Aggressive, or Misunderstood? What no one tells you about Glens’ temperament
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There are rumors about the behavior of the Glen of Imaal Terrier. Some say it’s a difficult dog to train. Others go as far as saying it’s an aggressive breed. Don’t believe everything you read. Ask Glen experts. We’ll tell you the truth. Warts and all!
The first thing to understand is that Glen of Imaal Terriers were bred as working dogs. Back in the day, these highly intelligent dogs would hunt badgers or even fight other dogs to earn a few pennies for their Irish owner. These traits did not disappear into thin air!
Glens’ fierceness, as well as their hunting instinct and courage are still a big part of their DNA. To this day, Glens make wonderful watchdogs. They are very territorial when it comes to their family’s space. That’s why you should expect a Glen to bark when the doorbell rings or when the postman makes his rounds.
If you’re familiar with the Glen of Imaal Terrier breed standards, a line might spark your curiosity: “Game and spirited with great courage when called upon, otherwise gentle and docile”. This sums up Glen’s personality, and it should put your fears at ease.
What the breed standards mean is that a Glen makes a great family dog with his loving and calm disposition. But when provoked or “called upon”, a Glen will assert his courageous nature to defend his household or owner.
Glens are generally polite with humans. But when it comes to other dogs, things are not as simple. While a Glen would not provoke a fight with another dog, once they get started, they don’t stop! They’re more likely to get into a rumble with a same sex dog, but there are warning signs you must pay attention to!
They don’t necessarily start barking right away. But they wave their tails and their hair rises significantly. So, the most important thing to do is to pay attention to your Glen. With time, you will also be able to identify the situations that make them engage into a fight so that you can prevent damages. Usually, this kind of behavior scares people, as well as the loud, deep barks which sound like they’re coming from a much bigger dog.
But don’t worry. Glens are NOT an aggressive breed! If you pay attention to his body language and train him properly, you’ll know how to avoid an unpleasant encounter. With respect, calm and consistent leadership, your Glen will excel at picking up new tricks and he will be a civilized, well-behaved companion.