Glen of Imaal Terrier: description of the Irish breed and dog care

Glen of Imaal Terrier - Irish dog breed specially bred for hunting badgers and foxes... The animal is distinguished by great dexterity, endurance, besides, it has a courageous character, and at home it is obedient and friendly to all family members. However, there are 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, which provide for some aggressiveness of the animal, when living together with a person, Irish Terriers behave in a balanced manner and become his helpers 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 animal, not much different from an ordinary yard dog. But the face of the Irishman changes a lot when he participates in shows and exhibitions. The terrier appears in a different guise - clean, combed, similar to 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, the muzzle tapers from forehead to nose with a black lobe. The lips are also black or gray-black, optimally fitting to the jaw. The bite is correct, scissor bite.
• The ears are in the shape of a triangle, they are small but thick, set high.
• The eyes are small, non-convex, of a dark shade, with a lively, fearless and attentive gaze.
• The medium-sized neck is distinguished by its strength and strong muscles.
• The body of the terrier is elongated in shape, with a deep and wide sternum. The back is even and straight, the lower back stands out in relief, the stomach is tucked up.
• The tail has a high set, thick at the base, covered with coarse hair. It is customary to stop this part of the body by one third.
• The legs of the dog are straight, strong, of moderate length, with oval paws and black claws, a slight outward turning of the forepaws is allowed.

Dog standard there should be no flecks, light or amber shades of eyes, excessively drooping tail fringe, clubfoot.

The undercoat is thick and soft. The color of the glen of Imaala, in accordance with the standards, can be as follows:

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

The dog may have a dark gray stripe on the back and mask, but white patches on the chest and legs are undesirable. The height of males at the withers is 35-36 cm, weight - no 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 the 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 complete understanding of the animal and man, the dog is usually obedient and truly loyal to the owner.

On the other side, The terrier is distinguished by a jealous attitude towards the one whom he recognizes as the main one and will 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 kids who can easily get along with everyone around them with a good attitude.

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

Minced meat on the menu is undesirable, since it is poorly digested by the terrier's body. He also needs greens for health, occasionally - fish, deboned, a little vegetable oil for the normal condition of the skin and coat.

Terrier care consists of:

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

Wool required comb it out periodically (1-2 times every 7 days) so that mats do not form.

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 keep the room cool.

Glen of Imaal Terrier lives from 12 to 14 years old, but these periods can be reduced by some diseases characteristic of dogs and a tendency to pathologies:

• congenital dysplasia of the hip joints;
• a predisposition to paw injuries, especially in puppyhood, which is associated with an energetic temperament and greater weight, compared to height;
• susceptibility to degeneration and further atrophy of the retina, which can lead to blindness;
• unsatisfactory 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 prepare for the fact to closely monitor the health of your pet and contact your veterinarian in time when the first signs of illness appear. Despite some possible illnesses in Irish Terriers, it is believed that they are quite healthy and strong animals.

How the Glen of Imaal Terrier looks like, see below.