Originally bred to pursue their prey underground, the Glen was designed to dig and still has that drive today. If you want to save your flowerbeds, it’s wise to train your Glen to use a designated digging area in the yard. Canine sports such as agility are a great way to let them burn off energy, but a brisk 30-minute walk around the neighborhood will do the trick, too.
He’s proving to be an excellent family dog and, for some owners, he carries on his traditional role as a capable hunting companion. The Glen was bred to be a hunter of small animals and has a strong inborn drive to chase. If you’ve got a yard, you’ll want a sturdy fence to keep your Glen from taking off after anything that wanders by that looks like prey.
Brushing once or twice a week keeps the coat from tangling, and a bath every three months or so— or whenever he’s rolled in something smelly — keeps it clean. The Glen coat is medium length, with a harsh-textured topcoat and shorter undercoat. Glens are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they’re prone to certain health conditions. Not all Glens will get any or all of these diseases, but it’s important to be aware of them if you’re considering this breed. He’s brave and feisty and, although he rarely starts a fight with other dogs, he’s most likely to finish it.
Bred to hunt fox and badger, and to keep homes free of rodents, the Glen is a skilled and cunning hunter. They’re also an affectionate family dog, gentle, and loving with their people. Glens who compete in the show ring have trimmed coats, but it’s fine to let a family dog go au naturel. Show Glens aren’t trimmed with clippers, like other breeds, but stripped — the coat is thinned and shortened with a sharp, comb-like tool called a stripping knife.
They’re also resilient enough to bounce back from your mistakes or inconsistencies. Contrary to popular belief, small size doesn’t necessarily an apartment dog make. Plenty of small dogs are too high-energy and yappy for life in a high-rise. Being quiet, low energy, fairly calm indoors, and polite with the other residents are all good qualities in an apartment dog.
I, Mitchel Omeara, am a retired American zookeeper and a former director emeritus of the Zoo and Aquarium. I have dedicated my life to the care and well-being of animals. I am 56 years old, and I have worked in zoos for over 35 years. I have been married for 32 years, and I have two children.