Ragdoll for a terrier

Surely many of you has been wondering while watching terrier group-competitions in dog shows, why there is one " ragdoll for a terrier" amongst the beautifully trimmed and fabulously presented glamorous terriers. Most likely this "ragdoll" is flagship of its breed - Glen of Imaal terrier (later referred as The Glen).

The Glen is very different from other terriers so it also looks very different from others. Of course he has to be clean and tidy, but not trimmed to the top. Coat is trimmed, but it should not to show trimmed, quite opposite that how for example Irish Terrier is trimmed out. The Glen should be shown in rather long coat, about 5 centimeters is quite good length for the coat.

The Glens presence describes well its character; it is easy and calm but at the same time smoke and fire. So the Glen is strong and durable dog which demands owner with determination and strong will.

Benevolent homer and count Montechristo

The Glen loves his family, especially children. You can tie him to a knot but other dogs has to be on their toes. The Glen listens to these bullies without making first move, and usually his strong authority is enough to quite the bullies. If not, then you should take a good grip of your hat, because the it is a whole different ball game. The Glen is not challenging the fight, quite the opposite. But in the other hand The Glen don't let anyone to jump to his face either. The Glen has guts.

The Glen loves to do stuff. It enjoys to fetch newspaper and doing tricks for guests. There are best medicine for The Glens mind. One of my Glens enjoys to pull children in specially designed carts. Highlight of the day is to return borrowed books with his own back bag. Same dog has soft toys as a hobby, he just has a different idea about playing with them. He "borrows" them to keep company for his own bunny rabbit. He places them side by side and keeps them company. Then when it is time to go to sleep, he returns all borrowed toys to their homes and get the own bunny rabbit to owners bed. Himself he goes to his own bed for a sleep.

The Glens are good for agility, obedience, fly ball etc too. There is a 18 month dog which achieved +2 in obedience training and has one been seen at ruins training also, so it is only matter of the imagination what you can do with your Glen.

The beauty is in watchers eye and in official breed description

So, what good Glen looks like then?
The Glen has long body, that is little longer than what he is in height, but not long! The taxis, skyes etc are long breeds. The Glens general impression should be sturdy but not bulky. Rather the Glen is to be more of a muscular than sluggish. It is massive and strong dog. Massiveness comes from muscles, not from fat. Movement is very important as Glen has the history of being working breed. The Glen has had to been able to move well even in difficult ground. Steps are long and fast, "ground eating" so to speak. Too tight movement with staccato steps are not acceptable. The Glen enjoys to show off , so he is fresh, open, happy almost cheerful, and easy to approach in the ring. The head is shaped like Staff, but double in size, hairy and little bit longer. Eyes are brown, blond eyes are not acceptable. Most of the Glens has almond or Elkhorn brown eyes, not black though. Yellowish of light brown eyes are not accepted according breed definition. Young dogs light brown eyes gets darker with the age. Anyway eye pigment has to be dark through out. 

Both rose shaped and semi pointing ears are accepted. Hanging and fully pointing ears are not allowed. Every shape between rose and semi pointing are accepted. Small ears are always better than big ones. Cutting the ears is not allowed. There is all kinds of ear shapes, but faulty ones there is none. Despite this, there is many times faulty ears mentioned in show feed back form. Bite should be either scissors or even. There are relatively little problems, but front row is not always the best. Looking to Glens teething gets respect also by Vets and non-dog persons. Front limbs of the breed are quite special, they should be a little turned out. Elbows should be tightly in the body pointing back wards. Glens body is deep and chest sturdy and wide. Ribs curves well so Glen cannot look like barrel nor flat either. Loins are strong, Hind limb muscles has to be well developed and quarters well defined. Good quarters gives "glennish" kick to its walking. Tail cannot cut anymore, but it should be happily upwards and setted high. There is only two accepted colors, wheat and blue brindle. Different shades is lots though. White and black areas as well as light gray are not allowed.

Puppies can have white and black on the coat, but those colors should be vanished as the dog is adult. The Glen is about 36 centimeters in height and weighs about 15 - 20 kilos. There is two types of Glens, low and high. Lower type is also more massive and this makes the movements to suffer a bit. Higher type is more desired though.

From Ugly duckling to ragdoll

The Glen is relatively slow when talking about developing from puppy to a proper adult and many Glen owner sheds a tier when Glen reaches puberty. At that time Glen is really a ugly duckling, The Glen can be referred to a big dog when talking about development; slow is good. The Glen isn't ready until 3 years of age, but then he is nicely moving, happy, strong and handsome "ragdoll", Glen of imaal terrier.

Within ten years from dusk till dawn

First Glen arrived to Finland from Sweden in 1988. Since that Glens have been imported from England, Ireland, USA, Germany and Denmark. Finnish Glens have been exporting to Holland, USA, Germany, Czech Rebublic and to Estonia. Imports and Exports are about in the same level. Finnish Glens are highly ranked globally and quantity of dogs has grown to about 200 with approximately ten breeders.

Irish working dog

GlOne task for them was also to keep unwanted animals and peoples away from the property. But the most important thing was hunting though. The Glen has the most special way to hunt foxes, badgers etc. It follows the pray to its cave and digs his way to the it, therefore the front legs are turned outwards. After getting to the pray he kills it silently and brings it to his master.

Working dog has to be strong, with small ears and eyes, with good mobility and durability. This is how you can describe the Glen, ragdoll for the terriers.

Glen Of Imaal terrier belongs to FCI group 3.