Breed library

Glen of Imaal Terrier

Glen of Imaal Terrier photograph.
Blue Brindle Adult Glen of Imaal Terrier.jpg - Irish-Terrier-2023. CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_Brindle_Adult_Glen_of_Imaal_Terrier.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0. License: CC BY-SA 4.0.

Breed overview

The Glen of Imaal Terrier (Brocaire Uí Mháil) is a rare Irish dog breed from County Wicklow, Ireland, and one of four original Irish terrier breeds native to Ireland. It is sometimes called the Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier or the Wicklow Terrier, and the name of the breed is often shortened by fanciers to just Glen.It is bred for hunting vermin and general farm work, the Glen is known for its strength, low stature, and unusually quiet nature for a terrier. The breed was recognised first by the Irish Kennel Club in 1934 and most recently by the American Kennel Club in 2004. The Canadian Kennel Club voted to fully recognise Glens in 2017 after the breed spent years on the Miscellaneous list; approval by Agriculture Canada is pending. Once nearly extinct, it was revived in the 20th century and is now still considered to be one of the rarest breeds of dog (in the US, living registered animals number in the hundreds) and the least-known Irish terrier breed. It is considered a vulnerable native breed by the UK's Kennel Club, which tracks breeds in which fewer than 300 puppies are registered each year. The current global Glen population size is estimated at 3100.

  • Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
  • Country of origin: IrelandBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • The Glen of Imaal Terrier (Brocaire Uí Mháil) is a rare Irish dog breed from County Wicklow, Ireland, and one of four original Irish terrier breeds native to Ireland.
  • The breed was recognised first by the Irish Kennel Club in 1934 and most recently by the American Kennel Club in 2004.
  • The Canadian Kennel Club voted to fully recognise Glens in 2017 after the breed spent years on the Miscellaneous list; approval by Agriculture Canada is pending.
  • Once nearly extinct, it was revived in the 20th century and is now still considered to be one of the rarest breeds of dog (in the US, living registered animals number in the hundreds) and the least-known Irish terrier breed.
  • A "big dog on short legs," the Glen of Imaal Terrier is an achondroplastic dwarf breed.

Size and appearance

A "big dog on short legs," the Glen of Imaal Terrier is an achondroplastic dwarf breed. It is more substantial than might be expected from photographs; a typical adult Glen weighs about 36 pounds and stands 14" tall at the withers. The AKC breed standard specifies a height of 12" to 14" and a weight of "approximately" 35 pounds for males and "somewhat less" for females, with a length-to-height ratio of 5:3. Many champion Glens are larger than breed standard, with some individuals exceeding 40 or even 45 pounds. With three growth stages, a Glen can take up to four years to reach full maturity. Glens have a large head, with rose or half-prick ears; short, bowed legs; and a straight topline that rises slightly toward the tail. The shoulders, chest, and hips are sturdy and muscular (the AKC breed standard specifies an impression of "maximum substance for size") and the front feet are turned out. The breed is considered unrefined, with antique features that were common in early terriers but which have since fallen out of favor with fanciers and breeders.

  • Body mass reference: 16 kgBreed reference body mass. male.
  • Height reference: Up to 35.5 cmBreed reference height. male, maximum.
  • Coat layers: double
  • Coat texture: wiry
  • Weight category: medium

Personality and behavior

Glen of Imaal terriers can be energetic and tenacious, but they tend to be more even-tempered, more easygoing, and less vocal than most other terriers. While they love activity, they are not demanding, and are happy to relax by their owner's side. Their bark is deep and authoritative, like that of a much larger dog, and they are said to be good watch dogs.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat layers: double
  • Coat texture: wiry

Health and lifespan

Care planning: keep your dog's veterinary records, health-check dates and agreed care plan together. Add reminders for appointments and record changes you want to discuss at the next visit. Use the linked breed organizations and original references to explore their current health resources.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

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Breed history

The breed was recognised first by the Irish Kennel Club in 1934 and most recently by the American Kennel Club in 2004. Once nearly extinct, it was revived in the 20th century and is now still considered to be one of the rarest breeds of dog (in the US, living registered animals number in the hundreds) and the least-known Irish terrier breed.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  2. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  3. File:Blue Brindle Adult Glen of Imaal Terrier.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Blue Brindle Adult Glen of Imaal Terrier.jpg - Irish-Terrier-2023. CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_Brindle_Adult_Glen_of_Imaal_Terrier.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
  4. Glen of Imaal Terrier - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Glen of Imaal Terrier, revision 1283906356. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Glen_of_Imaal_Terrier&action=history
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.