Ballyclare Glens

                 GLEN DESCRIPTION

Like many dogs in the Terrier group, Glens were not really appreciated by gentlemen sportsmen before the middle of the 19th century. The Irish Glen Of Imaal is an old breed which was simply ignored for a long time, rather than a result of later experiments. The Glen is a local dog, confined to the bleak area of the Glen of Imaal in Co. Wicklow. . A dog, which could not pull his weight in the day-to-day struggle for existence could not be tolerated. So he had to spend long hours propelling dog wheels and was often pitted against other dogs in the dubious sport of dog fighting, customs which have now disappeared. Over time this tough hardy dog evolved through generations of hard work into the strong sturdy dog we know today.

The Irish Kennel Club gave official recognition to the breed in 1934.

The Glen is a big dog on short legs. It stands up to 14"  at the withers (the point where the neck meets the back) and weighs between 32-40 lbs.  It should always give the impression of great substance for its size.It carries a double coat: a harsher outer coat and a soft under coat. Its front legs are bowed with front feet pointing to 10 and 2 o’clock.turning .  Its ears are rose or semi-prick when alert. Its unique topline rises  to a strong loin, with no dip or slackness behind the withers . The hindquarters are extraordinarily well-muscled. The docked tail is set high and carried erect.  Accepted colors are wheaten (any shade), blue, and brindle, the most commonly seen being  blue brindle, (the most desirable being a bleu brindle a mixture of dark-slate blue, lighter blue undercoat and hints of tan.

 

BREED STANDARDS

 

GENERAL APPEARANCE Medium sized with medium length coat, great strength with the impression of maximum substance for the size of the dog.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS Body must be long rather than high.

BEHAVIOUR - TEMPERMENT Active, agile and silent when working. Game and spirited with great courage when called upon, otherwise gentle and docile.
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HEAD

Skull:Of good width and of fair length. Pronounced, tapering to the nose. Foreface of power.

Nose: Black

Mouth : Jaws strong, teeth sound, regular, strong, of good size. Scissor bite. Level mouth accepted

Eyes Brown, medium size, round and set well apart. Light eyes should be penalized

Ears Small rose or half pricked when alert, thrown back when in repose. Full drop or prick undesirable.
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NECK Very muscular and of moderate length.
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BODY Deep and long, must be long rather than high

Topline Straight

Loin Strong

Chest Wide and strong, ribs well sprung

Tail Docked. Strong at root, well set on and carried gaily. Pups tails docked to half length.

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FOREQUARTERS

Shoulders Broad, muscular and well laid back.

Forelegs Short, bowed and well boned.

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HINDQUARTERS Strong and well muscled.

Feet Compact and strong with rounded pads. Front feet to turn out slightly form pasterns.

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COAT

Hair  Medium length, of harsh texture with soft undercoat. Coat may be tided to present a neat outline.

Color  Blue brindle but not toning to black. Wheaten, from a light wheaten color to a golden reddish shade. Puppies usually born true to type, In color blue, wheaten, reddish. Masks are usually an inky blue, there may be a streak of blue down back, on tails and ears. The darker markings will clear with maturity.

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SIZE AND WEIGHT

Height at the withers Dogs 14 inches (35,5 cm) is the maximum Bitches accordingly less.

Weight Dogs 35 lbs (16kg) Bitches accordingly less.

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FAULTS

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to Its degree.

NOTE

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.