Little Pawz -- Glen of Imaal Terrier -- Small Dogs -- Small Dog Breed Information -- Toy Dogs -- Miniature Dogs -- Dog Breeds

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: Dogs: 14 inches (35.5 cm); Bitches: 13 inches (33 cm)
Weight: 29 – 35 lbs. (13 – 16 kg)

Coat and Colour
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. 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.

Exercise
Moderate, regular walks and off-the-lead runs will keep your Glen of Imaal Terrier in fine fettle.

Grooming
Normal daily brushing and minimal coat trimming are all that's needed to keep your Glen of Imaal Terrier looking its best.

Feeding
Recommended would be 1 – 1 1/2 cans (13.3 oz 376 g size) name-brand dog food with a biscuit, or 3 cups of a dry dog food. Always provide an ample supply of fresh water for your Glen of Imaal Terrier.

Origin and History
There is a glen, Imaal, in the Wicklow mountains that has always been, and still is, celebrated for its terriers. This 19th-century reference is to the beguiling Irish breed we now know as the Glen of Imaal Terrier.

The Glen of Imaal Terrier was initially bred to rid the home and farm of vermin, and hunt badger and fox; these rugged dogs also had a unique task for which they were expressly designed to perform (they were turnspit dogs). The turnspit was a large wheel paddled by the dog turning a spit over the hearth — a canine propelled rotisserie, if you will. The Glen's highly individualized bowed front legs, well-padded loin and powerful hindquarters were ideally suited for this. For several hundred years, these hearty dogs performed their chores in this remote corner of Ireland unnoticed by all except those who treasured them.

With the advent of dog shows in the latter half of the 19th century, the breed began to emerge into the public eye. There are documented reports of Glens at Irish dog shows as early as 1878. In 1934, the Glen of Imaal Terrier was given full recognition by the Irish Kennel Club. It was the third of four terrier breeds of Ireland to be so acknowledged. The Kennel Club of England followed suit in 1975.

There are sporadic reports of Glens emigrating to America with their owners as early as 1930; however, the breed did not gain a foothold in America until the 1980's when several dedicated breeders and fanciers imported foundation stock from Ireland and the United Kingdom. In 1986, these same pioneers founded the Glen of Imaal Terrier Club of America.

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