| Glen of Imaal Terriers: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Glen of Imaal Terrier personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Glen of Imaal Terrier, including these excerpts:
"A sturdy dog with strong working instincts, the Glen of Imaal Terrier has a rough-and-ready appearance that belies his calm disposition.
The heavily muscled Glen is surprisingly fast and agile, spirited and playful. He likes vigorous games and long walks and must be on-leash or loosed in a safe, enclosed area, because he is a hunter and chaser.
Indoors he wants to be near you -- resting his head on your lap or feet -- so is often underfoot. Yet his general nature is patient, laid-back, and undemanding, unusual for a terrier.
Glens are polite with known visitors, but other dogs may be another matter. Early socialization and owner control and attentiveness are recommended.
With his high prey drive, the Glen of Imaal Terrier must be carefully introduced to cats and should not be kept with rabbits or rodents.
Glens have the stubborn character of a true terrier, but they are quite willing to work with you if you use praise and food to motivate them.
With his enthusiasm, low center of gravity, and tremendous strength, the Glen of Imaal Terrier will tow you along the street unless you teach him how to walk on a leash.
He is a powerful digger and has a surprisingly deep bark."
History
From the rugged glen (valley) of Imaal in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland comes this heavy-boned, crooked-legged hunter. He doesn't bark to worry his prey from its den, as most terriers do, but works silently and with great tenacity, relying on his powerful jaws, bowed front legs, and heavy shoulders to drag out his quarry -- often a 40-pound badger fighting to the death.
Size
13-14 inches and 35-45 lbs. Folks who see a Glen up close for the first time are surprised by his great substance and strength. |
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Glen of Imaal Terriers
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is conveniently sized, though heavily muscled and somewhat chunky
- Is rough-coated and natural-looking
- Has a more moderate temperament than most terriers, without excessive fire and flash
- Thrives on vigorous games, athletic activities, and long walks
- Makes a keen watchdog, but is usually polite with everyone
A Glen of Imaal Terrier may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- The dynamic terrier temperament (see full description below)
- Providing enough exercise and activities to keep him busy
- Aggression toward other animals -- chasing instincts
- Stubbornness
- Digging holes
- Barking
- Brushing and clipping the wiry coat
- Waiting lists (hard to find)
A Glen of Imaal Terrier may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Glen of Imaal Terrier... |
My major concerns would be:
- The dynamic terrier temperament. Most terrier breeds are remarkably similar. The same words are used over and over -- quick to bark, quick to chase, lively, bossy, feisty, scrappy, clever, independent, stubborn, persistent, impulsive, intense.
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Glen of Imaal Terriers are active go-getters. They MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and to use their busy minds to do interesting things.
| Terriers were never intended to be simply household pets. I strongly recommend that you get your Glen of Imaal Terrier involved in obedience classes at the intermediate or advanced level, in agility (an obstacle course for dogs), or in an earth dog club (terriers dig and tunnel after small critters who are secured in a sturdy cage so they can't be harmed). |
- Animal aggression. Glen of Imaal Terriers are a determined force to reckon with if they decide to initiate or accept a challenge to fight. Most terriers have strong instincts to chase and seize small fleeing creatures. This can make for conflict if you own a cat. It may be much worse than that if you own a pet rabbit or hamster!
| Terriers cannot be trusted off-leash. They will take off -- oblivious to your frantic shouts -- after anything that runs. |
- Fence security. Many terriers are clever escape artists. You may also need to sink wire into the ground along the fence line to thwart digging. Gates should have the highest quality locks.
- Barking. Terriers are often too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them. If you work all day and have close neighbors, terriers are not the best choice for you. For the same reason, terriers should NEVER be left outside in your yard, unsupervised.
- Mind of their own. Glen of Imaal Terriers are not Golden Retrievers. The toughness that makes them suited to killing vermin can frustrate you when you try to teach them anything. Terriers can be stubborn and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
- Defensive reactions. If you need to physically chastise a terrier, and you go beyond what THEY believe is a fair correction, terriers (as a group) are more likely than other breeds to growl or snap. It may be because they were bred to become more fierce when their prey fought back, i.e. terriers are apt to "return pain" if they "receive pain." As an obedience instructor, I'm always extra careful when putting my hands on any terrier for a correction.
| I do NOT recommend terriers for small children. Many terriers will not tolerate any nonsense from little life forms whom they consider to be below themselves in importance. Many terriers are quick to react to teasing, and even to the normal clumsiness that comes with small children (accidental squeezing of their ears or pulling of whiskers or stepping on their paw). Many terriers are possessive of their food and toys and will defend these from all comers, including children. |
- Grooming. To keep their rough coat free of mats, Glen of Imaal Terriers require regular brushing, and also clipping and trimming every few months.
| Not all Glen of Imaal Terriers are alike! |
- There are energetic Glen of Imaal Terriers, and placid ones.
- Hard-headed Glen of Imaal Terriers, and sweet-natured Glens.
- Serious Glen of Imaal Terriers, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Glen of Imaal Terriers, and individuals who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Glen of Imaal Terrier puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Glen of Imaal Terrier... |
There are plenty of adult Glen of Imaal Terriers who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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