Glen of Imaal Terriers (Glens for short) are the least-known of the four Irish terrier breeds, with a population numbering only in the hundreds in the US. They originated in the Glen of Imaal, a valley in county Wicklow south of Dublin. They were bred to hunt badger and other vermin and to be a general farm dog, including for herding. Today, many are still used in Ireland for exactly those purposes! Glens also have a foothold in the UK and, surprisingly, Finland. They were recognized by the AKC in 2004.
A "big dog on short legs," Glens are substantial (35-40 pounds of solid bone and muscle) despite standing only about 13" tall at the shoulder. Their front feet have a slight turn out. They have big heads, big expressive eyes, and a big-dog bark, too! They're no yappy lap dogs.
Glens come in two main colors, called wheaten (a beige or tan color) and blue (a gray ranging from light to charcoal). Blue Glens often have stripes of brown, referred to as brindling. Sometimes you will also see other patterns, such as grizzle (a mix of blue and wheaten) or blue-and-tan (blue on top, wheaten underneath). Glens don't shed much but need to be brushed regularly to keep their coat free of mats. About 2-3 times a year, they need to be stripped, with old hair being removed from their coat using special tools.
Most American Glens are rather laid-back for a terrier. They love being active, but are usually not demanding, and are happy to curl up next to their owners on the sofa. They're very smart and learn quickly, and they are patient, affectionate, and loyal. With rare exceptions, they are trustworthy with children and household pets, even those that might otherwise trigger their prey drive (such as cats and rabbits) provided they are socialized with them from puppyhood.
Glens are generally healthy and live a long time. More than fifteen years is not uncommon. A formerly-common congenital eye disorder, PRA or progressive retinal atrophy, is now detectable by a genetic test. Thanks to this test, all responsible Glen breeders today are breeding litters that will never be affected by this type of blindness.
We love our Glens and we'd love for you to get to know and love the breed like we do! Check out our Events page for opportunities to meet a Glen. Or check out some of the links below for more reading.
Glen of Imaal Terrier Fanciers of the Northwest is not a breed club, nor is it associated with any breed club or kennel club. We just love Glens!