Glen of Imaal Terrier Care: Exercise, Grooming and Health Checks
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By Dr Duncan Houston
A Glen of Imaal Terrier may look like a compact companion, but this is a strong working terrier with opinions, hunting instincts and a body that deserves sensible handling.
Many enjoy a quieter pace indoors than people expect from a terrier. That does not make them effortless with other dogs or safe around small animals.
Quick Answer
Glen of Imaal Terriers need regular moderate activity, secure opportunities to explore and reward-based training. Their harsh coat needs maintenance, and owners should ask about eye and joint screening when choosing a puppy. Persistent limping, difficulty seeing or sudden resistance to handling needs veterinary assessment rather than being dismissed as stubbornness.
What is a Glen of Imaal Terrier like?
The Glen of Imaal Terrier Club of America describes the breed's working origins in County Wicklow, including hunting and vermin control. That background helps explain digging, persistence and interest in small moving animals.
Some Glens live happily with other dogs, but compatibility should be assessed individually. Avoid relying on labels such as dominant or assuming that sex alone predicts whether two dogs will get along. Introduce gradually, prevent competition over food and resting areas, and supervise until a stable relationship is clear.
A securely fenced exercise area and careful lead handling are important. Recall training remains useful, but does not remove the need to protect wildlife and small household pets.
Exercise that suits a low-built, sturdy dog
Provide daily walks with time to sniff, short training games and safe play. A digging area or a simple food-search game can offer an appropriate outlet for terrier behaviour. The goal is comfortable movement and contented recovery, not meeting a fixed mileage target.
During growth, avoid repeated jumping from furniture, forced long-distance running and slippery play surfaces. Help puppies learn controlled movement on varied safe ground. For adults, build fitness gradually and choose activities that fit their individual structure and joint health.
If your Glen slows down, stops jumping or snaps when lifted, investigate pain. Weight gain, injury and arthritis can affect activity, and behaviour changes may be the first sign an owner notices.
How do you care for the coat?
Brush and comb the coat regularly, paying attention to the legs, underarms and beard. The AKC breed profile describes a double-coated terrier; maintaining the harsh outer coat may involve specialist grooming.
Discuss hand-stripping versus clipping with an experienced groomer and take comfort, skin condition and the dog's tolerance into account. Show presentation should never take priority over welfare. Introduce grooming in brief rewarded sessions and stop if the dog is sore.
Check ears rather than automatically pouring cleaner into them. Redness, smell, discharge or repeated shaking requires assessment. Keep nails comfortable and practise daily toothbrushing with dog toothpaste.
Health screening and changes to watch
Ask to see actual parental screening results rather than a verbal assurance that the line is healthy. Progressive retinal atrophy is relevant to the breed, including a form called crd3; discuss appropriate DNA testing and eye examinations with your vet or breed health coordinator. The breed health and conservation information includes PRA screening.
| Observation | Why it matters | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Gradual weight gain with otherwise normal activity | Excess load can make movement harder | Review portions and body condition with your vet |
| Repeated skipping, stiffness or reluctance to walk | Joint or soft-tissue pain is possible | Arrange a vet examination and reduce demanding activity |
| Bumping into objects or hesitating in dim light | Vision needs checking | Book an eye assessment promptly |
Sudden blindness, a painful red eye, collapse or breathing difficulty needs urgent veterinary care. Sudden visual loss is not something to assume is slowly progressive inherited disease.
A practical care plan
- Choose a complete life-stage diet and measure food, including treats.
- Provide daily low-impact movement, sniffing and chances to learn.
- Use barriers and secure fencing to manage chasing and dog interactions.
- Build grooming, dental care and lifting tolerance with rewards.
- Keep records of weight, gait and any vision changes for veterinary visits.
For training, follow the AVSAB reward-based approach. Independent behaviour calls for clear teaching and suitable rewards, not physical confrontation.
Common mistakes
- Treating a short dog as a lightweight toy breed.
- Allowing uncontrolled jumps while a puppy is growing.
- Assuming a quiet terrier has no prey drive.
- Waiting until coat care hurts before seeking help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Glens good apartment dogs?
Some are, when they receive suitable activity and companionship. Noise, stairs and access to safe toileting still matter.
Can a Glen live with cats?
Some individuals can, but hunting instincts require careful assessment, gradual introductions and reliable separation when needed.
Does a Glen need a special small-breed diet?
Not automatically. Choose food for age, health and body condition; the label on the bag matters less than nutritional suitability.
Does a clear PRA DNA result guarantee perfect eyes?
No. A DNA test addresses a particular inherited variant and does not replace clinical eye assessment for other disease.
The best Glen care respects both terrier instincts and physical comfort. Encourage exploration, maintain a lean body and act when movement or vision changes.
For help preparing questions about your Glen's care, visit ASK A VET™.
