The Glen of Imaal (pronounced E-Mahl) Terrier is a very old breed of dogs used by the farmers of Glen of Imaal valley, Ireland, (hence the name) to hunt foxes and badgers.
It was bred to be a fearless fighter and tireless hunter and also to keep company to the family members. As a result, the Glen evolved into an all-round working dog and gentle, loyal family pet. The Glen is easy to upkeep, sturdy and very undemanding. He is an ideal house and apartment dog, but be careful: some Glens can be string-willed and domineering and will need firm and consistent handling and discipline. They are the quietest of all the terriers, and were bred and trained not to bark at their prey.
The Irish Kennel Club officially recognized the breed in 1934.
The Glen of Imaal Terrier is recognized by most major dog registries, including American Kennel Club, United Kennel Club, New Zealand Kennel Club, The Kennel Club (UK) and Australia National Kennel Council.
Photo courtesy of www.lechien.ch
Glen of Imaal Terrier Breed Outline
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FCI Official Name: | Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier |
| AKC Name: | Glen of Imaal Terrier |
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Other Names: | Glen |
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Country of Origin: | Ireland |
| FCI Classification: |
Group 3: Terriers. Section 1: Large and medium sized Terriers. Without working trial. |
| Utilization: | Companion Dog |
| UKC Classification: |
Terriers or Companion Dogs |
| Personality: | The Glen of Imaal Terrier is agile, active, spirited, gentle, docile and very loyal to his family. |
| Size | Weight: up to 35 pounds for males;
Height: maximum 14 inches. The AKC, ANKC and KC (UK) will not penalize the dog if its weight is outside the prescribed limits. The NZKC's and KC's height upper limit is 14.5 inches. The FCI. standard is based on the standard of the member club of the country of origin - Ireland and its height and weight requirements are 14 inches and 35 pounds accordingly. |
| Colors: |
Blue brindle, wheaten, from a light wheaten color to a golden reddish shade. Puppies may be born colored blue, wheaten, or reddish. Lighter colored puppies usually have an inky blue mask, and there may also be a streak of blue down the back, on the tail, and on the ears. The darker markings will clear with maturity. |
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Life Span: | 13-15 years |
| Grooming Requirements: |
Glens are very easy to groom and require some trimming twice a year. They should be bathed only when needed. |
| Shedding: | This breed does not shed, or may shed very little hair. |
| Social skills: |
Glens get along with other animals, but may chase cats. |
| Suitability for Children: | Patient and gentle with children. Be careful: despite their small size, Glens are very strong and small children should not be allowed to hold an adult Glen on a leash. |
| Exercise Needs: | Needs daily exercise on leash. |
| Train Ability: | Very easy to train. Sometimes Glens can be stubborn and independent, but they respond well to praise and are quite sensitive to harsh tone of voice. |
| Health Issues: | The Glen likes to eat and can easily become overweight. A balanced diet is highly recommended. There have been reported incidents of Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and aortic stenosis |
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Negative Characteristics: | Glen of Imaal Terriers like to chase other animals. Although they are not barkers, their bark is deep and loud. They get bored when left alone for long hours and can become destructive. |
Glen Imaal Terrier Puppies
The Glen of Imaal Terrier belongs to terrier dog group. Most of the dogs in this group are relatively small in size, but, despite this, they are usually spirited and independent. Although many terriers were originally kept on farms, often as rat catchers, they have made a transition to household pets quite readily; to the extent that a number of them rank among the best-known breeds in the world. Their alert and curious nature, and their tendency to explore underground, means that they are more inclined to dig than other breeds, and they have an alarming tendency to disappear down rabbit holes when out for a walk. As a result, they are not true lapdogs, although they do make loyal companions. Terriers are usually lively, alert, and extremely plucky. They do not always get on well together, however, and enjoy every opportunity to run around on their own.
Here is a list of popular terrier dog breeds:
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