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Kerry Blue Terrier Poodle Mix [Ultimate Breed Guide]

Kerry Blue Terrier next to a Poodle with text above reading "Kerry Blue Doodle"

What do you get when you cross a Kerry Blue Terrier with a Poodle? You get the Kerry Blue Doodle!

Keep reading to learn all about this rare Terrier-Poodle mix.

What is a Kerry Blue Doodle?

The Kerry Blue Doodle is a mix between a Kerry Blue Terrier and a Poodle. This small-to-medium-sized Doodle breed inherits some great traits from the tenacious Kerry Blue Terrier and the intelligent Poodle.

The Kerry Blue Terrier is an intelligent breed that loves to actively engage in obstacles to work their body and mind. While this breed loves to be active, they also enjoy a good snuggle session with their owners.

Poodles are the second most intelligent dog breed. They are athletic and easy to train. Their long, curly coats are their trademark.

The Kerry Blue Terrier and Poodle mix can also be called the Kerry Blue Toodle, Kerry Doodle, Kerry Bloodle, Irish Blue Doodle, or Kerrydoodle.

To better understand this Doodle dog, let’s take a closer look at the parent breeds.

Kerry Blue Terrier

It is believed that Kerry Blue Terriers originated in Ireland (hence the name Kerry). English settlers created the breed in the 18th century to serve as a working dog on farms and a hunting companion.

Kerry Blue Terriers, or Irish Blue Terriers, are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and energy. They were initially bred as working dogs, hunting game and herding livestock.

Illustrated Kerry Blue Terrier dog with a purple background and text above saying "kerry blue terrier"

The true origin of the Kerry Blue Terrier is still relatively unknown. However, many believe it is a relative to the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier [1]ukcdogs.com/kerry-blue-terrier.

The American Kennel Club recognized the Kerry Blue Terrier in 1922. Twenty-six years later, it was recognized by the United Kennel Club.

Today, Kerry Blues are still used as working dogs on farms and ranches, but they are also valued as family pets and companions for their intelligence and loyalty.

The Kerry Blue is ranked as the 134 most popular dog breed in the United States [2]akc.org/dog-breeds/kerry-blue-terrier.

Poodle

The Poodle was originally bred in Germany over 400 years ago. The word “Poodle” is derived from the German word “Pudel,” meaning “to splash in the water.”

Often mistaken for French “frou-frou” dogs, the Poodle is an athletic and highly-skilled water dog. They are excellent hunting dogs and have been used in the role for centuries.

It is true that Poodles are associated with the country of France. The breed became popular in France as French nobles particularly liked this curly-haired, intelligent dog. As a result, Poodles are now France’s national dog.

A black Poodle laying across a white Poodle
Black and White Poodles

Over time, Poodles have been divided into three types: standard, miniature, and toy. Standard Poodles are the original breed. Miniature Poodles are a result of breeding down the standard size. The Toy Poodle followed suit and resulting in the breeding of smaller-sized Mini Poodles.

Poodles’ intelligence and trainability have made them popular in circuses, obedience competitions, search and rescue, therapy work, and other activities. Today, they rank in the top ten for most popular breeds in the United States [3]akc.org/dog-breeds/poodle-standard.

What does the Kerry Blue Terrier-Poodle mix look like?

The Kerry Blue Terrier-Poodle mix can be identified by its soft, curly coat and long, slender body. They have long necks and pointed muzzles. Their ears are usually erect, and they have a medium-length tail with a slight bend.

Size

The Kerry Blue Doodle ranges in height from 15-19 inches. A healthy adult male will be taller than a female.

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) site, the Kerry Blue Terrier is one of the largest terriers. They range in height from 18-19.5 inches tall [4]akc.org/dog-breeds/kerry-blue-terrier.

Standard Poodles stand over 15 inches tall.

Weight

The Kerry Blue Terrier-Poodle mix ranges in weight from 30-70 pounds. This is highly dependent on the parents of the litter and the gender of the dog.

