Glen of Imaal Terrier puppies

About the Glen of Imaal Terrier

The Glen of Imaal Terrier comes from a remote valley in the Wicklow mountains of Ireland, where they were kept as farm terriers to deal with fox and badger. This is a dwarf breed, so a Glen stands only 32 to 36 cm at the shoulder but carries 14.5 to 18.1 kg on bowed front legs and a long body. The harsh double coat is workmanlike rather than smart. Temperamentally they are the quiet one of the terrier group: game and stubborn, but noticeably less frantic than their relatives.

Exercise needs are moderate, which suits people who want a terrier without the engine. The catch is the front end. Puppies should not jump off furniture, pound up and down stairs or do long lead walks until the growth plates close, usually between nine and twelve months. The coat needs weekly combing through the furnishings and hand stripping two or three times a year, in return for very little shedding. Prey drive is real, so small pets need care. Most new owners get the puppy joint rules wrong.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Glen of Imaal Terrier puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Hip dysplasia, screened by hip evaluation of breeding stock
• Cone rod dystrophy, a form of progressive retinal atrophy, detectable by DNA test on both parents
• Other inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist evaluation
• Front leg and growth plate strain in puppies, avoided by limiting jumping and stairs until the plates close

Your Glen of Imaal Terrier puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Glen of Imaal Terrier.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 14.5 to 18.1 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Kit sizes: crate 30 inch (30 x 20 x 23 in, 76 x 51 x 58 cm) for an adult of up to 18.1 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.

Buying guides for this

• Best crate for a puppy: wire, plastic or soft, and how to size one with a divider

Other medium breeds

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Sources

• akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
• fci.be for country of origin
• Health notes from Glen of Imaal Terrier breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/glen-of-imaal-terrier/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Photo: Irish-Terrier-2023, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.