2023 GITCA Awards Presentation Video
This video, presented at our 2023 AGM, honors those dogs who were
recognized with awards for their performance in 2022.
Among the many of its treasures that Ireland has shared with the world, are
several beloved breeds of dogs. Among them are four beguiling terriers and
perhaps least known of them is the Glen of Imaal Terrier. It has been
described variously as a rough-and-ready Sealyham, a miniature Irish Wolfhound, or a Soft Coated Wheaten on short legs, etc. While these
descriptions might allude to an aspect of the Glen of Imaal’s profile, they
ultimately miss the point. The Glen isn’t a rough-and-ready or miniature
anything. It predates many of the breeds to which it is likened and is a
truly unique and remarkable creature beloved by most everyone fortunate
enough to come into contact with one.
The history of the breed finds its roots in the starkly beautiful Glen of Imaal in County Wicklow. Like its three Irish cousins--the Kerry Blue
Terrier, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, and the Irish Terrier--the Glen of
Imaal Terrier was initially bred to rid the home and farm of vermin, and
hunt fox and badger. The European badger weighs in at 40 lbs and the Glen
was tough and strong enough to go to ground and dispatch the vermin
soundlessly.
According to legend the Glen of Imaal also has a unique task which it was
expressly designed for: it was a turnspit dog. The turnspit was a large
wheel which, when paddled by the dog, would turn the spit over the hearth--a
canine-propelled rotisserie, if you will. The Glen’s highly individualized
bowed front legs and powerful hindquarters were ideally suited for this. For
several hundred years, these hearty dogs performed their tasks unnoticed by
all except those who treasured them. With the advent of dog shows in the
19th century, the breed began to emerge into the public eye. In 1934, the
Glen of Imaal Terrier was given full recognition by the Irish Kennel Club.
It was the third of the four Irish terrier breeds to be so acknowledged. The
breed is now recognized by the Kennel Club of Great Britain, FCI, and
several rare breed associations. In America the Glen was fully recognized
by the American Kennel Club and entered the AKC Terrier Group in October 2004 though the hard efforts of
members of the Glen of Imaal Terrier Club of America. There are 600-700
Glens registered in the United States.
Owning a Glen of Imaal Terrier can be a unique and rewarding
experience...but it is not the breed for everyone. Read on to determine if
it might be the right breed for you.