Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Beagle-Harrier - Breed Comparison

The Beagle Harrier, the breed that was made mixing the France Scent Hounds and a Beagle. It is not quite sure if this breed was made on purpose or the mix of the breeds happened and resulted in a great dog so the breeding continued. Since they are not large dogs as hounds, they are used to hunt small animals.

This first breeding took place in England, but after the 14th century, they were breed on purpose in France.

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 Beagle Harrier is a scent hound that is described as a big sized Beagle or a small sized Harrier. This breed was developed from this two breeds, actually. Despite the looks of these breeds, the Beagle Harrier is an energetic kind of dog who gets very attached to his family. This medium sized pet comes in variations of colours and they are usually tricoloured. They usually have dark coloured eyes, white paws, and They usually grow up to have a very muscular body, but, if you don’t provide them with the daily activity they need, they will quickly get obese and unhappy.

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.

Children friendliness

The Beagle Harrier, if trained properly and socialized while he was still a pup, will be the great playmate for any child. They get along with strangers, as well. We might say that they will get along with anybody who is ready to run and play with him. Children are most likely that kind of playdate, so it appears that they like children more. The Beagle Harrier is a great family pet, and he is great with babies, toddlers, teenagers… so don’t be afraid to leave the dog alone during the playdate!

Special talents

hunting, scent tracking, search dog

Adaptability

Some will say that the Beagle Harrier is one of the most desirable pets because of his loving and lively nature. They get along with almost anyone and they don’t mind living indoors if you have the time to take him out for a daily run each day. They will do great in a large group of people and any public places so you can take your Beagle Harrier with you anywhere you go.

Learning ability

Since the Beagle Harrier is placed in a group of the hound dogs, you must be aware that he will have the attitude of the pack leader. Once you got the Beagle Harrier puppy, you must start training and socializing him in order to grow the pet that will be easy to handle and accepted by the family and all the people around you, even strangers. They are very intelligent and they have a calm nature so they will be quite easy to train.

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.

Dysplasia

Almost every active dog suffers from joint diseases. Even though it’s generally a genetic disease, you can lower the chances of hip or elbow dysplasia by taking care of your dog’s weight, diet and daily exercise.

Ear infections

The Beagle Harrier has big ears that are always set down. That makes them ideal for the dirt accumulation, ear irritations and ear infections. Check his ears regularly and clean them at least once a week.

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.

Diet tips

Since the Beagle Harrier is an active dog breed, they will need food for the active dogs. Make sure you provide them with quality food that will give them enough strength to get through the very active day, and not gain too much of the weight. It is very important that you don’t overfeed him because this breed quickly becomes obese. It is advisable to use treats while you train him to do new tricks, but be very careful with the amount you give to the dog.

Puppies need to be fed only two times a day. Once you decide which brand of food you will use, stick with them until the dog is 6 months old. Make sure they have enough nutrients and the quality ingredients that will help them with growing strong and healthy bones.

Points for Good Health

If you want Beagle Harrier to grow up in a happy and healthy dog, make sure you provide him with quality food, lots of exercises and unconditional love. They are extremely loving and they get depressed if left alone. Grooming tips are very clear – they need a regular brush because shed a lot. The more you brush, the less hair you will find on your hands during the belly rubs.

Games and Exercises

If your Beagle Harrier is trained and socialized, the dog park will be the best daily activity for him. If there is no dog park near your house, take him to the bike ride, jogging, swimming, hiking, markets, parks… They love to be off the leash and with people but since they are the hound dogs, don’t be surprised if they get distracted by smelling something more interesting than the ball. They would love to grow up in a house with a large yard, but, if you live in the apartment, make sure that you take time for his daily activity.

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.