Terrier group · Ireland
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Also called Glen, Irish Glen, Wicklow Terrier.
What makes them remarkable
Tradition links this Irish terrier to kitchen turnspit wheels, where dogs powered the rotation of roasting meat.
- Brave
- Gentle
- Spirited
- Loyal
- Patient

- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 15 to 18 kg32 to 40 lb
- Lives
- 10 to 15 years
- Energy
- Moderate
- Trains
- Moderate
- Barks
- Low
Training
Training a Glen of Imaal Terrier
Terrier breeds. Impulse control and a rock-solid leave it. Short, high-value sessions; they bore fast.
Calmer Than Most Terriers
Start here
Glens are less hyperactive than many terriers. Match their energy with calm, patient training.
Strong but Gentle
Powerful for their size. Teach lead manners early while they're still manageable.
Early Socialisation
Can be dog-aggressive without proper socialisation. Introduce to other dogs early.
The app turns this into five to fifteen minutes a day.
Add your Glen of Imaal Terrier and it builds the plan around their age, where they came from and what they already know, one step at a time.
Free to start. iPhone. No card needed.
At home
Living with one
Bred to go to ground after vermin. Fearless, quick, and not built to back down.
Gets on with
- ChildrenHigh
- Other dogsLow
- StrangersModerate
- CatsLow
Breed averages. Early socialisation and the individual dog matter more.
- Exercise
- 45-60 minutes daily. Moderate walks and play. Less demanding than many terriers.
- Grooming
- Hand-stripping 2-3 times yearly. Regular brushing between grooming sessions.
- Drool
- Low
- Coat
- Double coat, Harsh outer coat, Soft undercoatWheaten, Blue, Brindle
- In a flat
- Can work, with enough exercise outside it.
Health
Things to ask a breeder or vet about
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Severe
Inherited eye disease causing blindness. DNA test available and essential
Hip Dysplasia
Moderate
Joint malformation causing pain and lameness
Skin Allergies
Mild
Environmental allergies causing itching
Where they come from
History
Developed in the remote Glen of Imaal in County Wicklow, Ireland. Used for hunting badgers and foxes, and uniquely as turnspit dogs, running on wheels to turn meat over fires. One of the least known Irish terrier breeds.
- First AKC Champion · The breed was only fully recognised by the AKC in 2004, making it a relatively "new" breed in American dog shows
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