Live Life Team
This is a rare Irish terrier breed, originating from the Wicklow region. It was developed for badger and fox baiting.
The dog is of ancient origin and was developed from low-slung hounds brought into Ireland by Elizabethan mercenaries. These bred with local terriers, creating a breed suitable for killing vermin on farms.
The Imaal, being a larger and stronger terrier than other Irish breeds, quickly found a use on fox and badger hunts. The Imaal terrier was also used as a turnspit dog, its unique bowed legs and powerful hindquarters being ideal for the task.
The breed was little known until the 20th Century, when dogs began being entered for shows. It gained Kennel Club recognition in 1934 and is now a recognised breed across the globe. However, it has remained a rare breed with only a few hundred dogs registered worldwide.
The Imaal is a medium-sized, stocky dog, weighing on average 35lbs (16kg) and standing around 14 inches (35cm) at the shoulder. It has a large head in proportion to its body and stumpy, foreshortened legs which are distinctly bowed. This is normal and not a breeding fault. The dog has a long back with impressively powerful hindquarters, developed to give it the edge when tackling large badgers.
The coat is of medium length and wiry. Colours include sand, black, brindle and tan.
Although a fairly docile breed, the Glen of Imaal is known to be short-tempered and snappy and its hunting tendencies make it unreliable near small mammals. Generally it is a healthy breed.
