Meet the Glen of Imaal Terrier: Charming, scruffy, substantial - a big dog on short legs
"Dwyer" MBIS BISS GCHS Abberann Michael Dwyer
Low to the ground and full of grit, the Glen of Imaal Terrier is one of Ireland’s native treasures. Bred for silent work in badger dens and to turn a spit in the kitchen, this sturdy dog has a double coat, bowed front legs, and a steady, kind gaze. Less yappy than many terriers, the Glen is strong, brave, and surprisingly mellow. It’s a family-friendly breed with a big heart and a serious work ethic, especially when digging is involved.
The Glen of Imaal Terrier hails from a remote and impenetrable glacial valley in County Wicklow, Ireland. With their massive head and short, strong, bowed limbs, the Glen would have been the perfect canine sidekick for the Seven Dwarfs. Snow White surely would have found their remarkably expressive face irresistible. Just don’t expect them to work all day!
From head to toe, this breed is ideally suited to draw or drag a badger from their extensive subterranean sett. Huge teeth, muscular jaw, and a foreface of power allows them to clamp down and hold on to large struggling prey. Small mobile ears can virtually disappear, preventing injury. A deep chest accommodates the heart and lungs needed for strenuous underground effort. The wraparound front curves smoothly around the ribcage—the slight turnout at the wrist serves to balance and support the heavy “digging” front. The Glen’s powerful rear can anchor, pull, and propel—and it creates the characteristic rise in the topline. Their medium length, double coat protects the skin from thorny hedgerows.
Although Glens are quite entertaining they can be tenacious and formidable when called upon. “Unrefined to this day, the breed still possesses ‘antique’ features once common to many early terrier types.”
"Charming, Scruffy, Substantial - a Big Dog on Short Legs" by Theresa Nesbitt MD SHOWSIGHT September 2026
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