Glen of Imaal Terriers
Liberty's Page by Ara Lynn

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The most informative Glen of Imaal Terrier site including Glen sketches by Irish artist Louisa Nally, links to kennels, photos of important foundation dogs and more.

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THE GLEN OF IMAAL TERRIER

ORIGINS AND HISTORY

There is evidence that the Glen of Imaal Terrier is a centuries-old breed, but until recently it has not been well-known even in its native country. It originated in a place called the Glen of Imaal in County Wicklow, Ireland.

Serving as all-around farm dogs, to guard and work livestock, to eradicate vermin, to hunt fox, badger, otter, mink, and so on, these earth dogs (terriers) were also reputedly used to turn kitchen treadmills, spits and churns, and in dog-fighting.

 

The Glen of Imaal Terrier was first recognized by the Irish Kennel Club in 1934, and the Kennel Club of England in 1975. It has been recognized in many countries by Federacion Cynologique Internationale (FCI). After a couple of decades establishing its presence in the United States, the Glen of Imaal Terrier finally achieved full AKC recognition on October 1, 2004.

1934 Irish Kennel Club Show

CHARACTERISTICS

The description of the Glen of Imaal Terrier as an antique breed is probably apt in terms of character as well as conformation. The Glen has retained its qualities of versatility, intelligence and ruggedness. This is not a cookie-cutter breed, and even within a litter there is often variation. Its character and temperament are best described as complex.

It is a tough and fearless dog, and before the badger trials were outlawed in Ireland in 1966, the Glen was required to earn its "Teastas Misneach," or Dead Game Certificate, in order to win a Championship. This meant silently drawing a badger from its den within a specified time. The Glen tends to be a quiet dog in general, barking only when necessary, although a Glen wanting your attention or bemoaning being left alone can have an enormous vocabulary.

In play, Glens tend to prefer games of tackle over tag. While possessing the energy and tenacity of terriers when called upon, the Glen of Imaal has an un-terrier-like, laid-back temperament. It is affectionate and easy-going.

Most Glens are gentle, friendly and trustworthy with children, patient, and not constantly demanding attention. It loves to play, yet also knows how to sit calmly and wait patiently for attention. Although a Glen may choose a special person, it works well as a family dog. It is often happy to make friends with whomever is willing to pay it attention. It is loyal and tends not to wander, and in fact prefers physical proximity to its owner.

It makes an excellent companion and learns quickly, always impressing obedience instructors, although Glen of Imaal Terriers can get bored with formal obedience routines if you are not careful. Glens love agility and earth dog activities, and also make excellent therapy dogs.

Glens have character. They are thinking dogs, and quickly understand what their owners want. They love to please their owners and respond best to positive reinforcement, such as words of praise or a pat, for jobs well done. A verbal scolding is usually sufficient reprimand.

Sometimes, however, Glens can be quite stubborn. Owners must be prepared to be firm and consistent. It is usually best to avoid treats for training Glens, so they don't over-focus on food and owners don't get in the habit of bribing Glens to do their bidding.

Some Glens housetrain very quickly, others require months. Some Glens love the water, others sink like a stone, so owners need to be careful until they are familiar with their dog's aptitude.

We have found the Glen to be an easy dog to live with. It does not thrive in kennels, preferring a human environment where it can use its intelligence and enjoy its owners' companionship. It has few parallels as a weather-hardy, working dog. Adult Glens can easily handle two-mile walks.

Most Glens enjoy riding in the car and do not need tranquilizers for airline travel. Veterinarians who meet Glens marvel at their calm temperament, even as puppies.

Strong dogs both physically and mentally, Glen of Imaal Terriers regard themselves as large dogs and have a hard time imagining that anything--a bigger dog, a car--could hurt them.

Be very careful around roads. As earth dogs, Glens are comfortable being underneath things, and being short, can see right beneath the undercarriage of a vehicle to the other side. Good fences are the best way to prevent problems.

Glens usually prefer to avoid a fight but are fully capable of defending themselves. Some Glens become dog aggressive as they mature, either by nature or in response to aggressive acts by other dogs. Good early socialization and firm guidance may help to avoid this but owners should be observant and use common sense. Occasionally Glens have been known to kill small, yappy, dogs in their own households when they got fed up with the noise and aggression. Glens have also been known to kill cats, raccoons, skunks and porcupines.

However, Glens will usually get along well with other dogs, cats, birds and other pets if they are raised with them from puppy hood. On several occasions we have also successfully re-homed certain adult Glens with cats, depending on the individual dog and knowledgeable owners.

PHYSIQUE

The AKC Standard calls for a shoulder height of 12-1/2 to 14 inches. Glens can be shorter and occasionally taller. Glens typically weigh 35 to 45 pounds, so you can imagine what a muscular, heavy-boned breed this is, with its big head and broad chest. It has a long body, short legs and an oddly rising topline. Its front legs are bowed with its front feet turning out. Its tail is docked at half length. This allows a safe handle for pulling a working Glen out of a hole, as well as a rapid, rat-a-tat-a-tat wag from a happy Glen. Its colors are wheaten (from a light wheaten to a reddish shade), and blue-brindle (from light silvery-blues to very dark). It is a shaggy, double-coated dog which essentially does not shed. Therefore a Glen should be stripped two to three times a year to remove the "dead" hairs, neaten the coat and reduce any tendancy toward matting.

Some people with allergies to dogs can tolerate Glens, but other allergic people develop a reaction that may intensify until the person eventually must give the Glen up. It is best for an allergic person to expose him or herself thoroughly to a Glen before making an ownership commitment. Glens do not have a strong "doggie odor."

CARE

Glens tend to have good appetites and efficient metabolisms. Their food should not be too rich or abundant. Please give them sufficient exercise to prevent getting fat. This will extend their lives and help prevent health problems. Adult Glens would appreciate a brisk 20-30 minute daily walk, and are capable of more. Although Glens don't particularly care for hot weather, some have made adjustments to tropical areas.

Grooming is simply a matter of an occasional bathing and brushing as frequently as your tastes desire.
A slicker works well for brushing.

If the coat gets long enough that it mats often, it is probably time to strip the dog. This is a simple procedure requiring an hour or so for an adult Glen.

It involves pulling out the long hairs of the outer coat, and it does not hurt the dog if you wait until the coat is ready to be stripped. If the hairs don't come out easily, the dog is not yet ready to be stripped.

HEALTH

In general, Glens are a strong breed, robust and healthy. Their lifespan is around 10-13 years, although a few Glens live to 14 or even as much as 17.

Skin allergies are probably the most common health problem affecting the breed.

Hip dysplasia exists in Glens, although at this point it does not appear to cause symptoms in the dogs, probably because of their low-to-the-ground structure and their massive muscling in the loin area. Glens are supposed to have a crooked front with front feet turned out; this structure leaves the growing puppy susceptible to growth plate fractures, so going down steep stairs, jumping out of cars or off couches should be discouraged until the growth plates have closed, around one year of age.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), an inherited eye disease that causes late-onset blindness, has been identified in Glens. The breed is participating in eye research that may eventually lead to a blood test to help breeders prevent the disease; however, we are not there yet. All breeders are urged to have their breeding stock's eyes tested annually, which though imperfect is the best tool we have at present to manage this problem.

The Glen has a very limited gene pool and a history of inbreeding, which increases the risk of inheriting genetic diseases. We do not yet know what all of these may be and it is unrealistic to guarantee against them. However, good breeders screen their breeding stock for those heritable genetic diseases that have been identified as a problem in the breed.

LIBERTY KENNEL

My interest in Glen of Imaal Terriers arose from my search for a working farm dog that would control rodents, help with our livestock, protect the grounds from strays, and be good with our then-preschool children. We have been very happy with our Glens. Since 1989 I have experienced many aspects of the Glen, including showing, grooming, obedience and working, as well as breeding.

