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

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Chinook Versus Kerry Blue Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook or the Kerry Blue Terrier.

Chinook versus Kerry Blue Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chinook is a large-sized dog while the Kerry Blue Terrier is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Chinook belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Chinook versus Kerry Blue Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chinook 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 Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier

Factor Chinook Kerry Blue Terrier
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Height 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Weight 55 to 70 pounds 33 to 40 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $2000 – $2000
Average Price No Data $1980
Temperament Score 77.8 percent 73.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Eye Examination
  • Factor XI Deficiency
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 177 128

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chinook 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 Chinook is 87 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 Chinook is a better pet than the Kerry Blue Terrier. So, you should get the Chinook!

    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 Chinook 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 Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier

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

  • Chinooks get along well with other dogs. However, Kerry Blue Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Chinooks 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.
  • The Similarities Between the Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier

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

  • Both the Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chinook versus Kerry Blue Terrier

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

    Chinooks weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chinooks are 21 to 27 inches tall 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 Chinook versus Kerry Blue Terrier

    The lifespan of Chinooks is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Chinooks 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 Chinook Versus the Kerry Blue Terrier

    The Chinook has a better temperament than the Kerry Blue Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Chinook is 77.8 percent while the temperament score for the Kerry Blue Terrier is 73.5 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 77.8 percent, the Chinook 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 Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 9 Chinooks and 49 Kerry Blue Terriers.

    The Popularity of Chinook versus Popularity of Kerry Blue Terrier

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Kerry Blue Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Chinook. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Kerry Blue Terrier is 128 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Chinook is 177 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Chinook

    Popularity of Chinook

    Popularity of Kerry Blue Terrier

    Popularity of Kerry Blue Terrier

    Year Chinook Popularity Rank Kerry Blue Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 156 126
    2014 171 128
    2015 177 124
    2016 175 127
    2017 179 129
    2018 190 129
    2019 184 133
    2020 186 133

    Health Problems of Chinook versus Health Problems of Kerry Blue Terrier

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Kerry Blue Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Chinook.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Kerry Blue Terrier than for the Chinook.

    3 health tests are recommended for Chinook while 6 tests are recommended for the Kerry Blue Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chinooks and in Kerry Blue Terriers.

    Chinook Health Problems

    Chinooks are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chinook puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Chinook puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chinook breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Chinooks for:

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chinooks here.

    Kerry Blue Terrier Health Problems

    Kerry Blue Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Kerry Blue Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Kerry Blue Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Kerry Blue Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Kerry Blue Terriers for:

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Eye Examination
  • Factor XI Deficiency
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Kerry Blue Terriers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Chinooks and Kerry Blue Terriers

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Chinook Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Chinook ranks 5 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 52 Chinooks, 5 of them had Patella problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chinooks, and how common these diseases are in Chinooks relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Patella problems: Rank 5 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 63 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 82 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Kerry Blue Terrier Breed is Von Willebrands problems.

    This is because the Kerry Blue Terrier ranks 2 out of 15 dog breeds for Von Willebrands problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 122 Kerry Blue Terriers, 3 of them had Von Willebrands problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Kerry Blue Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Kerry Blue Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Von Willebrands problems: Rank 2 out of 15 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 22 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 51 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 98 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 102 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 158 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Chinook and in Kerry Blue Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier:

    Disease Chinook Rank Kerry Blue Terrier Rank
    Patella problems 5 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 63 out of 198 dog breeds 158 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 82 out of 182 dog breeds 98 out of 182 dog breeds
    Von Willebrands problems Not Common 2 out of 15 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 22 out of 70 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 51 out of 144 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 102 out of 115 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chinook versus Kerry Blue Terrier

    Chinooks do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Chinooks shed more than Kerry Blue Terriers?

    Chinooks 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 Chinook or the Kerry Blue Terrier

    Chinooks 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 Chinook or the Kerry Blue Terrier?

    Chinooks require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

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

    Chinooks have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

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

    Do Chinooks Bark and Howl? What about Kerry Blue Terriers?

    Chinooks 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 Chinooks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Kerry Blue Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chinooks can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Kerry Blue Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chinook vs. Kerry Blue Terrier

    Chinooks do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

    Can Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kerry Blue Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chinooks 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 Chinook or the Kerry Blue Terrier?

    Chinooks get along very well with other dogs.

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

    Are Chinooks good family dogs? What about Kerry Blue Terriers?

    Chinooks are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Chinooks and Kerry Blue Terriers?

    Chinooks get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Chinook Easier to Train than the Kerry Blue Terrier?

    Chinooks are very easy to train.

    Kerry Blue Terriers are very easy to train.

    Is the Chinook Better for Apartment Owners than the Kerry Blue Terrier?

    Chinooks adapt very well to apartment living.

    Kerry Blue Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Chinooks 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 Chinook

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chinook 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 Chinook:

  • Keeshond (76 percent match with Chinook). Here is our comparison of the Kerry Blue Terrier vs Keeshond.
  • King Shepherd (75 percent match with Chinook). Here is our comparison of the Kerry Blue Terrier vs King Shepherd.
  • 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 Chinook vs Irish Water Spaniel.
  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (79 percent match with Kerry Blue Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Chinook vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Chinook Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chinook versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Chinook versus Mastiff     Chinook versus Vizsla     Chinook versus Whippet     Chinook versus Boerboel     Chinook versus Standard Schnauzer     Chinook versus Skye Terrier     Chinook versus Black Russian Terrier     Chinook versus Berger Picard     Chinook versus Affenpinscher     Chinook versus Cockalier     Chinook versus Schipperke     Chinook versus Great Dane     Chinook versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Chinook versus Lancashire Heeler     Chinook versus Great Pyrenees     Chinook versus Hovawart     Chinook versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Chinook versus Cairn Terrier     Chinook versus Karelian Bear Dog     Chinook versus Cane Corso     Chinook versus Shiranian     Chinook versus Australian Kelpie     Chinook versus Whoodle     Chinook versus Scottish Deerhound     

    Kerry Blue Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kerry Blue Terrier versus Labradoodle     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Peek A Poo     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Labrador Retriever     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Pomsky     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Borzoi     Kerry Blue Terrier versus English Cocker Spaniel     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Pomchi     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Whoodle     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Italian Greyhound     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Airedale Terrier     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Doberman Pinscher     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Cockalier     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Kooikerhondje     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Mudi     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Cockalier     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Lhasapoo     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Pomsky     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Golden Retriever     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Stabyhoun     

    Conclusion: Chinook 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 Chinook and the Kerry Blue Terrier better suits you and your family.