Glen of Imaal Terrier
Glen of Imaal Terrier Summary
Get to Know Glen of Imaal Terriers
- Turnspit Dogs: Glens were historically used as turnspit dogs—running on a wheel to turn meat over an open fire.
- Quiet Terrier: Unlike most terriers, Glens were bred to work silently underground. They are notably quieter than other terrier breeds.
- Powerful Build: Pound for pound, Glens are among the most powerful terrier breeds. Their broad chest and bowed legs give them tremendous digging ability.
- Rare Breed: The Glen of Imaal Terrier remains one of the rarest terrier breeds, with limited numbers worldwide.
Glen of Imaal Terrier Personality & Temperament
- Gentle & Patient: Glens are surprisingly gentle and patient for a terrier breed. They are calm, easygoing companions at home.
- Brave & Determined: In the field or when challenged, their terrier courage shines through. They are fearless for their size.
- Loyal & Devoted: They form deep bonds with their families and are loyal, loving companions.
- Quieter Terrier: They are less yappy and excitable than many terriers, making them more suitable for apartment and close-quarters living.
Glen of Imaal Terrier Care & Grooming
- Exercise: About 30 to 45 minutes of moderate daily exercise. They enjoy walks, digging (it's instinctive), and moderate play.
- Grooming: Their harsh double coat needs brushing twice weekly and professional stripping or trimming every few months to maintain texture and appearance.
- Diet: Feed a high-quality small-to-medium-breed food. Monitor weight—their low, heavy build means extra weight is easily hidden and hard on joints.
- Health: Watch for progressive retinal atrophy (PRA-crd3—a DNA test is available), hip dysplasia, and allergies. PRA testing is particularly important for breeders.
What to ask your breeder?
Here's a short summary of what you should be asking your breeder:
Glen of Imaal Terrier Health Testing
| Screening | Considerations |
|---|---|
| ACVO Eye Exam | Eye Examination- Must have an eye examination performed by an ACVO ophthalmologist (or equivalent in foreign countries) beginning at 2 years of age and repeated every 2 years until age 8. |
| Hip Dysplasia | One of the following: OFA Radiographic Hip Evaluation. PennHIP Evaluation. Results registered with OFA. |
| Elbow Dysplasia | OFA Radiographic Elbow Evaluation. |
| PRA-Cone Rod Dystrophy 3 | DNA based PRA-Cone Rod Dystrophy 3 test (CD3) results from an approved lab. |
| Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) | DNA Based DM test from an approved laboratory. |
Glen of Imaal Terrier History
The Glen of Imaal Terrier is a rare Irish breed from the remote Glen of Imaal in County Wicklow. Developed as a versatile farm dog, the Glen hunted badgers and foxes, turned cooking spits (turnspit dogs), and dispatched vermin. Their low-slung, powerful build was purposely bred for going to ground after badgers in tight burrows. The breed was recognized by the Irish Kennel Club in 1934 but remained rare internationally. The AKC recognized the breed in 2004.
How Much Does It Cost to Own a Glen of Imaal Terrier Per Year?
Determining the cost of owning a Glen of Imaal Terrier is essential for responsible dog ownership. Use our calculator to estimate expenses, including food, grooming, veterinary care, and more.
The Ultimate Dog Cost Calculator
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Find Glen of Imaal Terrier Breeders Near You
Connect with trusted Canadian breeders raising Glen of Imaal Terriers.
Find Glen of Imaal Terrier BreedersFrequently Asked Questions About Glen of Imaal Terrier
When you talk to a breeder, you're not just asking “do you have available Glen of Imaal Terrier puppies?” You're looking for a match in the process of rehoming a dog. As a prospective dog owner, you are assessing how predictable the dog's health, temperament, and long-term welfare will be and whether the breeder's practices reduce avoidable risk.
You should engage in a conversation about the following topics:
- Which health tests and genetic screening do you do specifically for Glen of Imaal Terrier, and can I see the results?
- What do you do if a puppy develops a serious genetic condition? What contract, policies and support do you offer as a breeder?
- How are puppies raised from birth to 8+ weeks? Ask about socialization, philosophies on early neurological development, handling, and exposure.
In Canada, Glen of Imaal Terrier puppies from reputable breeders typically cost between $2,200 and $4,800 — but the puppy price is only the beginning.
The real cost of a dog isn't just the puppy price. After year one, the cost of a dog includes the predictable annual costs + the unpredictable “risk costs.” Your goal is to make the cost legible before you commit, as one of the top causes of surrendering a dog is not being able to afford the dog in later years.
To help you assess these costs, Paction has created the Ultimate Cost Calculator. You can also read an article written by a Paction breeder on why a prospective dog owner should focus on the ongoing costs of dog ownership and not “how much” the puppy costs.
For Glen of Imaal Terrier, responsible breeders commonly screen breeding pairs using tests such as ACVO Eye Exam, Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, and PRA-Cone Rod Dystrophy 3.
Every dog breed has certain health issues that tend to occur more often, but what matters most is how predictable and preventable those risks are. For many breeds, common concerns include inherited conditions (such as orthopedic, eye, or cardiac issues) as well as lifestyle-related challenges like weight management, dental health, skin or ear problems, and anxiety.
Responsible breeders help reduce inherited risk through appropriate health testing, careful selection of breeding pairs, and transparency about family history. To understand more about responsible breeding programs that prioritize health and genetic screening of breeding pairs, check out Making Science Simple: Canine Genetics for Puppy Shoppers.
As an owner, you play an equally important role. Consistent preventive veterinary care, proper exercise and enrichment, healthy nutrition, and early screening can significantly improve long-term health outcomes.
Whether a Glen of Imaal Terrier is right for you depends less on the breed itself and more on how well its typical energy level, temperament, and care needs align with your daily life. Important factors include your schedule and activity level, living environment, household dynamics (such as children, other pets, or allergies), and tolerance for noise or independence. Long-term fit also comes down to maintenance like grooming, training needs, and how often you travel or rely on outside dog care.
Use Paction's Dog Breed Matchmaker and Pup Time Estimator to find out more about what dog is right for you.










