MyDogBreeds
Kerry Blue Terrier is originated from Ireland but Boykin Spaniel is originated from United States. Both Kerry Blue Terrier and Boykin Spaniel are having almost same height. Both Kerry Blue Terrier and Boykin Spaniel are of same weight. Both Kerry Blue Terrier and Boykin Spaniel has almost same life span. Both Kerry Blue Terrier and Boykin Spaniel has almost same litter size. Both Kerry Blue Terrier and Boykin Spaniel requires Moderate 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 Boykin Spaniel was originally bred by South Carolina hunters as the perfect dog for hunting wild bird during the early 1900s. Alexander White of Spartanburg found a short, well built dog and named him Dumpy. The dog was given to a certain L. Whitaker Boykin and a similar dog in looks was found and mated with Dumpy on Boykin’s Pine Grove plantation. Whitaker Boykin was particularly looking for a special kind of hunting dog breed that could wade into swamplands and into water.
Boykin’s spaniels were popular in South Carolina before World War II and later, in 1977, the Boykin Spaniel Society was founded to ensure the breeding standards of the dog. In 1985, the Boykin Spaniel was declared the state dog of South Carolina and recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2009.
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.
You can’t miss the medium-sized Boykin Spaniel with his magnificent coat in different shades of brown. When he gleams in the sun he looks like chocolate. This type of Spaniel is a bit bigger than the English Cocker Spaniel, but he is heavier, weighing between 13 to 18kg. He has large, floppy feathery ears and the tail has always been docked to give him that distinct look, but now with rules and regulations, the tail is often left so that it is long and feathery. The height of this dog at the withers is 39 to 43cm.
The length of the dog’s coat varies somewhat because of the different breeds from the past. Essentially the coat is medium length and wavy to curly with light feathering around the legs, ears, chest and stomach.
The Boykin Spaniel is social and he makes an excellent family pet. He is good around children and other dogs, and with training and socialization he becomes even more amicable and obedient.
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 Boykin Spaniel is a diverse breed. The characteristics of the dog aren’t set in stone. He is a hunting dogs with boundless energy and enthusiasm. He is an intelligent breed and responds well to training and is obedient to your commands. He is all about fun and excitement and he is guaranteed to make a splendid companion.
Active and social, he is going to need input from his owners in terms of exercise and mental stimulation. He isn’t a dog to just ignore and in exchange for love and care, he is going to be a loving, loyal and fun companion for you.
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 Boykin Spaniel is a healthy breed with a life span of 14 to 16 years. There are some diseases that you want to be aware of with your Boykin Spaniel.
Always be aware of Hip Dysplasia as it can reduce your pet’s quality of life.. In dogs with hip dysplasia, the hip joint doesn’t to develop properly and deterioration sets in and your pet can lose function of the joint. You’ll notice your pet battling to stand up after lying down. The frightening this is that some dogs begin to show signs of hip dysplasia as early as 4 months of age.
The Boykin Spaniel’s most common health problems apart from hip dysplasia are patellar luxation and juvenile cataracts.
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.
The Boykin Spaniel has been a gun dog and because he is energetic, he will need plenty of exercise and activities. Take him for walks or allow him to swim in the farm dam if you live in the country. He isn’t a dog to leave on his own in your backyard as he needs exercise as well as mental stimulation to keep him from becoming frustrated and developing destructive habits.
The Boykin’s hair will need to be brushed as least twice a week to prevent it from matting, particularly if he is a country-living dog, in and out of water and running through long grass. He is not a heavy shedder but his shedding is seasonal. As a long eared dog, he will need to have his ears checked to prevent infection.
Other grooming habits to get used to with your Boykin Spaniel are having his nails trimmed and brushing his teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week with special dog toothpaste and brush.
Boykin Spaniel owners who know the breed well say that there is nothing better than feeding your dog raw meat with vegetables and rice. Of course, not everyone can afford to feed their pets raw meat every day, and that’s alright. Just make sure that every now and then you include raw meat into your pet’s diet.
The very best commercially produced dog foods can also be good for your pet. If in doubt, speak to your veterinarian about the best food for your active, energetic pet. Never, ever deprive your pet of fresh, cool water throughout the day and night.