Melbee’s Kerry Blue Terrier
Lloyd Boothe
Meet the Breed: Kerry Blue Terrier
Q: Please tell our readers how you got involved in the world of pedigreed dogs and what attracted you to the Kerry Blue.
A: My daughter made me do it. In 1975 and 1976 we were living in Brazil. My daughter fell in love
with a Papillon. When we returned to the states, I located a puppy in St Louis. Purchasing it required
that we sign a contract to show it to its championship. That’s how it all got started. The same breeder
had Borzoi, which I fell in love with and purchased. We joined the Heart of America Kennel Club. As
my daughter became involved in the dog shows, she wanted something larger than a toy dog to show.
Billie Kneale had just had a litter of Kerries and suggested that the size and attitude would be perfect
for my daughter.
Q: Where did you get your foundation dogs and what other breeders do you like to collaborate with?
A: Our first Kerry was from Billie Kneale, Ch Camshron’s Whiskey & Lace. She was from Kerries that Billie had obtained from Mel & Bee Schlesinger, Melbee Kennels. My first litter was from Whiskey & Lace, bred to Tontine’s Warlord who was owned by Richard & Carol Basler. In subsequent years we worked with Marie Sostmann of Pot’O’Gold Kennels, Nick & Doreen Fletcher, Dornick Kennels, Larry & Carol Brown, Bluebeard Kennels, Lois Greer, Krisma Kennels, Anita Norman & Kelly Nordman, Ballymoon Kennels, and most recently, Harold Quigg of Irisblu Kennels.
Q: Did you have any mentors in the breed/dog world that helped you?
A: I was very fortunate to have had many. I was fortunate to have had Bee Schlesinger as a mentor
and partner. Billie Kneale, and Fred Young taught me the basics about grooming. Our friends Jack
Cummings and the Boutwells, Vic, and Loraine were both critics and mentors. Additionally, Ric
Chashoudian, Brad Woldridge, Bert Tormey, and Lil Schwartz were all very supportive and influential.
Q: Can you please educate our readers on the stages of color of the Kerry Blue. At what age should we see the hallmark blue color of the breed?
A: The stages of color in Kerry Blues is truly a crap shoot. Most are born black. Occasionally some are
born with streaks of silver in their legs. In my experience, color often begins to surface in the hind
quarters and will then spread throughout the rest of the body. Hopefully, signs of blue will become
apparent by 18 months. However, some of the most beautiful colors I’ve seen have not occurred until
3 or 4 years of age. I had a male who had silver streaks on his legs as a pup. He kept getting lighter
until about 18 months when he began to darken to a beautiful medium dark blue at 3 years old. He
continued to darken to a dark blue at 10. Some get darker; others get lighter.
Q: How has the Kerry Blue changed since you first started showing/breeding?
A: That’s a tough one. In the beginning, for me, the Kerry was more likely to be owner groomed and
handled. Judges were more focused on the dogs, how they behaved naturally and how balanced,
athletic, and alert they were. Judges were assigned fewer dogs to judge each day so the dogs were
able to be seen more casually. Today, when judges are assigned 175 dogs in the classes and one or
more groups each day, they don’t have the time or stamina to really look at the dogs. I think that has
led to requiring the dogs to be showier and more robotic. Certainly, the conformation has changed as
well to cause them to be more “upright,” with shorter loins, longer necks, higher tail sets and cleaner
heads. I have been guilty of promoting this “more elegant,” forgive me please, look.
Q: What are points you wish all judges knew about the Kerry Blue before judging the breed?
A: The Kerry Blue was a farm dog and family dog. It should be approachable and friendly. When
around other dogs, it should stand its ground without being in attack mode. The coat is unique, lush
and curly or wavey, as is the color, in all its shades. The Kerry movement should be steady and strong,
with reach and drive, not choppy or bouncy.
Q: Please mention three Kerry Blues not bred/owned by you that you have greatly admired.
A: Obviously, Mick, Torum’s Scarf Michael. Also, Ballymoon’s Flynn Tango, Torum’s Corky Capers and
Pot’O’Gold’s Luck of the Irish.
Q: Please mention three influential dogs from your kennel over the years.
A: A great producer and producer of even greater producers was Camshron’s Whiskey & Lace.
Melbee’s Must Be Magic, and Melbee’s Great Expectations also.
Q: What is your favorite show in the world to attend?
A: Hands down, Montgomery County.
Q: Please share some of your proudest memories from the show ring.
A: I was just a novice at my first Montgomery County when I won the breed with Whiskey & Lace. I
was intimidated and humbled. Another was when I won Sweepstakes and Best Opposite in the
Futurity with Melbee’s Great Expectations a few years ago. The other time was when Melbee’s Must
Be Magic finished her Canadian championship and went Best in Show in Vancouver.
Q: The conditioning and presentation of the Kerry Blue is no easy task. Please talk us through some of the work involved with presenting the Kerry Blue. Please also mention the Kerry Blue temperament/attitude.
A: I touched a bit on this in an earlier answer. I think Kerries should learn to walk on a lead before
they are weaned and be socialized as pups. They are natural herders. Taking them around farm
animals and encouraging them to watch and not attack chickens, to be around cows, horses and other
animals gives them confidence. I have found they enjoy keeping other animals away from you,
because they seem to think they are keeping you for themselves, not wanting to share. When you
have them in the ring on a lead, they should be alert to what’s going on.
Q: We sometimes see in the ring some judges have Kerry Blues (and other Terriers) come to the center and face each other, please explain to our readers the reason for this, and how you feel about it.
A: Again, I touched on this a bit in earlier answers. My belief is that this exercise should allow the dog
to demonstrate how to “stand ground.” They should be keenly focused on the other dog(s) and be
“on guard” without attacking.
Q: From your experience, where in the world do you believe Kerry Blues seem strongest, in terms of quality?
A: I’m not knowledgeable enough of Kerry Blues in other parts of the world. I do believe dogs
imported from the UK, Ireland, Finland, Russia, Spain, and Poland have enhanced our breeding
programs here in the US.
Q: What are your goals/dreams for the future of your Kerry Blue journey?
A: My Kerry Blue journey is solely focused on being a resource to anyone interested in our breed.
