Quick Facts
Origin: Ireland
Height: 12.5”-14”
Weight: 32-40 lbs
Color: Blue brindle, wheaten
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Temperament: Stoic, sweet, brave, stubborn
Overview
The Glen of Imaal terrier was bred to hunt out rats, foxes and badgers in 16th century Ireland. This kind of hunting required a tenacious and bold attitude, which continues to make them great watchdogs. This tiny dog has a mighty bark. At home these pups are unusually laid back for a terrier. They are affectionally called “a big dog on small legs”. Do not underestimate The Glen though, their little legs are quite powerful.
The Glen are generally good with children. They are rough and tumble when it comes to play, which may be too rough for some small kids. The Glen either love or become enemies with other pets, so be sure to socialize them together early if you are adding more furry friends to your home.
Celebrity Owners
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Fun Facts
There is folklore that these pups were once “turnspit” dogs. When cooking over an open flame a wheel would be attached to the spit. A dog would run on the wheel to the spit turning to give even heat distribution. While this sounds adorable to have a pup’s help in the kitchen there is nothing to truly substantiate this claim other than stories that have been passed down.
Health
The Glen are generally very healthy pups. Here are some health issues that could occur:
- Hip dysplasia: This condition is when the socket joint in the hip isn’t large enough, or more often too shallow, for the femoral head.
- Elbow dysplasia: This condition is an abnormal development in the elbow joint.
- Progressive retinal atrophy: Atrophy is a wearing or wasting away of a body part. In this case, it is the retina in the eye, which eventually leads to blindness.
- Skin issues: Histamine, which is a chemical in the body associated with immune responses, is released during allergic reactions.
Keeping your dog’s mouth clean and problem free goes a long way to your pup’s overall health. Dental hygiene can be the cause or can be the byproduct of other serious health issues.
Visual inspections can be performed to keep track of the signs of potentially waning oral health. These signs can be anything from bad breath to abnormal chewing to loss of appetite.
Keeping ahead of these warning signs can pay dividends. A preventative approach can delay and stop many of the common dental problems from arising.
Oral health can be tackled in five basic steps:
- Brushing your dog’s teeth to prevent an undesirable buildup of plaque
- Feed your dog a diet where the high quality dog food has dental benefits
- Regularly give your dog dental toys and treats
- Use mouthwash, to help where brushing misses
- At the sign of any abnormalities, consult a vet. You can even do it virtually, from the convenience of your home.
Dogs are just like humans in that they can experience anxiety. The degree to which they are susceptible to anxiety and how they deal with anxiety is breed specific. Left unchecked, initial signs of anxiety could give way to an anxiety disorder. The symptoms of anxiety disorders can lead to a myriad of behavior issues.
Knowing the signs and symptoms will best equip you to keep ahead of it and to nip it in the bud at the earliest signs. There are options available to help with anxiety.
Grooming
The Glen have a wiry topcoat and a soft undercoat. Your pup will need to be hand stripped twice a year. Otherwise, your dog will not shed much. Weekly brushing focusing on the hair around ears, legs, neck, and belly to keep your pup free of matts and tangles.
Bathing your pup around 3-4 times a year or if you pup gets exceptionally dirty. Make sure to keep pup’s ears clean and free of debris. Keep your pup’s nails clipped short, and the hair around the foot pads trimmed. Brush your pup’s teeth several times per week.
Exercise
When The Glen are small it is essential to keep your pup’s exercise mellow, leisurely walks or easy play sessions. While their bodies are growing rough exertion can disrupt their growth plates. During the first 9-12 months of life, they should not be allowed to jump off furniture or climb stairs often.
Once your pup is fully grown you can increase the level of your pup’s play to about an hour of engagement each ay. If you put your pup out in the yard, make sure your fence is secure and goes at least 18 inches into the ground.
These pups were bred to dig, and they will do just that until they can escape if it is easy. The Glen are singularly focused when working on a job. Consider getting your pup a puzzle toy for when home alone.
Additionally The Glen’s heavy body and short legs make swimming a significant challenge. Be sure to keep your pup away from bodies of water especially when left alone.
Nutrition
On average The Glen will eat about 2 cups of food per day. Your pup’s exact needs will depend on age and activity level.
We’ve taken a look at some premium dog foods, high in nutrition here.
Training
As with all dogs, early socialization to humans and other animals is essential to your pup’s temperament. The Glen are very intelligent, they will learn quickly.
At the same time, they will also get bored if training is too repetitive. Keep your sessions short, full of positive reinforcements and fresh with new activities.
Proper training is essential to ensuring the safety of your dog and those around you. Having your dog come when they should, and in general having them listen is something you want to address early in your pups life, as it will pay dividends down the line. There are many tried and true training programs to accomplish this training – faster and better than you might think!
Unless you’re living on a farm, or have the space, a yipping dog, or one that barks all day when you are gone could be an issue with the neighbors and/or landlord. Historically, dogs would bark to communicate with the rest of the pack when hunting and bark as a warning shot to predators eyeing up their flock. Barking is deep rooted in dogs and manifests itself in many ways and for a variety of reasons.
Just like any habit or instinct, there are effective ways you can train this issue away.
Supplements
A solid Glucosamine Supplement for hips and joints will go a long way to helping your furry friend.
Other helpful supplements include full-spectrum hemp oil or CBD oil. Fish oil skin and coat supplement.
Ensuring a comprehensive preventative vitamin and mineral plan is essential to keeping your dog healthy. Truth is, there are vitamins and minerals that your dog needs, but doesn’t produce naturally. While many of these vitamins and minerals can be found in your dog’s current diet and dog food, the question becomes, are there enough vitamins to ensure they aren’t deficient.
Poor nutrition can lead to some of the most common health issues, such as weak joints, compromised immunity, increased allergies, and low energy.
Vitamins play a vital role in your pet’s health and overall life expectancy. Here are some multivitamin and joint relief options.
As regulations around marijuana have eased, the emergence of CBD oils for humans and dogs have sprung up.
Just to begin to dispel the negative stigma, CBD extract comes from Hemp, marijuana’s cousin. Unlike its cousin, there are no psychoactive qualities in CBD oil. An emerging number of clinical and institutional studies have shown the wide variety of healing qualities in CBD, including pain management, and the containment of seizures and epileptic episodes.
Explore this remedy further to see all the health benefits that have transformed the lives of so many dogs to date.
The Good
Great watchdogs
Good with children
Minimal shedding
The "Ruff"
Difficult with other animals
Will dig to find prey if left alone