AKC and IKC Standards
What is a standard?
A standard is a document that describes the features of purebred dogs in a manner that helps distinguish them from other purebred dogs. The AKC defines a breed standard as “A word picture describing how the perfect dog of a breed should look, move and behave.” As there is no “perfect dog,” the standard is an ideal that all responsible breeders should strive for in their purebred dogs.
The standard usually reflects the original purpose or work of the dog. Most standards will include a historical perspective that reminds us that even though dogs might not actively participate in their original role they should still conform to the breed standard if they are to be used as breeding stock.
When you first set eyes on a Glen of Imaal Terrier, you might not realize the whole appearance is determined by its primary function: vermin, especially large vermin control. The distinctive front legs should be bowed (crooked) and turned out, which enables a Glen to throw the dirt out to the sides when going to ground after quarry like badger and fox.
Their rising toppling—although an unusual one in the dog show ring—connects the short-legged wrap front to an extremely powerful rear which acts like a strong leverage when engaging a badger and pulling it out of the den. Glens are originally from Ireland where the native European species of badgers are quite big and muscular—they can weigh as much as a Glen. With his short heavily boned forelegs, huge head and surprisingly large teeth, a Glen of Imaal terrier presents a formidable and hard to injure target. Additionally, the small mobile ears, which lend such antique charm to the glen face and expression are able to swing out of the way to avoid injury.
In celebration of their working past, Glens should maintain their strength and agility. To get things done without the help of their owner, these remarkable dogs used to be equipped with fearless character and high intelligence. So why would we give up on the distinctive traits that make the Glen of Imaal Terrier a one-of-a-kind breed?
Unfortunately, there is more than one way to look at a Glen. The American Kennel Club has its standards, while the Irish Kennel Club has slightly different things to say. And if you think it’s too hard to figure out the differences, we’re making it easier for you, with a side-by-side comparison of the Glen of Imaal Terrier standards by the AKC and IKC.
Official Standards for Glen of Imaal Terriers: AKC (American Kennel Club) vs IKC (Irish Kennel Club – Native Standard & FCI Standard)
General Appearance
AKC
The Glen of Imaal Terrier, named after the region in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland where it was born long ago, is a medium-sized working terrier. Longer than tall and sporting a double coat of medium length, the Glen possesses great strength and should always convey the impression of maximum substance for size of dog. Unrefined to this day, the breed still possesses antique features that were once common to many early terrier types. The distinctive head with rose or half-prick ears, the bowed forequarters with turned out feet, the unique outline and topline are essential hallmarks of the breed.
IKC
Medium-sized with medium-length coat, great strength with the impression of maximum substance for the size of the dog.
Size, Proportion, Substance
a) Height
AKC
The maximum height is 14 inches with a minimum of 12 1⁄2 inches, measured at the highest point of the shoulder blades.
IKC
Dogs: 14 inches (35,5 cm) is the maximum
Bitches: accordingly, less
b) Weight
AKC
Weight is approximately 35 pounds, bitches somewhat less; however, no Glen in good condition and otherwise well-balanced shall be penalized for being slightly outside the suggested weight.
IKC
Dogs: 35 lbs (16kg)
Bitches: accordingly, less
c) Length
AKC
The length of body, measured from sternum to buttocks, and height measured from the highest point of the shoulder blades to ground, to be in a ratio of approximately 5 (length) to 3 (height). The overall balance is more important than any single specification.
IKC
Body longer than high and low to the ground.
d) Head
AKC
The head must be powerful and strong with no suggestion of coarseness. Impressive in size yet in balance with, and in proportion to, the overall size and symmetry of the dog.
IKC
Of good width, of fair length
e) Eyes
AKC
Brown, medium size, round and set well apart. Light eyes should be penalized.
IKC
Brown, medium size, round, well set apart. Light eyes should be penalized.
f) Ears
AKC
Small, rose or half pricked when alert, thrown back when in repose. Set wide apart and well back on the top outer edge of the skull. Full drop or prick ears undesirable.
IKC
Small rose or half pricked when alert, thrown back when in repose. Full drop or prick undesirable.
g) Skull
AKC
Broad and slightly domed; tapering slightly towards the brow. Of fair length, distance from stop to occiput being approximately equal to distance between ears.
