The Glen of Imaal Terrier is a strong, sturdy breed that’s known for being both a hardworking dog and a loyal companion. Despite their small size, they have unique nutritional needs to support their muscular build and keep them healthy throughout their lives. Our nutrition experts at Petabolix have crafted recommendations tailored to the Glen of Imaal Terrier, ensuring your dog receives the best food to fuel their energy, maintain a healthy weight, and promote joint health.

Breed Summary

The Glen of Imaal Terrier is a charming, strong-willed breed that hails from the remote glens of Ireland. Originally bred to hunt small game and even rid homes of vermin, the Glen is a true working terrier, but with a calmer demeanor compared to many other terrier breeds. Their short, sturdy bodies, strong legs, and broad heads make them perfectly suited for both digging and chasing prey, while their laid-back personality at home makes them wonderful companions.

Glens are known for their unique appearance, with a rough double coat and a slightly longer body compared to their height, giving them a "low and long" look. Their coat requires regular grooming to keep it tidy, but they are not heavy shedders. While they’re playful and love outdoor activities, they’re not as hyperactive as some other terrier breeds, making them well-suited for both active families and those with a more moderate lifestyle. Despite their calm nature, Glen of Imaal Terriers are fiercely loyal and protective of their families, with a brave spirit that belies their small stature.

Vet’s Note

The Glen of Imaal Terrier has a few breed-specific health considerations that owners should be mindful of. They are prone to hip dysplasia due to their robust, muscular build, so diets rich in glucosamine and chondroitin are beneficial to support joint health. Glen Terriers also have a tendency to gain weight if not exercised regularly, so managing their caloric intake with high-quality, lean protein is important. Additionally, some Glens may suffer from skin allergies, meaning a diet that includes omega fatty acids can help keep their skin and coat healthy.

Health Considerations for Glen of Imaal Terriers

Dental

A Glen of Imaal Terrier's teeth and gums are always under plaque attack, which forms naturally from food particles and other bacteria. Dogs aren’t too concerned about having pretty white teeth, but dental care is critical for oral health. Bacteria in the mouth can even affect internal organs, like the heart, liver and kidneys, so there are certain things below we like to see in food or supplements to combat these threats to Glen of Imaal Terriers. Learn more about how to take care of your dog's teeth.

Puffy/crunch kibbles (bigger)
Sodium hexametaphosphate
Treats based on solubility, not hardness

Gut

Think of your Glen of Imaal Terrier's gut like a diverse community of bacteria and other microbes that work together to keep the body healthy. Keeping all these balanced is very important for overall health, including digestive, mental, and immune well-being. For these reasons, we prefer Glen of Imaal Terrier food that support the GI system and supplements that contain attributes below. Learn more about gut and digestive health in dogs and how to keep a dog's gut healthy.

Prebiotics
Probiotics
Fermented foods

Bone & Joint

It’s very common for breeds like the Glen of Imaal Terrier to develop discomfort or pain in their joints and bones, especially as they age. Some of these issues are hereditary, and some come from wear and tear over time. We can’t usually prevent these problems, but proper nutrition and weight management will do wonders in minimizing pain in our beloved pets. We always make sure diets include the ingredients below. Learn more about joint health in dogs.

Glucosamine
Methylsulfonymethane
Chondroitin
Omega-3 from Fish Oil
Green Mussel
Taurine
Turmeric
Vitamin E
Antioxidants

Cognitive

Puppy and senior Glen of Imaal Terriers need a little extra brain power in their nutrition plans. In the early years, puppy brains are developing quickly and need a healthy flow of vitamins to help them grow strong. Once they hit senior years, brain function can deteriorate and we like to supplement their diets with nutrients that will keep them sharp. Learn more about cognitive nutrition for dogs.

Omega-3 essential fatty acids
Vitamin E
Vitamin C
L-carnitine

Eye

The only thing better than looking into your Glen of Imaal Terrier’s eyes is looking into your Glen of Imaal Terrier’s healthy eyes. All dogs are susceptible to degenerative vision and eye function, but supplementing their diets with things like beta carotene, lutein, EPA, DHA, and other nutrients can help maintain quality vision. Learn more about eye nutrition for dogs.

Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Anthocyanins
Astaxanthin
Beta-carotene
Carotenoids
Glutathione
Lutein
Lycopene
Omega-3 essential fatty acids
Phytonutrients

Skin & Coat

Skin is a Glen of Imaal Terrier’s largest organ, and it plays a huge role in protecting from the outside world. Just think — weather, allergies, stress, parasites — all these things are trying to get under your dog’s skin. A healthy outer layer is key to avoiding irritants that may irritate or infect. And pay close attention to their coat. Unhealthy looking (or smelling) fur can mean bigger problems. To keep Glen of Imaal Terrier skin & coats healthy, we recommend that diets contain ingredients below. Learn more about skin nutrition for dogs and the dog foods focused on a healthy coat..

