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Glen of Imaal Terrier Dogs for Adoption in San Diego, CA

Your guide to finding and caring for a Glen of Imaal Terrier in San Diego

Glen of Imaal Terriers suit Clairemont's canyon-edged streets better than you'd expect from a terrier. They're sturdy, fairly mellow indoors, and happy with a couple of good walks along Tecolote Canyon rather than a long run. A fenced backyard in one of those 1950s neighborhoods gives a Glen room to dig, and a leash on the canyon trails suits a dog that will chase a lizard or squirrel. Adopting one in San Diego fits a steady, low-key household.

9908 dogs similar to Glen of Imaal Terrier available in San Diego and nationwide

Find your Glen of Imaal Terrier

Glen of Imaal Terriers and Similar Breeds Available for Adoption Near San Diego

About the Glen of Imaal Terrier breed

The Glen of Imaal Terrier comes from a remote valley in Ireland's Wicklow Mountains and is one of four native Irish terrier breeds. Farm families kept them to hunt rats, foxes and badgers, and tradition says they also turned kitchen spits. A Glen is a big dog on short legs, usually 30 to 40 pounds, with bowed front legs and a harsh coat in wheaten, blue or brindle.

Compared with many terriers, Glens tend to be calmer and quieter at home, though they keep a terrier's courage and readiness to chase. In San Diego that often means an easy fit for a Mission Valley condo or a Linda Vista bungalow, as long as walks happen and the coat gets regular care. The breed is uncommon, so watch the listings on this page.

Weight
30–40 lbs
Height
12–14 in
Lifespan
10–15 yrs
Temperament
Gentle, Spirited, Courageous
Group
Terrier
Shedding
Low to Moderate

Owning a Glen of Imaal Terrier in San Diego

Having a Glen of Imaal Terrier in San Diego

Glens pair a mellow indoor manner with a working terrier's toughness. Moderate energy, a wiry coat and a short, powerful frame shape most of the daily care, from walks and grooming to how the dog handles stairs and San Diego's warm days.

Temperament

Glens are often gentle, affectionate and quieter than most terriers, which helps in shared-wall apartments and condo buildings. They can be stubborn and may ignore commands that seem pointless. Some have strong prey drive or can be scrappy with other dogs, so early socialization and patient, reward-based training matter, and each Glen differs.

Exercise Needs

Plan on one or two good walks plus some play each day, not marathon sessions. Canyon trails and fenced off-leash pens give a Glen plenty to sniff and dig at, but chase instincts and trail wildlife mean a leash outside fenced areas. Puppies should skip heavy jumping and stairs while their growth plates mature.

Health Considerations

Glens are generally robust, but the breed carries a form of progressive retinal atrophy that a genetic test can detect. Mild hip dysplasia, growth plate injuries in young dogs and skin allergies also occur. Keep weight lean to protect the short legs and long back, and check the coat and paws for ticks and foxtails after canyon walks.

Living Space

A Glen does well in a San Diego apartment or house because it's usually calm and not especially vocal. That suits the condo and apartment buildings common in places like Mission Valley and Hillcrest. Daily walks matter more than yard size, though a fenced yard suits a digger. Long staircases can be hard on young or senior dogs.

What it costs to own a Glen of Imaal Terrier in San Diego

ExpenseTypical costPer year
Food$35 to $70 per month$420 to $840
Pet insurance$45 to $85 per month$540 to $1,020
Routine vet care$225 to $450 per year$225 to $450
Other*$540 to $1,390 per year$540 to $1,390
Estimated yearly total (after year one)$1,725 to $3,700

Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.

* The dog license, flea, tick and heartworm prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys and bedding, and weekly brushing with hand-stripping a few times a year.

Adopt a Glen of Imaal Terrier in San Diego.

Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have Glen of Imaal Terriers available.

Rescues in San Diego with Glen of Imaal Terriers Available

San Diego's shelters and rescues list dogs of all sizes, and an uncommon breed like the Glen appears only occasionally. Here are the rescues & shelters in the San Diego area where you can find Glen of Imaal Terriers and other dogs available for adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. San Diego has no breed bans, and California law limits breed-specific rules to spay/neuter and breeding programs. You'll need to license your Glen within 30 days of moving in or the dog turning 4 months, and an altered dog's license is $20 a year. Glens are uncommon, so watch the listings on this page and save a search.

Yes, usually. Glens are calm indoors and not especially vocal, which helps in shared buildings, but they still need daily walks and play. Read the building's pet policy for weight limits, since a Glen weighs 30 to 40 pounds. A ground-floor or elevator unit is easier on the short legs of a young or senior dog.

Doyle Community Park in University City has fenced off-leash turf, and Rancho Bernardo Park has an off-leash area too. Mission Trails Regional Park and Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve offer leashed trail walks with an 8-foot maximum leash. Watch for rattlesnakes on inland trails, and skip Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, which bans dogs.

Yes, with some care. Coastal summers average around 75°F, which most Glens handle comfortably, but inland neighborhoods like Mira Mesa run hotter, and the peak heat arrives from late August through October. Walk early or late, provide shade and water, and never leave a Glen in a parked car.

Only in limited cases. San Diego's MTS buses and Trolley require non-service animals to ride inside an enclosed carrier you can hold on your lap, which a 30 to 40 pound Glen won't fit. Service animals are welcome, and operators may refuse an animal that's noisy or disruptive. Plan on walking or driving for most trips.

Sometimes, on patios only. California law lets restaurants allow pet dogs in outdoor dining areas, but it's the restaurant's choice, and the dog must stay leashed and off chairs. Dogs aren't allowed indoors unless they're service animals. A calm Glen who settles under the table is a good candidate for patio dining.

Plan on weekly brushing and hand-stripping a few times a year to keep the harsh coat tidy. San Diego's mild climate doesn't change that routine much, though brushing after rain prevents matting and helps you spot ticks or foxtails. Grooming sits inside the Other costs of $540 to $1,390 a year, which also cover prevention and dental care.

Often, for active but relaxed households. A Glen's moderate exercise needs, quiet indoor manner and comfort in mild weather match San Diego well. Plan for coyotes and rattlesnakes near canyons, keep a leash on around wildlife, and microchip with current details, since fireworks around July 4 send many pets running even though consumer fireworks are illegal here.

We have 1 rescue with Glen of Imaal Terriers available: The Barking Lot Rescue. You can see every rescue with Glen of Imaal Terriers available in the list above these questions.

Plan on about $35 to $70 a month for food and $45 to $85 a month for pet insurance. Routine vet care runs $225 to $450 a year, and other costs such as prevention, dental care, the license and grooming add $540 to $1,390 a year. That puts a typical year at roughly $1,725 to $3,700.

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