Glen of Imaal terriers are self-governing , fun - hump firedog with big personalities . Learn more about living with these intelligent Irish pups .
Glen of Imaal terrier are sweet , spunky frump who acclaim from the rocky seacoast of Ireland . Originally developed to help farmers hunt badger and foxes , today , Glen of Imaal terriers makewonderful family pets . These independent , intelligent dogsare incredibly easy to love thanks to their affectionate and often cockamamy personalities , adaptability , and moderate exercise motivation . They’restill rare in the United States , though when you do see one of these witching dogs out and about , it ’s virtually impossible to resist the urge to stop and say hello .
" They are quite reasoning , have a lot of character , and areeasy to aim , " sound out Laura Robinson , DVM , veterinary advisor forPawp . " They have a lot of personality and spirit and tend to be courageous and plucky but also stoical and smart . "
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Appearance
It ’s hard not to rent out a squeal of pleasure when you see a Glen of Imaal terrier . These teddy bear - like dogs aremedium - sizedand perfectly endearing , thanks to their cheerful browned eyes , clitoris - shaped noses , and perpetual smiles .
Glen of Imaal terriers typically stand between 12.5–14 inches tall and librate between 32–40 pounds . They have scruffy , wiry two-fold coats that by and large come in just two color : whole-wheat andblue brindle . Their forked coating is made up of a piano undercoat and a coarser out coat that is weather - resistant . Though mostly hidden from view by their fatheaded coating , their body are mesomorphic , strong , and sturdy ; they run to be longer than they are grandiloquent .
This breed has scant leg that end with paw that are slenderly turn out . Their small , triangular - shaped spike tend to give ear loosely when loosen up , but then become half pricked — meaning they stand up halfway up but then close over on themselves — when the dog is alert or listening for something ( like a passing squirrel or his intellectual nourishment roll being fill up ) .
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Some Glen of Imaal terrier stock breeder and owner dock their dogs ' tail to half their full length . But tail dockage remains a controversial drill that theAmerican Veterinary Medical Associationsays communicate no proven benefits — and it can be painful for the animal .
Temperament
Glen of Imaal dogs are savvy , independent pooches with plenty of energy for work and play . Theirtemperament tend to be calmeroverall than other high - energy terrier , which can make them a good paroxysm for some family . They ’re improbably affectionate with their human companions , but they do n’t be given to beg for aid like some breeds .
" This rarefied stock is renowned for its fearless and confident disposition , " say Linda Simon , MVB , MRCVS , consult veterinarian atFiveBarks . " They are ego - insure and well-fixed in their own skin [ and ] not prone to anxiety . "
Glen of Imaal terriers be given to be sheer — they " playact like a big Canis familiaris in a little dog ’s consistence , " Simon sound out . Though they enjoy playing , they ’re also as as felicitous to curl up on their proprietor ’s overlap for an even of snuggles . These terrier are alsogood with child , though it ’s always of import for parents to supervise interactions between untested unity and their four - legged friends . Though they ’re moderately diminutive , Glens are solidly built , so they can easily knock over bambino by fortuity .
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" They do get along with children but are strong and may represent too rough with small children , " Robinson says .
These by and large gentle dogs tend tobark only when necessary , and they ’re jolly open-eyed when it comes to a livery person or another alien walk up to the front door . And while they ’re relatively open to meeting newfangled hoi polloi , they may take a few moments to warm up up and show their personality .
Living Needs
glen are highly adaptable dog who can prosper in any environment , whether that ’s the sprawling land area of a farm or the cosy room ofa small house or apartment .
No matter their living arrangement , Glens postulate asecurely fenced yardand should always bewalked on a lasting trinity — they’re curious and inquisitive , which mean they could easily scat off while go after a particularly interesting smell . Some Glenshave a inclination to dig , so owners should on a regular basis inspect the fenceline and address any current or future escape maw .
While Glen of Imaal terriers do n’t have the always - on - the - go DOE of other terrier , they do need to stretch their minuscule ramification every day . They ’re happiest when they can get outside for some fresh air in the yard , take a easy walk , orplay with their owners . They do n’t make the best run fellow because their legs are so scant , but they ’re always up relinquish on a gondola ride(especially when they have a chance to sniffle out the windows ! ) .
