ORIGIN :
Ireland.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE VALID ORIGINAL STANDARD :
27.01.2001.
UTILIZATION :
Like all other terriers, this small,
tough breed had to hunt badgers and foxes, and to keep the rat population to a
minimum. Now he is a gentle and docile family dog.
CLASSIFICATION FCI : Group 3 Terriers.
Section 1 Large and medium sized Terriers.
Without working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : Like many dogs in the Terrier group, 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
the result of later
breed experiments. He is very much a local dog, confined to the bleak
area of the Glen of Imaal. The farmers
of this area, who were descended
from soldiers given land in the 16th and 17th centuries as payment for service
rendered to the British Crown, had to utilize their natural cunning an dexterity to
survive in this harsh
terrain. A dog, who could not
pull his weight in the day-to-day struggle for
existence would 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 now
disappeared. Before the Irish Glen of
Imaal Terrier became known at dog shows,
he had 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 and a club
to promote its interests was soon
formed.
GENERAL APPEARANCE :
Medium sized with medium
length coat, great strength with
the impression of maximum substance for
the size of the dog.
IMPORTANT PROPORTION :
·
Body longer than high and
low to the ground.
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Active, agile and silent when working. Game and spirited with great courage when
called upon, otherwise gentle and docile, who oozes personality; his loyal and
affectionate nature makes him a very acceptable house dog and companion. The Irish Glen of Imaal is said to be less
easily excited than other terriers, though he is always ready to give chase
when called on.
HEAD
CRANIAL
REGION :
Skull : Of good width and of fair length.
Stop : Pronounced.
FACIAL
REGION :
Nose
: Black.
Muzzle : Foreface of power, tapering to the nose.
Jaws : Strong.
Teeth : Teeth sound, regular, strong and of good size. Scissor bite.
Eyes : Brown, medium size, round and set well apart. Light eyes should be penalised.
Ears
: Small rose or half pricked when alert, thrown back
when in repose. Full drop or prick
undesirable.
NECK : Very muscular and
of moderate length.
BODY : Deep and long, and
longer than high.
Topline : Level.
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. A natural tail
(undocked) is allowed for in countries where docking is banned by law.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS :
Shoulders : Broad, muscular and well laid back.
Forelegs : Short, bowed and well boned.
Feet : Compact and strong with rounded pads.
Front feet to turn out slightly from pasterns.
HINDQUARTERS : Strong and well muscled.
Thighs : Well muscled.
Stifle
: Well bent.
Hocks : Turned neither in nor out.
Feet : Compact and strong with rounded pads.
GAIT/MOVEMENT :
Free, not hackneyed. Covers ground effortlessly with good drive behind.
COAT
HAIR : Medium length, of harsh texture with soft undercoat. Coat may
be tidied to present a neat outline.
COLOUR :
·
Blue brindle but not toning
to black.
·
Wheaten, from a
light wheaten colour to a golden
reddish
shade.
·
Puppies may be born coloured
Blue, Wheaten, or Reddish. Lighter
coloured pups usually have an inky blue mask, and there may also be a streak of
Blue down the back, on the tail, and on the ears. The darker markings will clear with maturity.
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.
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.
·
Hound ears.
·
Undershot bite, overshot
bite.
·
Too short in body.
·
Straight front.
ELIMINATING FAULTS :
·
Black & Tan colour.
·
Narrow foreface.
NOTE : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles
fully descended into the scrotum.