GLEN OF IMALL TERRIER Breed Standards
The origins of the Glen of Imaal Terrier are obscured by the mists of time, but it can be said for certain that this is a very ancient breed. Named for the Glen of Imaal in County Wicklow, Ireland, the Glen is considered to be indigenous to Ireland. Though the Glen of Imaal Terrier’s isolation in the forbidding Glen area of southern Ireland has resulted in its being relatively unknown to the world, and indeed to the rest of Ireland, for most of its history, the people of the Wicklow area have been familiar with the breed for thousands of years. The Glen of Imaal Terrier is a phenomenally versatile dog, and an invaluable asset on the farm. The dog was a champion hunter of fox, badger and rat, as well as a pit fighter and turnspit dog. (A turnspit dog does just that: it runs in a wheel in the kitchen, turning the spit and ensuring that meat is evenly cooked).
Very few turnspit dogs made it through the Industrial Revolution, as this job was largely taken over by more advanced technology, but in a bizarre twist of fate the Glen of Imaal Terrier’ total concentration in a very small part of the world was actually responsible for its salvation. The remote Glen area of Ireland remained rural and largely untouched by technological innovation in the 19th century, and the Glen of Imaal Terrier was still working away into the 1900s. In 1934, the Glen of Imaal Terrier became the third terrier recognized by the Irish Kennel Club, and the dog began to appear in shows, where its sharp badger hunting skills were put on display. World War II led to a downturn in the dog’s numbers, but renewed breeding afterward kept the breed alive.
SKILLS: The Glen of Imaal Terrier named for the region in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland where it was developed long ago, is a medium sized working terrier. Longer than tall and sporting a double coat of medium length, the Glen possesses great strength and should always convey the impression of maximum substance for size of dog. Unrefined to this day, the breed still possesses "antique" features once common to many early terrier types; its distinctive head with rose or half-prick ears, its bowed forequarters with turned out feet, its unique outline and topline are hallmarks of the breed and essential to the breed type.
SIZE: Height - The maximum height is 14 inches with a minimum of 12½ inches, measured at the highest point of the shoulder blades. Weight - Weight is approximately 35 pounds, bitches somewhat less; however, no Glen in good condition and otherwise well-balanced shall be penalized for being slightly outside the suggested weight. Length - The length of body, measured from sternum to buttocks, and height measured from the highest point of the shoulder blades to ground, to be in a ratio of approximately 5 (length) to 3 (height). The overall balance is more important than any single specification.
COAT: Medium length, of harsh texture with a soft undercoat. The coat may be tidied to present a neat outline characteristic of a rough-and-ready working terrier. Over trimming of dogs is undesirable.
Color - Wheaten, blue or brindle. Wheaten includes all shades from cream to red wheaten. Blue may range from silver to deepest slate, but not black. Brindle may be any shades but is most commonly seen as blue brindle, a mixture of dark blue, light blue, and tan hairs in any combination or proportion.
CARE REQUIRED: The Glen is easy to groom, but it does require stripping twice a year. Cut under the tail with scissors as needed. The hair in the ears should be plucked out regularly and the hair between the pads of the feet should also be removed. Show dogs require a lot more grooming. This breed sheds little to no hair.
CHARACTER: The Glen loves to run and play, however it will adapt its exercise needs to the family situation.
EXERCISE: Game and spirited with great courage when called upon, otherwise gentle and docile. Although generally less easily excited than other terriers, the Glen is always ready to give chase. When working they are active, agile, silent and dead game.
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: The Glen of Imaal Terrier will do okay in an apartment. They are moderately active indoors and will do okay without a yard. The Glen can sleep outdoors if the weather is not too extreme, but they would much rather be indoors with their owners.
TRAINING: They are sensitive to correction. Training should always be consistent with some play in every session. They respond well to obedience training and can be taught to retrieve. Glens are keen to learn, but they sometimes try to dominate and can be stubborn.
