Glen of Imaal Terrier
The Glen of Imaal Terrier (Irish: Brocaire Uí Mháil) is a rare Irish dog breed from County Wicklow, Ireland, and one of four original Irish terrier breeds native to Ireland. It is sometimes called the Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier or the Wicklow Terrier, and the name of the breed is often shortened by fanciers to just Glen.It is bred for hunting vermin and general farm work, the Glen is known for its strength, low stature, and unusually quiet nature for a terrier. The breed was recognised first by the Irish Kennel Club in 1934 and most recently by the American Kennel Club in 2004. The Canadian Kennel Club voted to fully recognise Glens in 2017 after the breed spent years on the Miscellaneous list; approval by Agriculture Canada is pending. Once nearly extinct, it was revived in the 20th century and is now still considered to be one of the rarest breeds of dog (in the US, living registered animals number in the hundreds) and the least-known Irish terrier breed. It is considered a vulnerable native breed by the UK's Kennel Club, which tracks breeds in which fewer than 300 puppies are registered each year. The current global Glen population size is estimated at 3100.
| Life Span | 10-14 years |
| Weight | 10-30 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Glen of Imaal Terrier
Finding a responsible Glen of Imaal Terrier breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells dogs commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Glen of Imaal Terrier. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Glen of Imaal Terriers appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for a Glen of Imaal Terrier breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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