Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Brittany - Breed Comparison

Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Brittany - Breed ComparisonGlen of Imaal Terrier is originated from Ireland but Brittany is originated from France. Glen of Imaal Terrier may grow 16 cm / 6 inches shorter than Brittany. Both Glen of Imaal Terrier and Brittany are having almost same weight. Both Glen of Imaal Terrier and Brittany has almost same life span. Glen of Imaal Terrier may have less litter size than Brittany. Both Glen of Imaal Terrier and Brittany 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.

brittany - historyOne of the most intense bird dog breeds in existence is the Brittany, bred for hunt. The breed used to be called the Brittany Spaniel, but since the breed is closer to a setter or pointer, that moniker has been dropped. The Brittany is named for the French Province in which they were originally developed. Sometime from the 17th to the 19th centuries, the breed was developed. Images of a very similar dog can be found on 17th century paintings and tapestries. However, the first written description comes from 1850 by a Reverend Davies, describing a hunting episode. The breed was recognized officially in the early part of the 20th century and made a splash at the 1900 Paris Dog Show.

The first official standards were written in about 1907 and the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1934.The Brittany is expected to point to and then retrieve birds and other small ground game. Because the Brittany both points and retrieves they are known in the U.K. as a Hunt, Point and Retrieve breed or an HPR, and they have more Dual Champions than the rest of the AKC Sporting group.

There are actually two types of Brittanys in the minds of many breeders. There is the “French” Brittany and the “American” Brittany. When the breed arrived in the United States in 1931 they became immensely popular in a short period of time. In 1942 American Breeders began the American Brittany Club, rewriting the French standard to fit the dog they knew. Today there are definitely difference between the two sub-sets that can easily be seen. The French dog is smaller than the American dog. The American dog is a runner pacing ahead of the hunter while the French dog works more closely with their human companions. Another visible difference is that the French accept black spotted Brittanys, while in the United States a black spotted coat is considered a fault. Both sub-sets are known for their willingness to follow human directions, their eagerness for the hunt, and their agility and speed.

Unfortunately, the European wars took their toll on this breed as they did on many others. Following the second World War, their numbers in Europe were drastically reduced. The French had stop breeding them altogether during the war. It was in this depleted gene pool that the French agreed to accept the black spotted Brittany. Along with the U.S., Canada also does not recognize the black spotted Brittany.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Gun dog
Origin:
Ireland
France
Height Male:
30 - 36 cm
11 - 15 inches
43 - 52 cm
16 - 21 inches
Height Female:
30 - 36 cm
11 - 15 inches
40 - 50 cm
15 - 20 inches
Weight Male:
12 - 16 kg
26 - 36 pounds
14 - 20 kg
30 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
12 - 16 kg
26 - 36 pounds
12 - 18 kg
26 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
12 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
1 - 12
Size:
Small dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Wicklow Terrier, Glen
Brittany Spaniel Brittany Wiegref Epagneul Breton French Brittany
Colors Available:
tan, Wheaten, blue
tricolor, orange roan, liver roan, black roan
Coat:
Medium length and wiry
Flowing Medium length
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful, Sweet
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
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.

brittany puppy - descriptionThe Brittany is much like other hunting dogs – pointers and retrievers – in size and stature. He is solid and strong but not heavy. He is compact with an average size head and floppy ears, docked tails or short natural tails, and expressively intelligent looking eyes. He is athletic, energetic, and alert. He has a long, elastic and free gait. The French dog is smaller and the dog with black spots is accepted. The American Brittany is larger and only a tri-color of orange, liver and white is acceptable.

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.

brittany dog - characteristicsThe Brittany is particularly trainable and friendly. They love to play and are sweet-natured. They don’t due well with harsh correction though and a stern look will cause them to wither. Socialize them young or they can become shy around strangers. They are loyal and family oriented. They can easily become attached to their humans.

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.

brittany puppies - health problemsThe breed is a hardy one and Brittanys are mostly healthy dogs. In Europe 1 in 5 dogs dies of old age and that age is usually 14 or 15 years. They do have a few issues that they may be susceptible to. These would include:

Ears – prone to infections

Hip Dysplasia – bones don’t fit well into joints

Epilepsy – mild or serious seizures are possible.

Hypothyroidism – Low levels of thyroid hormone

Canine Discoid Lupus Erythematosus – autoimmune disease

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.

Feeding

brittany dogs - caringDon’t overfeed your Brittany. Keep him at hunting weight by feeding a half a cup up to 2 cups per day depending on the size of your dog and activity levels. Serve this in two meals not one.

Health issues

Ears – prone to infections – make sure that you check them and wipe them out routinely to prevent infections.

Hip Dysplasia – bones don’t fit well into joints – this can be genetic or otherwise, causing lameness and arthritis. If severe it can require surgery to correct.

Epilepsy – mild or serious seizures are possible. This can be genetic/hereditary but is set off by an infectious disease of the brain, head injury, poison, tumor, or metabolic disorder. There is no cure, but medication can be very effective.

Hypothyroidism – Low levels of thyroid hormone – can cause drooping eyelids, obesity, lethargy, mental difficulties or irregular heat cycles or all of this. Medication is available as it is for humans but must be taken daily for the rest of the dog’s life

Canine Discoid Lupus Erythematosus – autoimmune disease that is rare in dogs. Cats and humans can also have it. It is a skin disease and does not become the more serious and deadly Systemic Lupus. The Discoid version of this disease causes loss of pigmentation and a scaling on the nose which can then progress to the skin around the ears, eyes and genitals. There could be ulcerated lesions and tissue death in more severe cases. Sun exposure can make the condition worse.

Exercise and games

The Brittany is a hunting dog that acts like a pointer but will retrieve fowl and birds in the water or on land. If you don’t hunt, the Brittany can still be your family dog. They need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. They need a job if they are not going to hunt and expect them to be distracted by every bird they see. Try flyball, agility, FAST CAT, field trials and dock diving. They are very task oriented and have boundless energy. They excel at obedience and confirmation as well.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. English Springer Spaniel vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  2. Brittany vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  3. Brittany vs Boykin Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  4. Brittany vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  5. Brittany vs Braque d'Auvergne - Breed Comparison
  6. Brittany vs Barbet - Breed Comparison
  7. Brittany vs Blue Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  8. Brittany vs Canadian Pointer - Breed Comparison
  9. English Setter vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  10. French Brittany vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  11. Pudelpointer vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  12. Picardy Spaniel vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  13. Ariege Pointer vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  14. Pont-Audemer Spaniel vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  15. Irish Water Spaniel vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  16. Deutsch Drahthaar vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  17. Clumber Spaniel vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  18. Stabyhoun vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  19. Styrian Coarse Haired Hound vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  20. Vizsla vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  21. Large Munsterlander vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  22. Tyrolean Hound vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  23. Cockalier vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  24. Braque du Bourbonnais vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  25. Cesky Fousek vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  26. Jack Russell Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Miniature Schnauzer vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Rat Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Scottish Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Patterdale Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Norwich Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Norfolk Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Parson Russell Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Russell Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Manchester Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Miniature Fox Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Border Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Bull Terrier Miniature - Breed Comparison
  44. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  46. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Cesky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  48. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Chilean Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  49. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Black and Tan Terrier - Breed Comparison
  50. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Cairland Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds