The Irish Glen of Imaal terrier is one of the rarest breeds in the world, as it is little known even in Great Britain, its place of origin. This is a fairly robust Irish working dog despite its small size.

The silent Irish Glen of Imaal terrier

Also called Wicklow Terrier or simply Glen, this is a dog native to the Glen of Imaal region near Dublin, Ireland. Today the Imaal region is a military zone and now no dogs belonging to that breed are seen in the area.

They arose during the 16th century, when Hessian mercenaries settled in the region. The mercenaries brought their short dogs with them and mated them with native Irish terrier dogs. In this way, a small but robust breed was consolidated, capable of adapting to any type of work.

The Glen of Imaal was created with the intention of hunting animals such as foxes, badgers and otters, although, at the same time, it is effective in hunting mice. One of the main characteristics of these dogs is their being silent, as they bark only in exceptional cases.

As a curious fact, we can add that these dogs have a low birth rate,  due to the narrowness of the species itself. Only 300 specimens are born a year. In fact,  only 26 puppies were born worldwide in 2003, an alarming number for fans of this breed.  

Physical aspect

The morphology of the Glen of Imaal is quite peculiar. It is a dog with a longer than a tall body, which has small legs and a slightly larger head that stands out on its body. However, despite his appearance, he is a very robust dog that adapts well to the environment.

Head

• The length of the muzzle is usually proportional to the size of the head.
• The jaw is articulated in the shape of a scissor.
• The eyes are round, usually with a dark pigmentation, little separated from each other. The look gives it a serious look.
• The ears arise from the top of the head, are small in size and end in a point.

Body

• They have a maximum stature of 35 centimeters.
• The average weight varies between 15 and 17 kilos.
• They have more developed musculature, unlike other small breeds.
• The legs are considerably small compared to the length of the body.
• The tail is short and, in countries where this practice is allowed, it is usually clipped.
• They have a double layer of hair that protects them from external agents.
• The color of the coat can be wheat or bluish.

Temperament

The Irish Glen of Imaal terrier is an obedient and intelligent dog , indispensable qualities in hunting specimens like this one. At the same time, the character of this dog in general is quite calm and docile towards humans.

When working, this dog is courageous and tenacious in the face of all kinds of situations, with a stealthy attitude of nature, useful for hunting its prey. Furthermore, nature has provided him with a predisposition to dig the earth, a place where his prey hide.

His personality is friendly, which makes him an ideal dog to keep in the family; these animals are very patient with children, although they tend to be reserved and cautious with strangers. With other dogs they can be stubborn and territorial. 

Their preferred environment is rural places, although given their size they can easily adapt to urban life, as long as they are allowed to practice the necessary exercise and given the freedom they need.

Training

To avoid unwanted behaviors, the Irish Glen of Imaal terrier must be trained from an early age with basic obedience exercises, in order to make the most of their natural intelligence. Physical exercises are also essential for you to discharge your energy. Otherwise, the dog will end up using it in unexpected activities.

The best way to train these dogs is to train them in obedience training competitions like the ‘ Agility , which will bring him to overcome various obstacles below. Talent contests are also ideal for making the most of our little friend’s potential.

Health and disease

The Irish Glen of Imaal terrier is an exceptionally healthy dog that amazes even veterinarians from different parts of the world. The selection of these dogs, which took place in previous centuries, provided them with great resistance to disease. 

However, each breed has its own weaknesses and these dogs are not the exception to the rule. One of their most common pathologies is the degeneration of the back disc, very common in small dogs; and also retinal atrophy, which is present as a hereditary factor.

The good thing is that these diseases are hereditary and cases are not very numerous. Some specimens, however, can suffer from overweight if you are not careful about their diet.

As far as care is concerned, these dogs need as little attention as possible. You simply need to brush their fur, clean their skin constantly and check for external parasites to keep their coat in top condition. Obviously it is necessary to periodically visit the veterinarian to always keep the health of the animal under control.