Glen of Imaal Terrier Breed Magazine - Showsight

Judging the GLEN OF IMAAL TERRIER

By Mary McDaniel, DVM Judges Education Chair, Glen of Imaal Terrier Club of America

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lthough Glens were fully recognized by AKC in 2004, they are still a mystery to many observers. Th ey are not a typical terrier and

the rear, and are longer than tall. Th ese are the hallmarks of the breed and should never be lost. When judging a Glen, you should first look at the outline. Glens should be pro- portionately 3:5, with 3 being the tallest height at the shoulder blades and 5 being the length of body from sternum to but- tocks. Th e topline should rise in a straight line from the back of the withers to the tail. Th ere should be no roach or drop- o ff at the croup and the loin should be short and strong. Th ere should be a shelf behind the tail and relatively short hocks. Front and rear angulation should match and allow for free movement and agility. ‘Overall balance is more important than any single specification.’ Once you have established breed type, you can start evaluating the individual merits of each dog. Glens should be judged on the ground, but always examined on the table. Th at is because the dogs are often more comfortable on the ground and will give a more honest picture of their outline. Movement & Size When gaiting the dogs prior to tabling, you should look for free and even movement, e ff ortless ground covering,

and good reach and drive. Glens should move cleanly coming and going. Many judges are surprised at how well a good Glen can move! Glens range in height from 12 ½ to 14 " , but the weight is approximately 35 lbs., bitches somewhat less. ( Th e origi- nal Irish Standard does not allow any leeway on the upper weight, stating only 35 lbs.) Th e standard also calls for ‘the impression of maximum substance for size’. It does not state that bigger is bet- ter. Th is gives us a great deal of informa- tion on the intended mass of the breed. Glens should always be well-muscled and in good working shape. But they should not be built like Sumo wrestlers. I compare them to middle-weight box- ers—fit, strong, agile, and muscular, but not overly massive. A dog that is cumber- some cannot perform the job for which it was bred. Examining the Glen Glens are friendly and confident, so there should be no problem with examining them on the table. A shy or aggressive Glen is not normal and should not be rewarded.

their conformation breaks many of the rules of ‘correctness’. However, if a judge learns to embrace the di ff erences, he can appreciate a great Glen when it walks into his ring. Th e Glen of Imaal Terrier is a very old breed that dates back to the 1500s. It developed in relative obscurity and isola- tion in the Glen of Imaal, County Wick- low, Ireland as a vermin dog and farm terrier. Th e Glen’s most touted function was to go to ground after badger, dis- patch it in the den and, sometimes, drag it out. Th e task required a specific size and conformation that we seek to pre- serve in the breed. Antique Features Th e Glen of Imaal Terrier maintains certain features that were typical of all dwarf terriers in the early years. Th ey have a large head with small rose or half-prick ears, a slight bowing of the forequarters and turnout of pasterns, a straight rise to

Continued on pg. 201

“The Glen’s most touted function was to go to ground after badger, dispatch it in the den and, sometimes, drag it out. THE TASK REQUIRED A SPECIFIC SIZE AND CONFORMATION THAT WE SEEK TO PRESERVE IN THE BREED.”

S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , M ARCH 2014 • 199

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