Kerry Blue Terrier vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison

Kerry Blue Terrier vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed ComparisonCao da Serra de Aires is originated from Portugal but Kerry Blue Terrier is originated from Ireland. Both Cao da Serra de Aires and Kerry Blue Terrier are having almost same height. Cao da Serra de Aires may weigh 9 kg / 20 pounds more than Kerry Blue Terrier. Both Cao da Serra de Aires and Kerry Blue Terrier has almost same life span. Both Cao da Serra de Aires and Kerry Blue Terrier has almost same litter size. Both Cao da Serra de Aires and Kerry Blue Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Terrier dog
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Portugal
Ireland
Height Male:
45 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
44 - 51 cm
17 - 21 inches
Height Female:
42 - 53 cm
16 - 21 inches
44 - 51 cm
17 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
17 - 27 kg
37 - 60 pounds
15 - 18 kg
33 - 40 pounds
Weight Female:
15 - 27 kg
33 - 60 pounds
15 - 18 kg
33 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
13 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 6
5 - 8
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Portuguese Sheepdog, Portuguese Shepherd Dog
Irish Blue Terrier
Colors Available:
Fawn, gray, yellow and black
blackish, grey, Blue
Coat:
Long, shaggy, single-layer coat,
Soft, wavy to curly, dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Detached, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
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

cao da serra de airesAncestors of the Cao da Sera de Aires were used for herding livestock in the Serra de Aires and Alentejo, Portugal. This herding dog is native to Portugal and throughout the 20th Century he was kept as a working dog.

Known also as the Portuguese Sheepdog, Portuguese Shepherd Dog or Serra de Aires Mountain Dog, there are some questions surrounding the breed's ancestry as there are few records of dogs before 1900. The dog is thought to be related to the Pyrenean and Catalan Sheepdogs and that it has descended from Briards which were imported into Portugal and crossed with the Pyrenean Sheepdog.

The Cão da Serra de Aires breed standard was accepted by the Portuguese Kennel Club, and the breed was recognized internationally in 1996. The dog was also recognized by the United Kennel Club in the Herding Group in 2006.

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

cao da serra de aires puppy - descriptionThe beautiful Cão da Serra de Aires is a medium-sized dog. He stands at 45 to 55 cm at the withers and weighs about 17 to 27 kg. He is recognizable by the long, shaggy, single-layer coat, of straight or slightly wavy hair. Don’t be deceived by the coat as below, the dog has a muscular, athletic body.

The coat comes in different shades such as fawn, gray, yellow and black. The dog has a long tail which is held straight out or down and he has medium-length, floppy ears. You’ve got to look hard, as the facial features of the dog are hidden by its shaggy coat. He has a lot of facial hair that sometimes you have to wonder if he can see out of his eyes.

Temperament:

The Cao da Serra de Aires is a wonderful canine companion and is devoted and loyal, forming strong bonds with their human family. He is a playful, amicable dog and gets on well with children in the home as well as with other pets.

He is intelligent and trainable, and when properly trained and socialized,he becomes an even nicer pet to have around and is obedient to his master’s voice. He is territorial, strong willed and dominant and makes a good watchdog too.

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

cao da serra de aires dog - characteristicsThe Cão da Serra de Aires is such a loyal dog to his human family that he makes a splendid pet. He is active, having worked historically at herding and guarding.

Socialization and obedience training ensure that he becomes an exceptional pet and he has a host of positive attributes to his name – he is intelligent, energetic, loyal and loving. He may have been used long ago to guard livestock, but today he is selected as a pet specifically for his excellent companionship and for his protective nature.

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

cao da serra de aires puppies - health problemsAs with most dogs that are looked after well, their health can be good. The Cao da Serra de Aires isn’t likely to keep you at the vet often. Just like with any good dog, there are some health disorders that can benefit you to know about.

Being forewarned , you can get your pet to the vet quickly before the illness gets out of hand.

There are some pet owners who want to have their pets tested by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals as well as the Canine Eye Registration Foundation to rule out health defects such as hip dysplasia and cataracts before they manifest themselves in their pets. This is of particular importance to breeders so as to prevent the parent dogs passing bad genetic conditions to the puppies.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a common skeletal disease where the dog’s hip joints don’t develop properly. It can be terribly painful for your pet to get around. It’s a genetic condition and while it is more prevalent in big dogs, any breeds are susceptible.

Your dog will battle along with painful joints and sometimes his hind-end will be lame. You’ll notice that once lying down, he battles to get up again. Fortunately vets are well acquainted with this ailment and they have different options to treat and manage it.

Cataracts:

Cataracts in your dog come about from a disease process which affects the lens of the eye. The eye loses its transparency and impairs vision. There are some instances where cataracts can cause blindness. You’ll see a whitish gray area in your pets eye. The most common cause of cataracts is genetics. Get your pet to the vet who will do certain tests to evaluate the eyes and make a recommendation.

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

cao da serra de aires dogs - caringAs a working dog used to long hours of action, the Cao da Serra de Aires will need lots of activity. He’ll need you taking him for long walks and playing ball games with him. He can become frustrated and destructive when left without any physical stimulation.

Grooming

The Cao da Serra de Aires may have long hair but he isn’t high maintenance. He won’t require professional grooming, but will require a good brush a least twice a week. This is because the long coat can tangle.

To keep him looking his best, you’ll want to be trimming the hair around his paws. Another important grooming task is checking his ears and cleaning them. You have to be careful about cleaning your pet ears if you don’t know how, as it could damage the ears. Your vet can always advise you on how this is done.

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. Cao da Serra de Aires vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  4. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Cao da Serra de Aires vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Cao da Serra de Aires vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Cao da Serra de Aires vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Cao da Serra de Aires vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Cao da Serra de Aires 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