Kerry Blue Terrier vs Irish Water Spaniel
Compare Kerry Blue Terrier and Irish Water Spaniel side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Kerry Blue Terrier
Irish Water Spaniel
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
44 – 50 cm
51 – 61 cm
Weight
14 – 18 kg
25 – 34 kg
Life expectancy
12 – 15 years
12 – 14 years
Child friendly
3/5
5/5
Energy level
4/5
4/5
Intelligence
3/5
4/5
Trainability
4/5
4/5
Health
5/5
3/5
Grooming needs
3/5
3/5
Shedding
1/5
2/5
Barking level
4/5
0/5
Aggressiveness
4/5
0/5
Characteristics
Kerry Blue Terrier
High energy
Protective
Easy to train
Medium
Irish Water Spaniel
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Quiet
Easy to train
Large
Summary
About Kerry Blue Terrier
Medium, athletic Irish terrier with a proud outline and curly blue coat that matures from black. Lively, intelligent, and strongly bonded to family, it needs daily mental and physical exercise. Low‑shedding but high‑grooming, with bold, watchful, sometimes dog‑assertive temperament.
About Irish Water Spaniel
Medium–large, athletic gundog with a distinctive curly liver coat, smooth face and tapering “rat tail.” Clever, water‑loving retriever that forms close bonds, often to one person. Needs substantial daily exercise, mental work, regular grooming and kind, consistent training.
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