A healthy male Kerry Blue Terrier’s weight can start around 33 pounds and as much as 40 pounds [5]akc.org/dog-breeds/kerry-blue-terrier.

An adult black Kerry Blue Terrier looking up towards the sky while standing in grass
Kerry Blue Terrier

Standard Poodles weigh between 40-70 pounds.

Coat Colors

The Kerry Blue Doodle has an extensive range of possible coat colors.

  • Blue
  • Black
  • Brown
  • White
  • Apricot
  • Café au lait
  • Beige
  • Silver
  • Gray
  • Red

The Kerry Blue Terrier is known for its blue-toned coat. The AKC has deemed “standard” colors are black, blue, blue and black, blue and silver, blue and gray, silver, silver-blue, and slate blue.

The Poodle has many different colors. Most of which make up the coat colors listed above.

Coat Type

The Kerry Blue Terrier-Poodle mix likely has a wavy or curly coat that is medium in length. Both parent breeds share the genes for wavy/curly fur, which is usually a good indicator that the mix will have a similar texture.

They have a wavy coat which allows them to be considered a hypoallergenic breed, perfect for owners with an allergy to dog hair.

The Kerry Blue Terrier has a medium-length wavy coat. Their coat type allows for minimum shedding, which makes it a hypoallergenic breed.

Poodles have long, curly coats. Their coat is also hypoallergenic.

Traits & Characteristics

Infographic summary of the traits and characteristics of the Kerry Blue Terrier and Poodle mix

Temperament

This mixed breed is very loving, although they may be better without another dog around the house. Like most dogs, with proper introduction, they do well with young children [6]akc.org/dog-breeds/kerry-blue-terrier.

However, as loving as these dogs can be, they can also be extremely stubborn and need consistent training.

Kerry Blue Terrier-Poodle mixes can make for the perfect dog for the outdoorsy family who love a good challenge as they are eager to spend time outside with their families and are always eager to exert their mind and body.

Energy Level and Activity Needs

The Kerry Blue Terrier-Poodle mix has an active energy level and relishes a good romp around the outdoors. Whether going on a run, hiking or playing fetch with their owners, they will be in heaven. As much as they enjoy expending their energy, they also appreciate a good night in, snuggled up next to their owner(s).

Is the Kerry Blue Terrier-Poodle mix aggressive?

This Terrier-Poodle mix does tend to be protective over its family and those it is familiar with. Even though it may have a protective streak, the Kerry Blue Terrier-Poodle mix is jovial and knows that children can be rough and tends to be careful when playing with them.

Is the Kerry Blue Terrier-Poodle Mix good with young children?

Yes. Both parent breeds do well with young children. According to the United States Kerry Blue Terrier Club (USKBTC), Kerry Blue Terriers are “ready to play with patience” [7]huskbtc.wildapricot.org/The-Kerry-As-A-Pet.

They seem hyper-aware that children tend to pull and play hard, yet they are patient and eager to play softly with children. However, it is essential to teach young children to play as softly as they can when it comes to any dog, regardless of their temperament.

Health

There are a few common health issues to be aware of in the Kerry Blue Terrier-Poodle mix:

  • Hip dysplasia
  • Patellar luxation
  • Eye disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Von Willebrand’s disease

Kerry Blue Terriers are considered to be a healthy breed. However, they are prone to experiencing hip dysplasia. Poodles are prone to hip dysplasia and some eye disorders.

When looking for the perfect puppy, always talk with the breeder to find out if they have had any of their vaccines, the health history of the parents of the puppy you are interested in, and any concerns the breeder may have.

Life Expectancy

The average life expectancy of a healthy Kerry Blue Terrier-Poodle mix ranges from about 11 to 17 years.

Interested in other Terrier-Poodle mixes?

Check out these awesome Doodle dogs:


Kevin is a proud Bernedoodle owner and Doodle dog fanatic. Read how a chance encounter with two Bernedoodles spurred a lifelong passion here. If you want to get in contact with Kevin, you can send him a message.