Glen of Imaal Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison

Glen of Imaal Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed ComparisonGlen of Imaal Terrier is originated from Ireland but American Hairless Terrier is originated from United States. Glen of Imaal Terrier may grow 9 cm / 3 inches shorter than American Hairless Terrier. Both Glen of Imaal Terrier and American Hairless Terrier are having almost same weight. Both Glen of Imaal Terrier and American Hairless Terrier has almost same life span. Both Glen of Imaal Terrier and American Hairless Terrier has same litter size. Both Glen of Imaal Terrier and American Hairless Terrier requires Low maintenance.

History

glen of imaal terrier - historyHailing from Ireland and known also as the Wicklow Terrier or just Glen, the Glen of Imaal Terrier was used to get rid of rats, badgers and otters as well as being a good all-round farm dog.

Using his strength, he was good at digging into burrows to root out badgers, but unlike other terriers, he wouldn’t go on and on yapping around his prey. He isn’t an excessive barker.

The terrier was recognised by the Irish Kennel Club in 1934 and later by the American Kennel Club in 2004. The Canadian Kennel Club recognized Glens in 2017.

american hairless terrier - historyDerived from the Rat Terrier, the American Hairless Terrier was born in a litter of Rat Terriers in 1972.

The evolution of this breed is very different from other hairless breeds. The American Hairless Terrier was independently developed when a hairless pup was produced in a litter of normal Rat Terriers. The owners of this pup, Edwin and Willie Scott attempted to breed her to other Rat terriers but were not successful in having another hairless pup until years later. Then they had a litter with one male and one female hairless puppy.

From that point on they worked with a veterinarian and a geneticist to develop the breed until it was accepted as a separate breed from the Rat Terrier in 2004 and accepted into the AKC in 2016.

The breed is very rare and with hairless dogs breeding only produces about two thirds of the litter as hairless and one third as coated. If a hairless is bred to a coated terrier, the chances of getting hairless puppies are 50% hairless and 50% coated. It is very rare to get a hairless when breed two coated terriers. The difference between the American Hairless Terrier and other hairless breeds is that the hairless gene in most breed is a lethal dominant gene, but in the AHT it is a recessive gene.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Terrier dog
Origin:
Ireland
United States
Height Male:
30 - 36 cm
11 - 15 inches
18 - 45 cm
7 - 18 inches
Height Female:
30 - 36 cm
11 - 15 inches
16 - 40 cm
6 - 16 inches
Weight Male:
12 - 16 kg
26 - 36 pounds
3 - 12 kg
6 - 27 pounds
Weight Female:
12 - 16 kg
26 - 36 pounds
2 - 10 kg
4 - 23 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
14 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
3 - 5
Size:
Small dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Wicklow Terrier, Glen
AHT, American Hairless Rat Terrier
Colors Available:
tan, Wheaten, blue
variety of colors and patterns (blue, black, brown, pink, sable and tan) with white
Coat:
Medium length and wiry
hairless, coated variety has a short dense coat
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Energetic, Lively, Loving, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

glen of imaal terrier puppy - descriptionAn interesting fact with the Glen of Imaal Terrier is that this is a dwarf breed, being a big sized dog on short legs, with the front feet turning out.

A typical Glen of Imaal Terrier stands at roughly 30 – 36cm and weighs up to about 16kg. Another interesting aspect with this dog is that it can take up to 4 years to reach maturity.

The head of this muscular dog is large, the ears are half erect, and while the tail has always been traditionally docked, it is often left long. The double coat of the dog is soft with the undercoat but he has a wiry outercoat. The color of the coat is essentially wheaten, tan or blue. The coat doesn’t shed much but some Glen owners strip excess hair a few times during the years.

Temperament:

Glen of Imaal terriers are energetic, easygoing and they make splendid pets for any family. He is more than happy to give up lying around for games and activity just to lie at his owner’s feet. He is an intelligent dog too and even though he is somewhat stubborn, he responds well to training and socialization. In fact training and socialization is important for every dog breed to prevent negative behavior and to ensure your pet is obedient.

american hairless terrier puppy - descriptionThe American Hairless Terrier is similar to it’s breed of origin, the Rat Terrier, and the coated AHT looks very much like a Rat Terrier. They are small to medium in size, very muscular and have more refined features than the Rat Terrier. Their round eyes can be a variety of colors including amber, brown, grey, turquoise and blue. The tail is not docked but rather long and thin.

The AHT might have eyebrows and whiskers or they might only have whiskers. Their head is broad, and wedge shaped with upright ears. They are an energetic, social and intelligent dog.

Characteristics

glen of imaal terrier dog - characteristicsThe Glen of Ismaal Terrier is more docile than other terrier breeds, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t feisty. He loves to play and is an adventurous dog, always on the lookout for exciting opportunities and to chase prey.

