Glen of Imaal Terrier

Although it may not be the most well-known terrier breed, the Glen of Imaal Terrier is undoubtedly one of the most distinctive. Originally bred for hard labor in the untamed Irish valley of Glen of Imaal, this small but robust dog was tough. This terrier, renowned for its bravery, strength, and devotion, is a hard worker with a big heart.

The Glen of Imaal Terrier, despite its working heritage, is an excellent companion. Along with their terrier independence and energy, they are renowned for being kind and loving toward their families. Their distinctive appearance—a low body and wiry coat—adds to their allure.

This post will teach you everything you need to know about Glen of Imaal Terriers, whether you’re interested in their background or if they seem like a good fit for your house.

Characteristic	Description
Origin	Ireland
Size	Small to medium, around 32-35 cm tall
Weight	Typically 14-16 kg
Coat	Double-layered, rough on the outside, soft underneath
Color	Wheaten, blue, brindle
Temperament	Brave, loyal, and friendly
Energy level	Moderate, needs regular exercise
Lifespan	12-14 years

Characteristics of the Glen of Imaal Terrier breed

Among Irish terriers, Glen of Imaal is the rarest breed. It was developed especially to hunt burrows. They can withstand a badger or fox because they are strong, robust, and have short, powerful legs. They fight the animal and get him out of the hole instead of barking to get him to come out, thanks to their fearlessness. As a result, these terriers occasionally bark and get into arguments with other dogs.

The Glen can guard the home and herd cattle in addition to hunting. These dogs, whose ability to run for extended periods of time without tiring, were previously employed to turn various mechanisms. They are also skilled athletes. However, they are kept more frequently as family dogs and companions.

Parameters	Characteristics
name	Glen of Imaal Terrier (English. Glen of Imaal Terrier)
country	Ireland
FCI classification	medium terriers
life expectancy	10-15 years
height	25-35 cm
weight	13-16 kg

Pros

This working dog is gregarious and full of energy. However, because of its small stature and serene disposition, it is a great companion for owners who are active. One can observe the following benefits in the Glen:

• playful, cheerful;
• strong, hardy;
• good-natured, affectionate;
• gets along well with children;
• skilled hunter and good guard;
• Barks little;
• Almost no fur sheds;
• Unpretentious in food and care.

Cons

These dogs have a balanced temperament, but that doesn’t mean that everyone should own one. Homebodies or inexperienced dog owners shouldn’t keep them. Glens require strenuous walking on long walks. They also have a number of additional drawbacks:

• they love to dig – they dig up beds, they can dig under a fence;
• do not get along well with pets;
• independent and wayward.

History of origin

The origin of the breed is indicated by its name. The Irish county of Wicklow’s Imaal Valley served as its breeding ground. The translation of Glen of Imaal Terrier is "terrier from the Imaal Valley."

It is thought by researchers that the breed’s inception dates back to the 17th century. At that time, the valley was home to retired British soldiers. It was a harsh place with lots of rocks and swamps. People needed sturdy assistance dogs. They started introducing local terriers and the low-growing hounds they had brought with them.

The resulting canines had short legs and were powerful. They were employed for dog fights, rodent extermination, and property and home security. Subsequently, the breed gained popularity for fox and badger burrow hunting. It first went on display in the 1800s.

The breed was acknowledged and categorized as a local terrier in Ireland at the start of the 20th century. It was only formally acknowledged by the FCI in 1975. A standard was created and it was named Glen of Imaal Terrier. These days, they are uncommon outside of Ireland and are few in number.

Appearance

Among Irish terriers, Glen of Imaal is the smallest. Despite having a similar appearance, it resembles an Australian, Norfolk, Norwich, or Cairn Terrier more. However, differences from them can be seen even in photos. This dog is stocky and grows slowly; its maximum height is 35.5 cm. But at up to 16 kg, it has a powerful, robust build. As a result, the breed was categorized with other large and medium terriers.

Head

The skull is broad and rounded, and the head is large. The muzzle is long and taper smoothly to the nose, with a distinct stop. Big and black earlobes. The teeth are strong, the jaws powerful. The lips are narrow and form a tight seal.

The tiny, triangular ears are spaced widely apart. They can be relaxed and semi-erect when things are quiet. The eyes are medium in size, round, and dark brown. Their bushy eyebrows shield them from dirt. The expression is happy and focused.

Body

The body is squat, muscular, and elongated. The ribs are rounded and the chest is broad and full. The abdomen is somewhat tucked in. The croup is slightly elevated, and the back is straight. The tail is elongated and elevated. Usually held aloft, it resembles a sword. Half-length docked is common.

Limbs

Though short, the legs are powerful and muscular. While not clubfooted, the front feet should be turned slightly out to the sides. A little longer in the hindfoot and with strong thighs. These dogs’ unique leg structure allows them to sit with their bodies held vertically.

