting abilities and was used to follow the trail of its prey. The coat of the Southern Hound was short and smooth and it is believed that the most common colors for the coat were white with black or brown markings, making it a tricolor dog.
Used to being on the hunt with other dogs, there is no doubt that the Southern Hound wasn’t aggressive towards other dogs and that he knew how to get along with them. It’s a dog that was dedicated to to the hunt and was bred to work, known for its stamina and endurance.
The dog didn’t possess strong herding or protective instincts and it is thought that it wasn’t kept as a companion dog. Because of the breeds used to develop this dog, it is assumed that it was a non-aggressive, friendly dog.
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.
The Southern Hound is no longer in existence, which is a pity as it seems as though he may have made an excellent pet in modern times.
They were a playful breed, loyal, gentle and affectionate and no doubt made a good watchdog too, although it is thought that his protective instincts weren’t good.
They aren’t dogs recommended for city living, but it seems according to the few records there are of this dog that he could have made a reliable, loving pet to have around.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Southern Hound had drop ears which would have made him prone to ear infections. This is because unlike dogs with erect ears, air isn’t able to circulate into the ear and the inside of the ear become a breeding place for bacteria.
The dog may have had to deal with Cherry Eye too. This eye problem affects the tear gland in the third eyelid. It needs to be treated so as to avoid long term eye problems. This is also because exposure of the tissue can bring on swelling, inflammation and infection.
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.
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.
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.
Because this dog was once used as a hunting dog, they were accustomed to large open spaces. He would have required a fair amount of exercise. They would have needed a walk every day if he wasn't involved in a hunt that day.
The Southern Hound had a short coat and in those days he probably would have needed to be brushed once or twice a week.
The Southern Hound would have required top quality food to support his energy. If in that time there has been commercially manufactured food, it would have had to be the better quality ones. Today if you were feeding the Southern Hound you would check out the ingredients on the packaging and go for the dog foods with wholesome, natural ingredients in them.
No doubt the owners of these dogs provided their dogs with raw and cooked meat. If you had a Southern Hound today you would try to include some home-made food for him which would be simply mixed into the dry kibble twice a week. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots is super nutritious.
The Southern Hound would have required a constant supply of fresh, cool water within his reach.