Kerry Blue Terrier vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Kerry Blue Terrier vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed ComparisonCavalier King Charles Spaniel is originated from United Kingdom but Kerry Blue Terrier is originated from Ireland. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel may grow 18 cm / 7 inches shorter than Kerry Blue Terrier. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel may weigh 9 kg / 19 pounds lesser than Kerry Blue Terrier. Both Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Kerry Blue Terrier has almost same life span. Both Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Kerry Blue Terrier has almost same litter size. Both Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Kerry Blue Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Terrier dog
undefined
United Kingdom
Ireland
Height Male:
31 - 33 cm
12 - 13 inches
44 - 51 cm
17 - 21 inches
Height Female:
29 - 33 cm
11 - 13 inches
44 - 51 cm
17 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
5 - 9 kg
11 - 20 pounds
15 - 18 kg
33 - 40 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 9 kg
11 - 20 pounds
15 - 18 kg
33 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
9 - 14 Years
13 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
5 - 8
Size:
Small
Medium
Other Names:
Comfort Dogs, Comfort Spaniels
Irish Blue Terrier
Colors Available:
Rich red shade with white, black and tan or even tri-colored
blackish, grey, Blue
Coat:
Medium length and silky
Soft, wavy to curly, dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

cavalier king charles spanielThe origin of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel goes back many centuries. It was in 1928 that this spaniel breed was separated from the smaller King Charles and these were particularly popular with royalty in England.

In fact, Mary, Queen of Scots had one of these spaniels who accompanied her to her beheading. It was her grandsons who gave their name to the breed, and King Charles II, who reigned from 1660 to 1685 kept these dogs. After Charles II's death, the dog’s popularity waned somewhat. The dog was later bred with pugs giving them the familiar features they have today, such as the domed head and the shorter nose.

Interest in the breed revived, and a breed -club was established, drawing up a breed standard. Finally, in 1945, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was recognized as a separate breed.

kerry blue terrierThe 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.

Description

cavalier king charles spaniel puppy - descriptionThe Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small to medium sized dog wih its height being 31 – 33cm and its weight being 5 – 8 or 9 kg. He is known for his long, silky coat which is fairly straight and feathery.

He has floppy ears, and with this Spaniel breed the tail is generally left long and feathery. The coat comes in many different colors so you will find the popular rich red shade with white, he can be black and tan or even tri-color.

Temperament:

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is affectionate, playful and eager to please. He makes an excellent pet for children as well and gets on well with other pets in the home too.

They adapt quickly to different environments and will be happy in the city or in the country, so long as his owner is with him and meters out lots of love and attention. He is intelligent and responds well to training and socialization, turning him from a playful puppy into a relaxed, obedient adult dog.

The Cavalier loves to be active but he also loves to be quietly lying next to his owner. It is also why these dogs make such splendid companions for the elderly as well as being a good choice for therapy dogs.

kerry blue terrier puppy - descriptionThe 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.

Temperament:

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.

Characteristics

cavalier king charles spaniel dog - characteristicsThe Cavlier King Charles Spaniel is an affectionate, playful and eager-to-please dog breed that is good with children and other dogs. They will be happy to join you in any games you have in mind but will easily lie quietly beside you for companionship too.

This spaniel breed is exceptionally intelligent and can be easily trained and socialized, making them even better behaved dogs.

For their gentle, sweet nature, it is no wonder that they make such excellent therapy dogs for children and adults, and he is willing to be a wonderful friend to you too.

kerry blue terrier dog - characteristicsWhen 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.

Health Problems

cavalier king charles spaniel puppies - health problemsCavaliers are generally fairly healthy dogs but they are prone to mitral valve disease which can lead to heart failure. The heart as 4 chambers and each chamber has a one-way valve to keep blood from flowing backward. One of these is the mitral valve and it can leak over time resulting in a heart murmur. Dogs as young as 4 years of age can develop a murmur from a leaking mitral valve.

Congestive heart failure develops, your dog has a chronic cough and lacks stamina. A veterinary cardiologist may need to be called in to recommend some kind of medical intervention. The vet will evaluate your pet's condition and lifestyle before making a recommendation.

Other health problems which the Cavalier might have to contend with will be luxating patella as well as eye issues.

Patellar Luxation:

This condition affects toy breeds, occuring when the kneecaps slip out of place. It can be severe enough to cause lameness in the dogs leg, but fortunately it can be managed with an anti-inflammatory or even surgery.

kerry blue terrier puppies - health problemsYou 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.

Entropion:

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.

Cancer:

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.

Hip Dysplasia:

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.

Caring The Pet

Brushing:

cavalier king charles spaniel dogs - caringThe Cavalier Spaniel’s long silky coat will require brushing at least twice a week to remove loose hairs and to keep it healthy and shiny. This is one spaniel however, that won’t require trimming. However, because he loves to be playing outdoors, some owners do trim the dog’s feathers around the legs and paws.

Ear Checks:

As a dog with floppy ears, it will become essential to check his ears for wax build-up and moisture within the ears combined with dirt. This can lead to ear infections. Also the silky ears can be prone to matting. You can wash them gently with dog shampoo.

Dental Disease:

Smaller dogs like the Cavalier Spaniel are more likely to develop dental problems because of the structure of their skulls and jaws which are more compressed. Brush your dogs teeth 2 or 3 times a week with special canine tooth-paste and toothbrush.

Grooming:

kerry blue terrier dogs - caringThe 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.

Diet:

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.

Exercise:

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Kerry Blue Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Kerry Blue Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Kerry Blue Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Kerry Blue Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Kerry Blue Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Kerry Blue Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison