Glen of Imaal Terrier

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 10-15 years
The Glen of Imaal Terrier is a very healthy breed. There are only a few conditions that may affect some Glens, and these conditions impact only a small percentage of the breed.

Hip dysplasia, a condition in which a malformed hip joint results in the thigh bone not fitting correctly in place, may occur in some Glen of Imaal Terriers. This condition leads to issues such as discomfort, pain, limping, and, in severe cases, arthritis or even lameness. Surgery is a treatment option if necessary. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred, so ensure that your puppy’s parents have no history of the condition. Although hereditary, hip dysplasia can be triggered by rapid weight gain or injury, like falling on a slippery floor.

Glens can experience some difficulties with their eyes, such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). Dogs with PRA will experience degeneration of the retina, which can ultimately lead to daytime blindness. Although there is no cure for PRA, dogs are able to adjust to this loss in vision because it occurs very gradually. Most dogs with PRA are able to maintain a happy, enjoyable life.

Like other terriers, the Glen of Imaal Terrier can have problems with allergies, itchy skin, and related ear infections. In some cases, a change in diet may alleviate many of these issues.

This healthy breed lives an average of 10-15 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

The Glen of Imaal Terrier is similar in temperament to the more well-known terrier breeds, although he is somewhat more docile and less excitable. He is still bold, affectionate, gentle, and spirited, but he can be laid back as well. Although he originated as a farm and hunting dog, he is now mostly a family companion and is extremely devoted to his people.

Apartment living is acceptable for a Glen, as long as he can spend some time outdoors. He enjoys long walks and high-intensity games, but he is not the best company for a jog or run. He is also not a strong swimmer. At a minimum, the Glen of Imaal Terrier needs thirty minutes of exercise and playtime daily. If your Glen is spending some alone time outside, he will need a secure fence. He is likely to escape due to a combination of characteristics: he is naturally curious, he loves to dig, and he has a strong prey drive that may cause him to pursue small animals thoughtlessly. Although the Glen of Imaal Terrier is not fond of hot weather, he can adjust to warmer climates if needed.

Proper socialization is key for a Glen of Imaal Terrier. He is good with children, but he is strong, likes to roughhouse, and may try to herd them, so he is recommended more for families with older children. If you do have younger children, ensure that they are supervised around your Glen. They may be dog aggressive. Although they typically will not pick fights, they will be aggressive if provoked or defending themselves or their families, and they can be wary around unfamiliar people. For this reason, they make excellent guard dogs. A Glen of Imaal Terrier can not be trusted with rodents or rabbits, and you should be careful introducing him to cats or other small animals.

The Glen of Imaal Terrier has a surprisingly deep bark and barks often. Do not reinforce his barking by running over to see what he is barking at. Instead, incorporate a “Quiet” command into his training and use it consistently. If you will have your Glen in an apartment setting, addressing his barking behavior should be especially emphasized. Otherwise, be prepared for some very unhappy neighbors.

Training a Glen of Imaal Terrier is not always an easy task. He is intelligent, but he is also stubborn and dominant. Absolute consistency is a must to teach your Glen that you mean what you say. Be firm, but do not use harsh methods. Like many terriers, a Glen of Imaal Terrier may even snap or snarl if he feels he is disrespected or treated unfairly, and harsh treatment will make him completely shut down to training. Use positive reinforcements like treats, playtime, and verbal praise. At the same time, be clear and extremely consistent concerning your rules and expectations.

Grooming

The Glen of Imaal Terrier has a rough, natural looking, medium length coat that needs to be brushed with a slicker brush once or twice a week. He does not shed much, but you should expect a small amount of shedding.

Bathe the Glen of Imaal Terrier only as needed. His coat can become overly soft if he is bathed too frequently. Trim his nails as needed to prevent cracking and breakage. Brush his teeth 2-3 times weekly to maintain healthy gums and prevent bad breath. Remember that Glens are somewhat prone to ear infections, and check his ears regularly for signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, and odor. Also ensure that he does not have an excessive buildup of wax, dirt, or debris.

Diet

On average, the Glen should consume 1.5-2 cups of high-quality dry dog food each day. Food should be divided into two meals, and they should not have access to food at all times. Do not overfeed your Glen of Imaal Terrier, and ensure that his food is not overly rich. They tend to have large appetites, and some of them gain weight very easily.

Be sure clean, fresh drinking water is available for your Glen of Imaal Terrier at all times.
 

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Glen of Imaal Terrier Puppies For Sale

Adopt A Glen of Imaal Terrier

Cost

The Glen of Imaal Terrier is not hugely popular or well-known and may be difficult to find. A pet quality Glen may cost as little as $800, while a show quality Glen may be as much as $2,500. Prices will vary according to factors like breeder location, pedigree, and gender.

If you can find a Glen of Imaal Terrier to adopt, expect adoption fees to cost up to $175.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The Glen of Imaal Terrier ranks a 3. He is healthy, loving, a good guard dog, and fairly low maintenance in regards to grooming. However, proper socialization is absolutely essential to prevent any problems with people, dogs, or small animals, and training the Glen of Imaal Terrier is not easy. He also has a deep bark that he uses frequently and will need be trained not to bark at inappropriate times.

 

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