Oral anecdotal history suggests that dogs that were taken to church as foot warmers, but bolted out the front door when the preacher quoted Exodus 14:25: “He caused their chariot wheels to swerve, and He made them drive with difficulty…” may very well have been Glen of Imaal Terriers. These “low rider” dogs with the bowed front legs, a well padded loin, and powerful hindquarters were the ideal build to run in a wheel that rotated a spit over the hearth, a dog-powered rotisserie, if you will.  Generations of Glens kept vermin under control, watched and, if necessary, moved livestock around, and yes, were turnspit dogs who understandably ran for the hills at the mention of the word, “wheel.”

Because the breed originated in the Glen of Imaal (see how this works?) it is known by that name, but because the glen is in the western Wicklow mountains near the Lugnaquilla massif, it’s also been known as the Wicklow Terrier (in Irish, this appears  either as Gleann Uí Mháil, or Gleann Ó Máil).  These days, the area is mostly known as a military firing range, though it’s also a popular spot for hikers who, one presumes, know enough to check schedules for when there’s “fire in the hole.” But we digress.

The Ó Máil part of the name comes from the Leinster Irish dynasty that was descended from Maine Mál, whose brother was Cathair Mór, a high king who died in122 AD. The Irish name, “Brocaire Uí Mháil” is a combination of the word for “terrier,” brocaire  and Uí Mháil.  Interestingly, The word “glen” doesn’t actually appear in the Irish name.

It wasn’t until 1934 that the Irish Kennel Club gave the breed full recognition, making it the third of the four Irish terrier breeds to be accepted.

Image from Clipground and shared under the Creative Commons License.