Which is Better between the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier? A Very Detailed Review.

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Carolina Dog Versus Kerry Blue Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Carolina Dog and for the Kerry Blue Terrier. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Carolina Dog or the Kerry Blue Terrier.

Carolina Dog versus Kerry Blue Terrier: Overview

Both the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier are similar in size. The Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Carolina Dog belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

On the other hand, the Kerry Blue Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Carolina Dog versus Kerry Blue Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Carolina Dog to the Kerry Blue Terrier based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier

Factor Carolina Dog Kerry Blue Terrier
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Height 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Weight 33 to 55 pounds 33 to 40 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $500 $1980
Price Range $500 – $500 $2000 – $2000
Temperament Score 66.7 percent 73.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Eye Examination
  • Factor XI Deficiency
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Carolina Dog in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Kerry Blue Terrier. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Carolina Dog is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Kerry Blue Terrier is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Kerry Blue Terrier is a better pet than the Carolina Dog. So, you should get the Kerry Blue Terrier!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier are most different:

  • Carolina Dogs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Kerry Blue Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Carolina Dogs are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Kerry Blue Terriers are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Carolina Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Kerry Blue Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Carolina Dogs get along well with other dogs. However, Kerry Blue Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
  • The Similarities Between the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier

    The Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Carolina Dog versus Kerry Blue Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier.

    Carolina Dogs weigh 33 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Carolina Dogs are 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Kerry Blue Terriers weigh 33 to 40 pounds when fully grown. Kerry Blue Terriers are 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Carolina Dog versus Kerry Blue Terrier

    The lifespan of Carolina Dogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Carolina Dogs is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Kerry Blue Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Kerry Blue Terriers is 13.5 years.

    Temperament of the Kerry Blue Terrier Versus the Carolina Dog

    The Kerry Blue Terrier has a better temperament than the Carolina Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Kerry Blue Terrier is 73.5 percent while the temperament score for the Carolina Dog is 66.7 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 66.7 percent, the Carolina Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 73.5 percent, the Kerry Blue Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 3 Carolina Dogs and 49 Kerry Blue Terriers.

    Price of Carolina Dog versus Price of Kerry Blue Terrier

    The average price of the Carolina Dog puppy is $500. The price of the Carolina Dog typically ranges from $500 – $500. However, the price of a Carolina Dog can be as low as $500 and as high as $500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 6 Carolina Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Kerry Blue Terrier puppy is $1980. The price of the Kerry Blue Terrier typically ranges from $2000 – $2000. However, the price of the Kerry Blue Terrier can be as low as $1400 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 9 Kerry Blue Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Kerry Blue Terrier is more expensive than the Carolina Dog.

    Carolina Dog Kerry Blue Terrier
    Average Price $500 $1980
    Price Range $500 to $500 $2000 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Carolina Dog and Kerry Blue Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Carolina Dog puppies or how many Kerry Blue Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Carolina Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Carolina Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Kerry Blue Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Kerry Blue Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Carolina Dog puppy or the Kerry Blue Terrier puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Adopting the Carolina Dog versus Adopting the Kerry Blue Terrier

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Carolina Dogs and many Kerry Blue Terriers are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Carolina Dog named Niles that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Carolina Dogs like Niles on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Carolina Dogs, Kerry Blue Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Blue is a Male Kerry Blue Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Kerry Blue Terriers like Blue that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Vance is the name of another Carolina Dog (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Carolina Dogs and Kerry Blue Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Carolina Dog versus Kerry Blue Terrier

    Carolina Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Kerry Blue Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Carolina Dogs shed more than Kerry Blue Terriers?

    Carolina Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Kerry Blue Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Carolina Dog or the Kerry Blue Terrier

    Carolina Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Kerry Blue Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Carolina Dog or the Kerry Blue Terrier?

    Carolina Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Kerry Blue Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Carolina Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Kerry Blue Terrier?

    Carolina Dogs have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Kerry Blue Terriers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Carolina Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Kerry Blue Terriers?

    Carolina Dogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Kerry Blue Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Carolina Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Kerry Blue Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Carolina Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Kerry Blue Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Carolina Dog vs. Kerry Blue Terrier

    Carolina Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Kerry Blue Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Carolina Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kerry Blue Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Carolina Dogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Kerry Blue Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Carolina Dog or the Kerry Blue Terrier?

    Carolina Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Kerry Blue Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Carolina Dogs good family dogs? What about Kerry Blue Terriers?

    Carolina Dogs are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

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    Kerry Blue Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Carolina Dogs and Kerry Blue Terriers?

    Carolina Dogs get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Kerry Blue Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Carolina Dog Easier to Train than the Kerry Blue Terrier?

    Carolina Dogs are not easy to train.

    Kerry Blue Terriers are very easy to train.

    Is the Carolina Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Kerry Blue Terrier?

    Carolina Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Kerry Blue Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Carolina Dog or the Kerry Blue Terrier?

    Carolina Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Kerry Blue Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Carolina Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Carolina Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Carolina Dog:

  • Treeing Tennessee Brindle (75 percent match with Carolina Dog). Here is our comparison of the Kerry Blue Terrier vs Treeing Tennessee Brindle.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kerry Blue Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Kerry Blue Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Kerry Blue Terrier:

  • Irish Water Spaniel (78 percent match with Kerry Blue Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Carolina Dog vs Irish Water Spaniel.
  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (79 percent match with Kerry Blue Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Carolina Dog vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Carolina Dog and how the Kerry Blue Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Carolina Dog and of the Kerry Blue Terrier to other breeds:

    Carolina Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Carolina Dog versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Carolina Dog versus Maremma Sheepdog     Carolina Dog versus Siberian Husky     Carolina Dog versus Kuvasz     Carolina Dog versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Carolina Dog versus Chorkie     Carolina Dog versus Komondor     Carolina Dog versus Irish Water Spaniel     Carolina Dog versus Sealyham Terrier     Carolina Dog versus Finnish Spitz     Carolina Dog versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Carolina Dog versus Bordoodle     Carolina Dog versus Lhasapoo     Carolina Dog versus Azawakh     Carolina Dog versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Carolina Dog versus Bullmastiff     Carolina Dog versus Havanese     Carolina Dog versus Canaan Dog     Carolina Dog versus Stabyhoun     Carolina Dog versus Shiba Inu     Carolina Dog versus Barbet     Carolina Dog versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Carolina Dog versus Shih Tzu     Carolina Dog versus Peek A Poo     Carolina Dog versus Harrier     

    Kerry Blue Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kerry Blue Terrier versus Basenji     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund     Kerry Blue Terrier versus American Foxhound     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Miniature Poodle     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Shiranian     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Valley Bulldog     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Stabyhoun     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Belgian Tervuren     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Black Mouth Cur     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Affenpinscher     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Silky Terrier     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Pug     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Bichon Frise     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Mal Shi     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Kishu Ken     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Rottweiler     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Carolina Dog     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Boykin Spaniel     Kerry Blue Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Goldador     

    Conclusion: Carolina Dog versus Kerry Blue Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Carolina Dog and the Kerry Blue Terrier better suits you and your family.