• Glens need daily exercise. 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.
• 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.
• Glens enjoy playing and roughhousing and can be wonderful companions for children, although they're strong and rambunctious enough to knock over small or young kids.
• Although they're not known to be barkers, the Glen will bark a lot if you accidentally encourage him. Don't run over to a barking Glen to see what the fuss is about--you'll teach him that if he makes a ruckus, he gets your attention. Teaching the "quiet" command is also helpful.
• The Glen can be aggressive to other dogs and needs plenty of time with other canines to learn how to get along with them, ideally beginning in puppyhood. Puppy kindergarten classes that give the pups time to play with each other, in addition to the obedience training, are an excellent way to help your dog hone his canine social skills.
• His strong prey instinct makes the Glen a poor fit for homes with other small pets that he may consider prey, such as cats, rabbits, and hamsters. It also means you'll need to teach him good leash manners, so he doesn't drag you halfway down the block when he spots something he wants to chase.
• 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.
• To get a healthy dog, never buy a puppy from an irresponsible breeder, puppy mill, or pet store. Look for a reputable breeder who tests her breeding dogs to make sure they're free of genetic diseases that they might pass onto the puppies, and that they have sound temperaments.

« History | Next: Rescue groups »