Mini Sheepadoodles vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison

The Mini Sheepadoodle is such a sweet, teddy bear of a dog. It comes from two awesome dog breeds – the Old English Sheepdog and the Miniature Poodle. It is thought that the dog originated in the USA.

They are two very different looking dogs, but their personalities are fairly similar. This designer dog isn’t purebred and isn’t registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Hailing 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.

The Mini Sheepadoodle, a mix between the Mini Poodle and Sheepdog stands at between 48 and 52cm and weighs between 11 to 20kg.

He is solidly built with a broad skull and face. The coat is usually medium length and can be either straight, wavy or curly. The coat can be quite a few colors depending on the parents. Some are brown, cream or black while others are white and grey or white and brown.

He is a low shedding dog. He has a double coat which will still need brushing. This hybrid breed has a thick coat that will need to be trimmed professionally every now and then as well. This is good for hot weather and for reducing the time it takes to groom the pet.

Temperament:

They’re easy-going, social dogs, loving to spend time with their human families. They are gentle and patient with children and they get on well with other pets in the home as well.

The Poodle is a very intelligent dog and because there is Poodle in the Mini Sheepadoodle, you can be sure that your dog is going to be bright too and that he will be able to be trained and socialized with ease. They’re friendly and don’t do too well as watchdogs.

An 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.

The Mini Sheepadoodle is such an affectionate teddy-bear dog and is calm, gentle and loving.

They make perfect family pets and want to please their owners. He is friendly and gets on well with his human family as well as with other pets in the home.

Children love him as he is always willing to have a game. They’re sociable and playful and make a wonderful canine pet and companion in your home.

The 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.

They’re healthy dogs and you’re not likely to be spending too much time at the vet. Every dog can be prone to any one of the many common dog illnesses there are. These can be hip dysplasia, obesity, bloat, dental disease, cataracts and more.

Bloat:

This can be a life-threatening disease and treatment will be required as soon as possible. Known also as gastric dilatation and volvulus, the stomach twists and fills with gas. The dog’s stomach becomes distended with gas, and pressure is placed on the diaphragm, creating breathing problems.

Your dog will have a swollen stomach, he’ll be drooling and panting and he’ll be restless and he may even make little whimpering noises because he is in pain. He may be trying to vomit. Your dog needs to get to the vet immediately.

Hip dysplasia:

This is a leading health concern with many dogs and with the Mini Sheepadoodle as well. It’s a condition where there is an abnormal formation of the hip socket. It can lead to pain and arthritis and you may even notice your once-active pet battling to do what he once did, even when he is still young.

There are things that can be done though and your vet will discuss treatment methods with you and ideas to make it comfortable for your pet.

The 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.

Exercise:

The Mini Sheepadoodles will need quite a lot of exercise as he is an active dog. Walks are always a super idea, and hikes even better. He will love other forms of activities such as ball games, hide and seek, ropes games and general rough and tumble games.

Grooming:

A brush every other day will be required. You can have your pet professionally trimmed. Check him over during brushing for unusual lumps. Check inside his ears and inside his mouth as he can’t tell you about ear infections or a bad tooth causing him a lot of pain.

Diet:

Provide your wonderful dog with the best food there is. Just like human beings, food plays an important role in good health. Learn to read the labels on commercially manufactured dog foods and try to feed your pet natural, wholesome foods with vitamins and minerals.

Some of the more inferior brands pump their foods full of colorants and preservatives. Try and provide your Mini Sheepadoodle with some home-made food which is simple and free of spices. Things like boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables chopped up and added to the dry kibble sometimes can do your pet a lot of good.

Make sure your pet always has a bowl of fresh, cool water available.

General:

Provide your pet with a warm, dry place to sleep.

Make sure his vaccines are up to date and make sure you have a reliable trusted vet to turn to when he is sick.

Caring 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.