Glen of Imaal Terrier: Irish breed description and dog care

Glen of Imaal Terrier - Irish breed of dogs specially bred for hunting badgers and foxes. The animal is distinguished by great dexterity, endurance, in addition, it has a bold character, and at home obediently and friendly to all family members. However, there are some nuances of keeping such pets.

The first representatives of the breed were fighting dogs and achieved official recognition at the beginning of the last century. Despite the hunting qualities, providing for some aggressiveness of the animal, when living together with a person, Irish terriers behave in a balanced manner and become his assistants and companions.

The appearance of the terrier is very different if you look at the dog during and after the hunt. In the first case, it is a shaggy, not too neat looking beast, not much different from a regular yard dog. But the look of the Irishman changes a lot when he participates in shows and exhibitions. The terrier appears in a different guise - clean, combed, looking like a decorative dog.

For the breed, certain requirements have been developed for the appearance of the animal.

• The terrier has a slightly elongated but wide head, muzzle tapering from the forehead to the nose with a black lobe. The lips are also black or gray-black, optimally adjacent to the jaw. The bite is correct, scissor-like.
• The ears are triangle-shaped, they are small but thick, set high.
• The eyes are small, non-convex, dark in color, with a lively, fearless and attentive look.
• A medium-sized neck is distinguished by strength and strong muscles.
• The body of the terrier is elongated in shape, with a deep and wide sternum. The back is straight and straight, the loin stands out prominently, the stomach is taut.
• The tail has a high landing, thick at the base, covered with stiff hair. This part of the body is usually stopped by one third.
• The legs of the dog are straight, strong, of moderate length with oval paws and black claws, a slight inversion of the front paws is allowed.

Dog standard there should not be bryl, light or amber shades of the eyes, excessively hanging tail fringe, clubfoot.

The undercoat is thick and soft. The color of Glen of Imaal in accordance with the standards may be as follows:

• gray-brindle (blue);
• reddish tiger;
• fawn (light and pronounced golden and red shades).

The dog may have a dark gray strip on the back and a mask, but white spots on the chest and legs are undesirable. The height of the dogs at the withers is 35-36 cm, the weight is not more than 16 kg. Accordingly, girls are smaller in height and body weight.

Terriers of this breed have a balanced psyche and independent character. Sometimes an animal can be naughty, so the owner will have to be patient from the first days and find a common language with a shaggy friend. With full understanding of the animal and man, the dog, as a rule, is obedient and truly loyal to the owner.

On the other hand, The terrier is distinguished by a jealous attitude towards the one whom he recognizes as the main and will fall in love.

Perhaps this will upset someone, but there are few real fighting dogs of this breed, and modern representatives of the pedigree are more like playful children who can well get along with everyone around them with a good attitude.

Terriers of this breed can be kept in an apartment, but since the dog likes to move a lot, a country house is more suitable for it, where there is more space for active games and activities. Caring for an animal involves some requirements. Protein must be present in the dog's diet, however, lean meat should be in harmony with vegetables and cereals. In addition, you will have to calculate calories so that the animal does not overeat.

Stuffing in the menu is undesirable, as it is poorly digested by the body of the terrier. Also, for health, he needs greens, occasionally - fish, cleared of bones, a little vegetable oil for the normal condition of the skin and coat.

Care for the terrier is:

• in long walks;
• in bathing every 3 months or as the coat becomes dirty;
• in the regular removal of growing hair on the ears, in their cleaning.

Wool will be required comb out periodically (1-2 times in 7 days) so that no tangles are formed.

A haircut is relevant in the warm season, and to make the animal feel comfortable, you can purchase a cooling mat for your pet and maintain a cool air temperature in the room.

Glen of Imaal Terrier lives from 12 to 14 years old, but some dog-specific diseases and a tendency to pathologies can reduce these periods:

• congenital dysplasia of the hip joints;
• predisposition to injuries of the legs, especially in puppyhood, which is associated with an energetic temperament and great weight, compared with growth;
• susceptibility to dystrophy and further atrophy of the retina, which can lead to blindness;
• poor digestion and assimilation of protein foods, leading to digestive disorders;
• allergic manifestations, accompanied by itching (most often the dog's paws suffer).

Therefore, the owner should be prepared to to carefully monitor the health of your pet and timely contact your veterinarian when the first signs of illness appear. Despite some likely illnesses in Irish terriers, it is believed that they are quite healthy and strong animals.

See how the Glen of Imaal Terrier looks like.