" Versatile and acrobatic , they can excel in a range of disciplines and enjoy sustain fit , " Simon says . " However , they do not need a huge amount of exercise and could make suitable urban ducky if taken for a retentive walk each Clarence Day . "
Glen of Imaal terrier are successful in some dog activities and rival , includingagility , rally , and earthdog . SomeGlens have intercourse to float , but it look on the individual andiron — overall , the strain ’s short leg and large body mean that these dogs are not especially well - suited for H2O , so owner should always work out caution near swim pool , lakes , and flow . Putting them in acute doggy life jacketis always a smart idea , too .
Glens can happily live with hotdog and , in some circumstances , cats — especially those that they were raised with since they were puppies . That being say , these terriers were originally develop to hunt small vermin and they have astrong prey drive , so they ’re not the best burst for households with other low mammals ( like hamsters or greaseball pigs ) , and they may not be suitable for all homes with cat .
And because they ’re most comfortable being around dogs they ’re very familiar with , Glens are n’t normally dependable contenders fortrips to the dog car park .
" They tend to do well as the only pet in the house , though [ they ] can get on well with other heel they ’ve develop up with , " aver Simon .
Care
Thanks to their wiry , medium - length double coating , these Irish heel require some special sustenance when it do to grooming . Glen of Imaal terrier look ( and sense ! ) their good when their coat has been hand - pillage , a procedure that regard cautiously take away aged hairs , particularly from the ground , to make elbow room for raw growth . This is well done by an experienced professional groomer two or three times a yr , but Glen of Imaal terrier owners can also instruct how to do it themselves . Regular hand - stripping will alsopractically eliminate sloughing , according to theGlen of Imaal Terrier Club of America ( GITCA ) .
In between stripping academic session , owners shouldbrush their dog ’s furonce a week to clear out debris and prevent any mats from forming , give particular attention to the soft hair on the dog ’s belly , legs , neck , and ears . To keep Glens comfortable while run and walk , owners shouldtrim their dog ’s nailsregularly using either agrinder or clipper tool(a groomer can also help with this , too ) .
Because they ’re so levelheaded , training a Glen of Imaal terrier puppy is in the main well-situated . That said , these hotdog are also very independent , so keep training sessions short , piquant , and fun . Glen of Imaal terriers thrive when they’rerewarded with positive reinforcementlike pets and scratches , treats , and plenty of praise . They also do well in structured training environments likepuppy obedience classes , which have the added benefit ofhelping to socialise them .
Health
Glen of Imaal terriers typicallylead long , sizeable life . Their expected life-time is between 10–15 years , though they may encounter a fistful of genetic wellness issues along the way . This stock can be susceptible tohip dysplasia , cubitus dysplasia , and certaineye diseasessuch as cone rod dystrophy , whichcan lead to cecity .
Some Glens alsosuffer from allergies , accord to theGITCA . The breed may also be at risk of infection for rise premature closedown of the distal elbow bone , a very unspeakable shape that can lead to abnormal growth of the blackguard ’s front legs .
fortunately , responsible Glen of Imaal terrier breeders screen their dogs for these conditions , performing hip evaluations , elbow valuation , ophthalmologist evaluation , and DNA rating to train for eye diseases . Before bringing home a Glen of Imaal terrier puppy , ask your breeder for all available wellness information and screening result .
Glens can easilyreach an insalubrious weightif their owners are n’t careful to feed themappropriate amounts of foodand treats and see to it they get sufficient recitation . Aveterinarian can declare oneself adviceon sustenance and utilization base on an individual dog ’s frame and tendency .
Owners should also be sure to regularlyclean their Glen of Imaal terrier ’s earsandbrush his teethto prevent infections and other result in the future . A vet can also help you determine whether your Glen take aprofessional dentition cleaningand , if so , how often .
History
Do n’t let the Glen of Imaal terrier ’s melt - your - inwardness prettiness arse around you into cogitate these heel are snuggly purse pooches . On the contrary , they ’re incredibly tough and powerful , thanks in large part to their heritage . Glens hail from a rocky , remote region on the easterly coast of Ireland , which made them incredibly tough and hardy .
They were earlier develop to hunt badgers and dodger , according to the GITCA , though they in reality had a routine of different jobs on Ireland ’s mountainous farm . Some Glen of Imaal terrier dogs , for instance , learned how to walk on a bike to help release nitty-gritty on a expectoration over a fire — their strong legs made them ideal for the job .
The stock made it to the U.S. in the early 1930s , but the American Kennel Club did n’t recognize the stock until 2004 . Today , Glen of Imaal terriers remain comparatively uncommon stateside .
