Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier

Blue brindle or wheaten (light to reddish wheat colour). Puppies may be born with darker markings that will fade.

Double: a harsh outer and soft inner coat.

As the FCI standard puts it: “great strength with the impression of maximum substance for the size of the dog.” Brilliant! This tough shortie does indeed pack a lot of pup into its package, and is in fact an achondroplastic dwarf breed, meaning her genetics have led to her having shorter arms and legs for a more commonly-sized mid-length torso. But let’s talk about the outer layers! The Glen’s significantly weighty head is furnished with a tapered muzzle, rose or prick-category ears, and an expression of calmly intense dogliness. Her harsh, tousled hair adds impact to her tubular croquette of a torso, leading back to a pipe-cleaner tail that is often docked.

This dog comes with plenty of affection per inch. She is a sweet and docile companion dog with an endearing personality.

The Glennie is a keen player of games and mischievous tricks.

She is calm compared to most terriers.

The Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier is pretty intelligent and a fast learner.

Although her work ethic has often been turned to less glamorous tasks, the Glennie is actually a born hunter and has frequently been used to hunt badgers, as well as being a useful deterrent of rodents.

She is sociable towards humans; neither fearful or aggressive.

She is very attached to her social group, but her terrier temperament could lead her astray.

She can tolerate alone time is she has been positively accustomed from a young age.

She is keen and fast to learn and will appreciate this stimulating time with her people.

Not really, and certainly much less than most terriers.

She will make a bolt for it given the opportunity and the right distraction, so a garden should be made secure if it is to hold her.

If not stimulated and exercised to the appropriate levels the Glen may well engage in acts of undisciplined deconstruction.

Treats are a welcome motivator for training.

She is a poor guard dog because she doesn’t bark much, and isn’t very dissuasive.

The Glen can make a great first dog for those with the energy to provide the lifestyle she needs.

A Glen can do okay in a flat but she’d really prefer something with a garden. This short-legged tyke will also suffer if repeatedly made to climb stairs.

She is a sporty little working dog and needs a fair amount of exercise to keep her fit and sane.

The Glen is quite a delight to travel with, but take her for a walk first to burn off some energy.

She will get on well with a cat with whom she is raised; any other cat will be considered a potential hunting object.

Unfortunately, since she was once used as a fighting dog, she can be quarrelsome with others.

She is kind, gentle and calm with the children. She also enjoys playing with them (under adult supervision of course).

The Glen can make a good companion for older people who are able to train and exercise her to the appropriate extent.

Not too bad if the afore-mentioned grooming standards are upheld.

Glens are generally known to be healthy dogs, although susceptible to a handful of genetic issues as detailed below.

This is altogether a sturdy little dog, but she can sometimes be injured if she goes hunting.

She can work in all weathers.

She doesn’t fear the cold, and can live outside if necessary.

Not especially.

• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) 
• Hip dysplasia 
• Atopy
• Skin Allergies

The Irish Glen is an authentic olde tyme dog, kept by Flemish and lowland soldiers on the land that they received in Ireland as a reward from Britain for quelling the 1570 rebellion. She seems to have been a result of crossing the little dogs they brought with them with the native Irish dogs. Since they were farm dogs, only the strongest thrived, and so she became the toughie she is today.