IKC
Of good width and of fair length.
h) Muzzle
AKC
Foreface of power, strong and well filled below the eyes, tapering toward the nose. Ratio of length of muzzle to length of skull is approximately 3 (muzzle) to 5 (skull.) Bottle head or narrow foreface undesirable.
Stop – Pronounced.
Nose – Black.
Teeth – Set in a strong jaw, sound, regular, and of good size. Full dentition. Scissors bite preferred; level mouth accepted.
IKC
Foreface of power, tapering to the nose.
Nose: Black.
Stop: Pronounced.
Jaws/Teeth: Strong. Teeth sound, regular, strong and of good size. Scissor bite.
i) Neck
AKC
Very muscular and of moderate length.
IKC
Very muscular and of moderate length.
j) Topline
AKC
Straight, slightly rising to a very strong well-muscled loin with no drop-off at the croup.
IKC
Level.
k) Body
AKC
Deep, long and fully muscled. Longer than high with the ideal ratio of body length to shoulder height approximately 5 (length) to 3 (height).
Chest – Wide, strong and deep, extending below the elbows.
Ribs – Well sprung with neither a flat nor a barrel appearance.
Loin – Strong and well-muscled.
IKC
Body deep and long, and longer than high
Chest: Wide and strong, ribs well sprung.
Loin: Strong.
l) Tail
AKC
Docked to approximately half-length, in balance with the overall dog and long enough to allow a good handhold. Strong at root, well-set on and carried gaily. Dogs with undocked tails not to be penalized.
IKC
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.
m) Forequarters
AKC
Shoulder: Well laid back, broad and muscular
Forelegs: Short, bowed and well boned. Forearm should curve slightly around the chest. Upper arm (humerus) nearly equal in length to the shoulder blades (scapula). Feet to turn out slightly but perceptibly from pasterns.
Feet: Compact and strong with rounded pads.
IKC
Shoulder: 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.
n) Hindquarters
AKC
Strong and well-muscled, with ample bone and in balance with forequarters.
Thigh: Well-defined
Stifle: Well bent.
Hock joint: Turned neither in nor out, are short, well let down and perpendicular from hock to ground.
Feet: As front, except they should point forward.
IKC
Strong and well-muscled.
Thigh: Well-muscled
Stifle: Well bent
Hock joint: Turned neither in nor out.
Feet: Compact and strong with rounded pads.
o) Coat
AKC
Medium length, of harsh texture with a soft undercoat. The coat may be tidied to present a neat outline characteristic of a rough-and-ready working terrier. Over trimming of dogs is undesirable.
IKC
Medium length, of harsh texture with soft undercoat. Coat may be tidied to present a neat outline.
p) Color
AKC
Wheaten, blue or brindle. Wheaten includes all shades from cream to red wheaten. Blue may range from silver to deepest slate, but not black. Brindle may be any shades but is most commonly seen as blue brindle, a mixture of dark blue, light blue, and tan hairs in any combination or proportion.
IKC
Blue brindle but not toning to black.
Wheaten, from a light wheaten color to a golden reddish shade.
Puppies may be born colored Blue, Wheaten, or Reddish. Lighter colored 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.
r) Gait
AKC
The action should be free and even, covering the ground effortlessly with good reach in front and good drive behind. This is a working terrier, which must have the agility, freedom of movement and endurance to do the work for which it was developed.
IKC
Free, not hackneyed. Covers ground effortlessly with good drive behind.
Temperament
AKC
Game and spirited with great courage when called upon, otherwise gentle and docile. Although generally less easily excited than other terriers, the Glen is always ready to give chase. When working they are active, agile, silent and dead game.
IKC
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.
Faults
AKC
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.
IKC
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 and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Hound ears.
Undershot bite, overshot bite.
Too short in body.
Straight front.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
- Aggressive or overly shy dogs.
- Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioral abnormalities shall be disqualified.
- Black & Tan color.
- Narrow foreface.
N.B.
- Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum (this expression is obligatory in every standard).
- Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.
Conclusion
The devil is in the details. And if you’ve explored this side-by-side documentation you might’ve figured out the following variations in the Glen of Imaal Terrier breed standards:
- The American Kennel Club calls for a slightly rising topline, while the IKC demands for a level topline
- When it comes to teeth, while both standards encourage a scissor bite, the AKC also accepts a level mouth
- The Irish Kennel Club has a more strict regulation of faults, also displaying some disqualifying features. The AKC’s standard faults are a bit more vague, which could trigger serious inequity.