He is a good natured pet and he gets on well with adults, children and pets in the home. He can adapt well to life in the city or in the countryside so long as he is with his family members.

He isn’t a couch potato dog though, and wherever he lives, he will need a good amount of exercising. Treat him with the love and respect he craves, and you’ll have a wonderful canine companion.

american hairless terrier dog - characteristicsThis is a curious, intelligent, little dog. They are terrific family dogs with a note to say they are better with older children than with younger. If they are raised with small children, then they are terrific with them. They are territorial, and the children become part of their territory. They will guard and protect them.

They need to play, and this is the biggest requirement for owners. Be sure you have time for them. This is not a couch potato dog. They have a lot of energy and can be destructive and “barky” if that energy is not dissipated. They are terriers through and through and love to “go to ground” whether going in holes they find or digging the holes themselves. They will go after small rodents like chipmunks. They need to be protected in these activities since their skin is vulnerable to scratches and cuts from brush. Their prey drive is strong, so it is important to protect them from themselves in this respect.

They are curious and feisty and every inch the terrier. Affectionate, friendly, and social it is also important to remember they can be scared easily, hurt if play is too rough, and this will trigger barking. They make very good watch dogs.

Health Problems

glen of imaal terrier puppies - health problemsThe Glen of Imaal Terrier is a feisty, healthy breed, particularly when he gets the best food there is, then he is not likely to get ill easily.

However, just like other dogs, he can be prone to certain health conditions such as hip dysplasia. When a dog is diagnosed with hip dysplasia, the socket part of the joint is poorly developed, so that is causes abnormal friction.

Inflammation and pain can be the result and your dog can become lame. Unfortunately, rapid weight gain with puppies can put more stress on the hips, and diets without the right balance of vitamins and minerals can be bad for good bone development.

american hairless terrier puppies - health problemsThere are not many health problems bothering this sturdy little dog.

The American Hairless Terrier has limited breeding stock and it is still a rare breed. Its health problems are mostly related to its hairless state. The breed is highly susceptible to sunburn, rashes, pimples, and allergies. They often need clothing in all seasons to protect them from the heat of the sun or from the cold. The skin must be cleaned regularly often daily with soap and water. This is especially true if sunscreen is used as they are open to skin infections.

Hip dysplasia is also a common issue for this small breed.

Caring The Pet

glen of imaal terrier dogs - caringCaring for a Glen of Imaal isn’t going to be a huge job. This is what makes him such a wonderful pet as he is a straightforward pet, requiring little more than a brush to avoid the hair matting.

Check his ears, teeth and nails from time to time to ensure he is always in tip top condition.

Diet:

If you intend making use of the convenience of commercially manufactured dog foods, the top quality one will provide you with balanced nutrition for your Glen and you can mix in some cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken from time to time.

The Glen of Imaal Terrier is a small-breed dog and, he should be offered dog food that has been specially formulated for small, energetic dog breeds. You can also add in a little bit of raw meat into his kibble as a treat as this is important for keeping him free of skin allergies.

Make sure he always has a bowl of fresh, cool drinking water.

american hairless terrier dogs - caringThe American Hairless Terrier has some food needs that might be different from other breeds. They should not be given food that contains soy, wheat or corn. They need to be fed at least 3-4 times a day in small amounts as puppies and twice a day as adult. Be sure to avoid overeating and obesity. Puppies need about 400 calories a day whether you feed four times or two times. The adult American Hairless Terrier needs about 500-600 calories per day. This might be half a cup to a cup per day.

Health issues

As previously mentioned the American Hairless Terrier has skin health issues and is also prone to hip dysplasia.

Exercise and games

This is a great breed for games if you make them small to match his size. He is energetic, athletic and playful. He loves agility, lure chasing and barn hunt activities. They need a good half hour of vigorous exercise per day.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Jack Russell Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Miniature Schnauzer vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  3. Rat Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  4. Scottish Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  5. Patterdale Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Norwich Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  7. Norfolk Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  8. Parson Russell Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Russell Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  10. Manchester Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Miniature Fox Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  12. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  13. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  14. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  15. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Border Terrier - Breed Comparison
  16. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  17. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Bull Terrier Miniature - Breed Comparison
  19. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  20. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  21. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier - Breed Comparison
  22. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Cesky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  23. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Chilean Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Black and Tan Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Cairland Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Boston Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Jack Russell Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Miniature Schnauzer vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Cairn Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Border Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Rat Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Scottish Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Patterdale Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. American Hairless Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. American Hairless Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Bull Terrier Miniature vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Norwich Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Norfolk Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. English White Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Parson Russell Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Russell Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Feist vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Manchester Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. Miniature Fox Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Cesky Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Schnorkie vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  48. Sealyham Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  49. Chilean Fox Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds