Glen of Imaal Terrier Breed Magazine - Showsight

to a terrier prey drive without the use of another animal as in Earthdog. Because of their sensitive nature and peculiar look, Glens are well suited for therapy and service dog work. You can find them in libraries helping children read as well as giving comfort to those in hospice care. Th ere are a number of Glens that enjoy boating and frolick- ing in the sand and surf under the watchful eyes of their own- ers. It should be noted that Glens are not capable swimmers as their short legs cannot paddle adequately to keep their sub- stantive bodies afloat. Many Glens have drowned in backyard ponds and pools as they do not fear the water. Many owners ease this concern by utilizing life jackets for their Glens. Grooming As far as colors, Glens come in three basic colors, wheaten, blue and brindle. Wheaten can be as light as nearly a cream and as dark as a red wheaten. Brindle includes grizzle and any shade of blue brindle. Glens also come in livers and blacks but neither color is acceptable. Glens have a double coat, a harsh outer coat covering a softer undercoat. Grooming a Glen entails regular brushing to keep the coat from matting and to keep dirt from accumulating. Th e coat is hand stripped to maintain the harsh texture and to keep from getting long and matted. Another option for dogs that are not competing in conformation events is to clipper them. However, you may lose the harsh texture and original color of the Glen jacket once clippered. Health Concerns Puppy buyers should inquire of their breeders as to the required testing of the parents. Glens should be tested for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy. Th ere are genetic markers for progressive retinal atrophy which is a disease that can eventually lead to blindness.

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Th e proportions of the skull are 3:5 muzzle to skull. Th ere should be a pronounced stop and a strong foreface with good fill under the eyes. Th e skull is slightly domed and when viewed from the top, will be somewhat square. Glens have full dentition and a scissors (preferred) or level bite. Th ey are not under- or over- shot. Pigment is always black. Eyes are medium sized, round, set well apart and brown. When examining the shoulders and forelegs, you should feel a slight wrap of the upper arm. Th e humerus and scapula should be of equal length—short upper arms are not correct! Th e feet should turn out slightly from the pasterns. Th is is in no way a fiddle-front and the turn out should not be exaggerated. Check for dogs that are pinched elbows or out at the elbow. Th e chest should extend below the elbow. Th e topline should be strong and rise in a relatively straight line from the back of the withers to the (high) onset of the tail. Th e tail should be carried gaily (happily) from about 12-2. Th e tail should be docked to about half-length, but undocked tails should not be penalized. Th e loin must be strong to protect the back., and should be short compared to the length of the rib cage. Th e ribs should be well-sprung and never slab-sided. Th e hindquarters are strong, well-muscled and have a well-defined second thigh. Th e hocks should be short and a good bend of stifle is desirable. Glens should not be cow- hocked. Length of leg is not addressed in our Standard. Glens should appear balanced and have enough leg to perform as a working farm terrier. Legs that are too short restrict movement and agility, legs that are too long destroy type. Balance is the key. Color, Coat & Grooming Glens come in all shades of wheaten, blue and brindle. No color is preferred over another, but these are the only allow- able colors. Th e pigment is always black. Glens have a double coat, with a harsh outer coat and soft undercoat. Th e coat over the body should be of medium length (1"-2 " ), with the furnishings longer and softer. Th e exact length of the coat is not as important as the texture. Th is is a working dog and requires a harsh coat that will pro- tect its body. Long, soft coats pick up debris and are not desir- able. Th e Standard states that over-trimming of dogs is unde- sirable. Th is does not mean that they should not be shown clean, brushed and shaped. It does mean that the dogs should never be scissored or highly stylized. Clean up on the pads and hygienic areas with shears is acceptable. Faults Any departure from the Standard is considered a fault and should be penalized to the degree from which it departs. Full- drop or prick ears, and over-trimming are undesirable. Light eyes should be penalized. Th ere are no specific disqualifications.

S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , M ARCH 2014 • 201

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