First
impressions are extremely important when judging the Glen of Imaal Terrier. The
Glen should appear powerful and somewhat primitive in appearance. The breed’s ‘antique’ features
and substance are critical to establishing type and understanding the breed. The antique features include a head that seems almost too large for its sturdy body, a matched pair of rose or half-prick ears, bowed front legs with a slight turnout at the pasterns, and a longer-than-tall body profile with a slight rise to the rear.
And keep two numbers in mind: 3 and 5. The muzzle:skull ratio and height:length ratios are 3:5, and the ideal weight is 35 pounds.
Glens
are examined on the table. Please allow the handler time to stack the
dog before approaching, and expect a wet tongue on the face if you
get too close. The breed is affectionate, alert and lively and should
never show aggression towards humans. Look for a strong head with a round, medium-sized dark eye. The skull should appear almost square when viewed from above and there should be a pronounced stop. The foreface should have good fill under the eye and taper slightly towards the muzzle and a black nose. The teeth are big with full dentition and a preferred scissors bite. Level bites are acceptable. The ratio of muzzle to skull is 3:5. Ears are small for the head and are rose or half-pricked.
The topline is of particular importance and distinct to the breed’s history. It is straight (not level) with a strongly muscled loin and a slight rise to the highly set half-docked tail. A natural tail is not to be penalized. There should not be a drop-off at the croup. The rising topline gave the dog leverage for pulling large vermin from dens and for walking the wheel that drove the turnspit.
The
ratio of height at the shoulder to the length of body (point of chest
to point of hip) is 3:5. The maximum height is 14” and the minimum
is 12 1/2”. Though this is a range of only 1 1/2" in height,
given that the breed is 40% longer than tall, this can mean there is
upwards of 2 1/2" difference in length. Add to that the third
dimension of substance and you have a substantial range between the
smallest and largest. There is no preference for size and overall balance
must always take precedence over any particular number. 
Glens
should have well laid back shoulders leading to strong, short, bowed
front legs. The forearm curves around the rib cage and the elbows are
tight. The feet turn out slightly from the pasterns only. Correct Glens
have enough forechest and keel to prevent fiddlefronts. The hindquarters of a Glen are impressive. They are well-boned and muscled, have a well-defined second thigh, and good bend of stifle. They should never be soft or flabby since they are the driving forces of the dog.
The Glen is the only one of the four terrier breeds of Ireland that is not defined by color. They come in an array of colors that fall within the Wheaten, Blue or Brindle ranges. There is no preference for color or depth of color. Regardless of color, the coat is harsh--not wire-- with a soft undercoat. It is kept at a medium length of approximately 1 1/2” over the body and longer on the head and furnishings. The hair of the furnishings is generally softer than the shorter body hair. The Glen should give the appearance of a rough and ready working terrier. He should never be overtrimmed. The coat is hand-stripped and NEVER scissored. Please do not reward creative or extensive grooming.
You may be surprised at how freely a Glen can move. They can cover ground well with good reach and drive. They are clean coming and going without paddling of forefeet and carry their tail gaily. Move them on a loose lead and allow room between dogs.
We
do not encourage sparring. Glens are generally gentle and docile, but
can be exceptionally game when called upon. Their short, stocky bodies
can be difficult to control if they are focused on a challenge. Any departure from the standard is considered a fault and the seriousness of the fault is in proportion to the degree of departure.
Remember:
Judge on the ground, examine on the table.
Antique features.
3:5 ratios.
Appearance of maximum substance for size.
This is a rough and ready working dog, not a groomer’s idea of a generic terrier.
Smile – Glens are the clowns of the Terrier Group. Always smiling, always happy, and usually looking for something to chase.