Paws are oval-shaped, robust, and compact. Digging is a good use for forefoots. Free, nimble, sweeping motions are made with a powerful push from the hind legs.

Coat and colors

Coat is medium length, hard, and protrudes. It forms a beard, bangs, and mustache on the head. The body wears it shaggy. Thicker and softer undercoat.

Colors: various tones of blue, wheat, gray, and occasionally fawn or brindle. While lighter coloring of the head, belly, and limbs is common, white spots are undesirable. Puppies may have a back stripe and a black mask, but as they get older, their coats get lighter.

Additional images of these canines:

Character traits

The hardy, active Glen of Imaal Terrier is also an accomplished and enthusiastic hunter. It rarely barks, in contrast to other burrowing dogs, but it can guard the house and is suspicious of strangers. Glen can get into fights with other dogs and is courageous, leaping to defend his owner.

This is a loving, committed pet at home. He develops a strong bond with his owner, gets along well with all family members, and adores kids. Glen is peaceful, quiet, and non-obtrusive at home if he gets enough walks and is allowed to run outside. He is able to lie next to someone calmly. However, this is an inquisitive dog who enjoys playing, running, and object hunting. He also tries to go everywhere with his owner and take part in all of his activities.

These animals typically alert their owners to strangers by barking infrequently. They have a deep, coarse voice, akin to that of a large dog. Despite their protectiveness of their family members, they do not act aggressively toward others. They are prone to fights, disagreements with other dogs, and dislikes cats, birds, and rodents in particular because they hunt them.

Glens are smart, quick-witted, but because of their stubbornness and waywardness, it is difficult to educate them. Can be trained only by a strong-willed owner, prone to dominance. If the owner gains authority, the dog will obey him unquestioningly, although it may ignore other family members.

Training ought to be dynamic, and exercises involving playful commands should be performed. This dog becomes submissive and does not cause issues if socialization occurs on time and proper education is provided.

These dogs are easygoing and adaptable to both indoor and outdoor living. The most important things are that they engage in physical activity and communicate with the owner. It is important to consider that a terrier may dig up the beds or burrow under the fence and escape when boarding in a private home with a plot.

Glen needs to go for an hour-long walk twice a day if he lives in an apartment. He enjoys active games and nature walks. Insufficient physical activity can lead to misbehavior at home and potentially become uncontrollable.

The following pets are easy to care for:

• comb the wool weekly;
• 1-2 times a year will require trimming, more often for show dogs;
• once a week, clean the ears;
• keep the eyes clean and remove hairs from them every day;
• wipe the mustache and beard after eating;
• treat for parasites;
• bathe once every 1-2 months;
• check the claws monthly and trim them if they have grown too long.

These dogs will gladly consume both natural and commercial food because they have an unassuming diet. All you have to do is keep an eye on the quantity; you can’t overfeed them because they are prone to obesity. It is also important to remember that adult members of the breed are not advised to consume a diet high in protein. For this reason, you should feed them cereals, veggies, kefir, greens, and some fruits in addition to meat and offal.

Glens can live up to 15 years, and like most terriers, they have good health and a robust immune system. Occasionally, dermatitis, allergies, joint issues, and eye disorders can occur, particularly on the paws.

A fascinating breed-related video:

Video: Imaal Terrier’s Glen: A tiny but powerful place

Glen of Imaal Terrier Puppies

This breed has many kennels, mostly in Ireland. There are also lone breeders in Finland, Poland, and a few other European nations. It’s unknown in Russia if it will be difficult to locate a puppy. As a result, you must get in touch with European nurseries. Representatives of this breed cost between 1000 and 1200 pounds sterling in Ireland and between 800 and 1200 euros in Europe. It is crucial to carefully review the execution of all paperwork before purchasing a puppy.

A distinctive and endearing breed, the Glen of Imaal Terrier adds a lot of personality to any house. If the right family is around, they are playful, devoted, and wonderful companions—especially for those who value their independence.

Despite their small size, they are highly energetic and need regular exercise to maintain their happiness and health. They can get along with kids and other pets and make wonderful additions to many homes with the right training and socialization.

The Glen of Imaal Terrier might be the ideal choice for you if you’re searching for a robust, low-maintenance dog with a big heart and an energetic demeanor.

The Glen of Imaal Terrier is a sturdy, devoted, and industrious breed distinguished by its peaceful demeanor and close bond with its family. This unusual terrier was first bred in Ireland for farm work and hunting. It is gentle and tough, making it a wonderful companion for both individuals and families. The Glen of Imaal Terrier, despite its small stature, has a lively personality and thrives in both indoor and outdoor environments.

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