Glen of Imaal Terrier
About the Glen of Imaal Terrier
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Small (10-25 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 12-14" |
| Weight | 32-40 lbs |
| Coat Type | Wire |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Moderate (30-60 min/day)
30 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Moderate mental stimulation needed
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,500-$2,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,200/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Glen of Imaal Terriers may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Apartment Living
- Allergy Sufferers
Guides for your Glen of Imaal Terrier
The story behind the Glen of Imaal Terrier
The Glen of Imaal is a remote valley in County Wicklow, Ireland, where smallholders are said to have kept short-legged working terriers for controlling vermin, going to ground after fox and badger, and helping around the farm. Tradition also credits the type with turning meat spits by treadmill, a story often repeated but poorly documented. Written records of the breed as such begin in the early twentieth century, when Irish enthusiasts sought recognition; the Irish Kennel Club acknowledged it in the 1930s, with British and later American recognition following much later. Selection favoured a dog that worked mute underground, unlike terriers bred to give tongue. Numbers have always been small, and the Glen remains one of the scarcer Irish terrier breeds, kept mainly by enthusiasts and shown in modest numbers.
Originally bred for: Vermin control, Earth working terrier, Farm dog. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Glen of Imaal Terrier
Density matters here, since a Glen weighs far more than its height suggests and gains weight easily. Use a complete diet portioned for a compact, muscular small-to-medium dog, count treats within the daily total, and keep the ribs easy to feel.
Watch for: No breed-specific food intolerance is documented, though itchy skin and ear inflammation come up among owners as they do across many terriers. Because environmental allergens produce similar signs, a vet should be the one to sort the cause and guide any dietary trial.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Glen of Imaal Terrier
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.