My dedication to the breed has included helping establish the original and largest breed club in the U.S., The Glen of Imaal Terrier Club of America (GITCA). I have been a member of the Board of Directors and a former Registrar. My breed research has included trips to Ireland, England, Denmark and France. I am a member of the GITCA Health Committee and PRA Task Team, and am involved the PRA research effort for Glens being conducted at Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania.

I am also one of several organizers of an informal group of Glen enthusiasts in the New England area.  Every fall we hold a the Glen Gathering in central Massachusetts.  It is a great opportunity to see lots of Glens and meet their owners.  If you live too far away, you can share in this special community by subscribing to the Glen Gathering Newsletter, which gives info on the upcoming Gathering, and afterwards shares stories and links to lots and lots of photos taken by attendees.  The Glen Gathering Newsletter comes out approximately three times a year, your e-mail address is never shared with others, and the subscription is free.

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I enjoy handling my own Glens in the show ring, and finished several ARBA Champions from the early days when rare breed organizations were our only venue. In 1997 our bred-by-exhibitor ARBA and CRS CH Liberty Belle became the FCI World Champion Bitch in Glen of Imaal Terriers, as well as a FCI International and Puerto Rican Champion.

Now with AKC recognition, our showing opportunities nationwide are vastly improved. My owner-handled Irish Import stud dog, Ballyfoyle Scoobie, with three consecutive five-point majors, became the first Glen of Imaal Terrier AKC Champion at Montgomery County Kennel Club on Oct 3, 2004, as soon as the breed became recognized. Scoobie has been invited to Eukanuba and Westminster in 2005; wish us luck and watch for us there!

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[PRA in Glens][Glens in Ireland][Email Me]

Other Glen Sites Probably the most important and valuable website for the health of our breed is: Glen of Eden Website and Data Base Kudos to the people who have volunteered their time and resources to make this thorough and extensive database available to serious Glen researchers. Searchable pedigree database includes PRA and heartcheck results, some picture pedigrees. Access is for registered users only. Register online from the "Database" page, or use this link. The AKC Breed Standard FCI is the International umbrella organization for kennel clubs in countries other than the U.S., Great Britain, and Canada. Here you can find FCI show information and country-of-origin breed standards for all 339 FCI recognized breeds. Home of Homer,  a nice, substantial dog and definitely the most titled Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier in the world Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier Sporting Club of Ireland an Irish organization dedicated to maintaining the working abilities so crucial to the temperament of the Glen of Imaal Terrier. Club information, membership, show & event information, and photo galleries. Glen Rescue (USA) Site hosting The Glen Gathering (USA), an informal group of Glen owners and enthusiasts who get together to have fun and learn with other owners and Glens every September in New England. Or sign up for the Glen Gathering Newsletter, a free e-mail newsletter that comes out approximately three times a year. Subscribe to the free Glen Gathering Newsletter British-based Photo Archives with loads of pictures from shows as well as informal galleries, mostly from Great Britain but including a few other places as well. Danish Glen site with links to more Glen sites around the world. British Glen site Originally a rescue site; this site lays out very bluntly the challenges of the Glen of Imaal Terrier's complex nature. Interesting historical photos and a clever and sobering interactive quiz to determine whether you can handle a Glen. I do not agree that no Glen can ever be trusted throughout its lifetime with other small animal pets like birds, cats, rabbits, hamsters, etc., (some Glens live quite harmoniously with such, but you MUST train it thoroughly and you must be regarded by your Glen as the pack leader to be successful with this. It helps to start out with a puppy.) I certainly do agree that you must be willing and able to be the boss if you want to live happily with a Glen (which, by the way, will make your Glen happy, too.) Just in case you would like to explore other Rare Breeds. This Rare Breeds Showcase WebRing site is owned by Ara Lynn. [ Previous | Next | Random Site | List Sites ]