Brittany vs Kerry Blue Terrier
Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.
Not sure which breed fits your life?
Answer five questions about your home, your schedule, and your tolerance for shedding. We’ll match you to your top three breeds from over 200.
Brittany vs Kerry Blue Terrier
People compare Brittanys and Kerry Blue Terriers because they’re both medium-sized, energetic dogs with coats that won’t leave your couch looking like a snowstorm hit it. But that’s where the similarities fade. If you’re torn between them, you’re really choosing between a high-strung athlete and a feisty, opinionated character with a perm. The Brittany is all forward motion. Bred to sprint through fields pointing at birds, this dog lives for movement and mental challenges. It’s eager to please, picks up commands fast, and thrives with runners, hikers, or hunting families. But don’t expect it to settle in an apartment or tolerate long solo stretches. Left alone too much, it’ll chew your baseboards out of boredom. The Kerry Blue? It’s a terrier through and through. Smart, yes. but independent, with a tendency to bark at the mailman, the squirrel, and sometimes the toaster. It bonds intensely with its people and adores older kids, but its prey drive means it might not play nice with small pets. And while it sheds almost nothing. great for allergies. its curly coat needs weekly grooming or it’ll turn into a matted disaster. Here’s the real difference: Brittanys want to follow your lead. Kerrys want to negotiate. You’ll train a Brittany. You’ll convince a Kerry. Pick a Brittany if you’re active and want a joyful, trainable partner. Choose a Kerry if you’ve got experience with strong-willed dogs and don’t mind a diva with loyalty to match. The surprise? Both need jobs. An idle Brittany becomes destructive. An untrained Kerry becomes the boss.
Trait-by-trait
Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.Where they diverge
Choose the Brittany if…
- Active families
- Hunters
- Runners and hikers
- You value good with other dogs — Brittany scores noticeably higher.
Choose the Kerry Blue Terrier if…
- Experienced terrier owners
- Active families
- Allergy sufferers
- You value affectionate w/ family — Kerry Blue Terrier scores higher here.

