Glen of Imaal Terrier

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Breed Details

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Breed Rating

Breed Details

General

The Glen of Imaal Terrier originated in Ireland and was bred to hunt badgers, foxes, and rodents. They are related to the Irish Terrier, Wheaten Terrier, and Kerry Blue Terrier. Their name comes from the region in Ireland from which they began to be bred. These dogs were used in pit fights that owners and gamblers alike would bet on. The Glen of Imaal was also used for manual labor in a wheel shaped contraption that they would run in. As they ran the machine would slowly spin a long rod that would sear meat like an old age rotisserie!

These dogs have a shaggy coat and a long athletic body. The Glen of Imaal has a disproportionate body that is longer than it is tall. This breed has large ears that prick half way up as well as a rectangular shaped muzzle that is very powerful. Their tail is naturally long but is docked for show purposes. These dogs slightly resemble the Welsh Corgi in body shape and the West Highland White Terrier in facial expression.

This breed is a lively, playful, exuberant dog that has a bit of a stubborn streak. They are devoted to their owners and the family but will be less welcoming of new people to the household. Upon a couple of meetings, this breed will warm up and become much friendlier. The Glen of Imaal will make perfect family dogs as they adore children! This breed will be suitable in an environment that has no other pets because they are not as outgoing with other dogs and consider smaller animals such as cats, hamsters, rabbits etc. prey and will chase these.

Color

The Bull Terrier comes in solid white, brindle, fawn, red, tri-colour and black. Most commonly seen are the solid white and brindle colouring.

Coat

This breed has a double layered coat that has a thick, soft under layer and a tougher, more harsh textured outer coat. This will help them stay much warmer in colder temperatures when hunting alongside their owners. Their coat will need moderate grooming as they should be brushed about twice per week. Bathes should be given every 2-3 months and they will need to have their fur stripped about twice a year.

Personality

The Glen of Imaal is a tough, scrappy dog that has a soft spot for their families. They are muscular hunters that are agile, intelligent and tenacious. They are hard working and extremely loyal to their owners and have a harsh attitude when it comes to hunting down their prey. It is said that the only way these dogs will release their grip from their prey is to force open their jaws! The Glen of Imaal has an intense love for their owners and are affectionate, playful and energetic. These dogs will make great family pets or working dogs for people that are looking for a loyal and hardworking breed. This dog has an arrogant attitude but it exhibits his character about his confidence. They are outgoing and passionate dogs that need an owner who will be able to train, live with, and share their lifestyle with, as these types of dogs need owners who will be willing to go the extra mile with them!

Care

This breed will need to be brushed on a weekly basis as their coat is long and thick which will promote tangles and mats. Bathing will not need to be done often unless the dog dirties themselves but yearly stripping of their coat will be needed at least twice. The Glen of Imaal Terrier is prone to skin allergies and some eye diseases, one being Progressive Retinal Atrophy. On the whole this dog is a very healthy breed.

Training

The Glen of Imaal will need strict and firm training. These dogs are smart but have a stubborn attitude that will need to be worked on. Gentle methods are necessary but firm consistency and repetition will be the only way to train this breed. They have a high motivation to please their owners so once training is completely understood they show excellent understanding.

Activity

This breed will need daily long walks to burn off their energy. They play the majority of the day which usually tires them out but will still need more exercise. Trips to an area where they can run around would also be great for these dogs to play or chase a ball. The Glen of Imaal will do okay in an apartment as long as they have their daily exercise. A fenced in backyard would be ideal but isn't necessary for this breed.