GLA
ALA
Omega-3 fatty acids
Vitamin E
Vitamins and choline
Flaxseed/fish oil
Antioxidants
Probiotics

Heart

Chances are, if you’re doing what’s right for your Glen of Imaal Terrier’s heart, you’re doing what’s right for his or her health overall. Proper exercise, weight management, and nutrition are all key to a healthy ticker. Most heart issues in dogs are a result of normal wear and tear with age, so heart-focused diets with taurine and omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil could be the gift of a lifetime for your Glen of Imaal Terrier. Learn more about heart nutrition for dogs.

Taurine
Carnitine
Omega-3 fatty acids
Antioxidants
Complete protein
Low sodium

Immune

There is a powerful little army inside your Glen of Imaal Terrier (the immune system) that protects the body from bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins and countless other microscopic predators. As pet parents, our job is to keep this army strong, conditioned, and well-supplied. Most of the battle is won in the gut, so a balanced diet plus probiotics and antioxidants are key for victory. Learn more about immune system nutrition for dogs.

Antioxidants
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Omega-3 fatty acids
Fish oil
Coconut oil

Weight Management & Obesity

There is nothing more important than keeping your Glen of Imaal Terrier at a healthy weight. Even a little excess poundage can cause a wide variety of health problems, including the pain of extra burden on their joints. Unfortunately, almost half of dogs in the US are overweight. Let’s fight dog obesity together by giving our dogs appropriate exercise and managing their caloric intake. If your Glen of Imaal Terrier needs to shed a little weight, look for diets with these labels below. Learn more about weight management and obesity for dogs and how to tell if your dog is overweight.

Low calorie
Low fat
Large bites (to slow chewing)
L-carnitine

Are Fresh Food Diets Good for Glen of Imaal Terriers?

Only if they’re properly balanced.

Many well-intentioned Glen of Imaal Terrier parents spend a lot of time preparing meals at home, but health benefits are lost if meals aren’t properly portioned and balanced with all the nutrients dogs need. Recently, a few companies have done an excellent job ensuring accurate portions and nutrient balance by delivering pre-prepped fresh meals customized to the size and needs of your dog. Farmer’s Dog, Ollie and Nom Nom have each been approved by our nutrition team as delivering truly quality and well-balanced meals. They can be a little expensive (usually 3-4x more per day than kibble), but many find the added health benefits worth the cost. They do offer discounts to new customers, though, if you’d like to try one out.

Pros and Cons of Fresh Food Diets

✓ Diets balanced by Nutritionists
✓ Customized portions for weight control
✓ Superior digestive and immune health
✕ More expensive than standard dog food

Farmer's Dog

"Fresh, human-grade dog food"
Ollie

"Healthy, Simple and Delicious"
Nom Nom

"Real, fresh, custom dog food"

Foods We Recommend for Glen of Imaal Terrier Puppies

How long do Glen of Imaal Terriers need puppy food?
Until they're 12 to 16 months old

Glen of Imaal Terriers are very focused on growing, and how we feed them should help them do just that. Since they have so much growing to do, they need higher amounts of nutrients than adult dogs, especially proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and — don’t forget — water. It’s still important to not overfeed puppies, so make sure to portion food and keep treats to no more than 10% of their caloric intake. Since balance is so important, we recommend that your young Glen of Imaal Terrier is eating food that is made just for puppies from a reputable brand.

Foods We Recommend for Glen of Imaal Terrier Adults

When should Glen of Imaal Terriers start transitioning to adult food?
Until they're 12 to 16 months old

From a nutrition standpoint, Glen of Imaal Terrier become adults once they reach about 90% of their expected weight. Once adults, our two key nutrition goals are balance and maintenance. We want balance because a dog’s body is responsible for a lot of things, like digestion, fighting infection, keeping muscles strong, and chasing squirrels. These are all important tasks, so we want to make sure each body function gets its share of nutrients. We also need to maintain a healthy weight. Underfed dogs are at risk for malnourishment, and overfed dogs can become obese — both of which lead to even worse problems for a Glen of Imaal Terrier.

Foods We Recommend for Glen of Imaal Terrier Seniors

When should Glen of Imaal Terriers start transitioning to senior food?
All dogs can age differently, but Medium dogs like the Glen of Imaal Terrier can start to benefit from senior food around 7 to 8 years old

Ever watch kids running around the playground and wish you had that energy again? Yeah. Dogs get there, too. The metabolic processes in senior Glen of Imaal Terriers slow down as they age, which often means they aren’t needing quite as many calories as they did in their prime. Smart dog food companies have formulated senior diets to ease up on calories but still help them feel full and give them adequate maintenance protein. Still, like humans, everybody is different. Sometimes older dogs need just as many calories, or more, depending on how their bodies progress. So keep a close eye on their body condition, and look for dog foods made for seniors.

What are the Best Dog Foods for the Glen of Imaal Terrier?

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