The True Blue Irish!

by Janet Joers
Copyright © 2003 Kerry Blue Terrier Foundation
This story firt appeared in the October 1994 issue of Kerry Klips

Most visitors to Ireland don't drive right by the Waterford Crystal factory and showroom without stopping. But I did. I had another appointment to keep. Just a stone's throw away, in the middle of a neat row of houses, lives one of the top three Kerry breeders in the country. Mr. Patrick O'Regan (of the Brykar name) is, in fact, one of the best known Kerry breeders/exhibitors/handlers in Ireland.

A charming Irishman with a twinkle in his eye and a delightful Irish brogue, Pat O'Regan is an imposing man with as much ring presence as his dogs. His "ring" at home is a grassy backyard where his four Kerries (including two International Champions and a promising puppy bitch) compete for attention, and where he has his grooming shop, decorated with show pictures and ribbons, and his kennels.

For a breeder, Mr. O'Regan keeps very few dogs, selling his Champions and keeping only the best of a litter for breeding and showing. His card states that he breeds for "correct coat and colour," and one look at his Kerries will convince you he knows what he's doing. The color can only be described as show-stopper silver/blue. The coat is soft, wonderfully silky, and loaded with the nicest waves I've probably ever seen in a Kerry. Certainly it more than lives up to the Irish standard which simply says, "Soft, plentiful, and wavy."

It is on coat and color that Mr. O'Regan is most adament, showing a spirit as feisty as his Kerry stud "Tommy" (who, I might add, was recovering from wounds received in a fight with three other dogs). As a respected and, I suspect, controversial, Terrier judge, O'Regan has been known to dismiss every dog in the ring that doesn't meet the standard. Resented by some and applauded by many, he was moved to set the record straight on Kerries by writing a letter to the Irish Kennel Club and Terrier.

If correct coat and color are his trademarks, O'Regan's Kerries have plenty of other virtues to commend themselves. Those I saw, including a visiting show bitch, were beautifully short in back with a nice length of leg, well sprung ribs, and a powerful movement you need to see in action to appreciate. Their size, as well as the size of the Kerries I observed at a dog show, were slightly smaller than their American counterparts. These dogs, I was informed in no uncertain terms, were carefully bred to the standard--18-19 1/2" for dogs, 17 1/2-19" for bitches. They are the sturdy, well balanced progeny from the same stock our own Kerries originated.

And, of course, all the O'Regan Kerries had the required dark gums and roof of mouth. Mr. O'Regan proceeded to open the mouths of all his dogs, and, to my amazement, every single one had black or dark, coffee-colored gums and the roof of their mouths was completely black! In fact, Mr. O'Regan stated emphatically, "If the gums aren't black or coffee colored, it's not a true Kerry!" (And I thought the pink on the gums of my Kerry--whose grandfather was an Irish import at that!--was a sign of good health!)

These Kerries also displayed the sound and playful temperament we love so much in our dogs, and the Irish spirit that won't back down when challenged. (I didn't dare ask what happened to Tommy's three adversaries!) There was, however, something surprisingly unique about these dogs. When my husband and I were first escorted to the backyard, we were greeted with enthusiasm by two adult bitches and an adorable puppy--none of whom barked! When Tommy was brought out, he didn't bark either! In fact, none of the 10 Kerries I met in Ireland barked. Why? Breeders and owners alike just shrugged their shoulders,and assured me their dogs certainly knew how to bark. Could it be that the Irish bloodlines retain a bit of the sheep herding instinct of the utility barnyard Kerry who was not permitted to disturb the flock? (If so, it's an instinct worth preserving!)

If Mr. O'Regan's Kerries are flashy in the backyard, imagine how they look in the show ring! I was lucky enough to watch a video of Tommy in action. This dog is winner of two International Championships and is currently at stud. The bitch Brykar's Dawn Run is also an International Champion. And just a few years ago, his bitch Barney Blues Aramis won Best in Show at the Dublin Irish Blue Terrier Club's 70th anniversary show. The previous year, this bitch had won the Irish Native Breed Show's terrier trial.

Which brings me to another point worth noting: When his dogs are still puppies, Mr. O'Regan takes them hunting. Rabbit hunting, that is! What better way to bring out the true terrier instinct? And once his dogs learn the meaning of "Go get the jack," they've also learned a phrase that comes in mighty handy in the show ring!

My sincere thanks to Mr. O'Regan for giving so generously of his time and information, and for introducing me to his wonderful, true blue Irish, Kerry Blue Terriers.

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