Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Maremma Sheepdog. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Glen of Imaal Terrier Versus Maremma Sheepdog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and for the Maremma Sheepdog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Glen of Imaal Terrier or the Maremma Sheepdog.

Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Maremma Sheepdog

Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Maremma Sheepdog: Overview

A very important difference between the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Glen of Imaal Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Maremma Sheepdog is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Glen of Imaal Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

On the other hand, the Maremma Sheepdog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Maremma Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Glen of Imaal Terrier to the Maremma Sheepdog based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog

Factor Glen of Imaal Terrier Maremma Sheepdog
Does NOT Shed 5/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Height 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder 23.5 to 28.5 inches
Life Span 12 to 15 years 11 to 13 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 1/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
General Health 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 2/5
Weight Up to 35 pounds 65 to 100 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.0 years
Price Range No Data $495 – $1500
Average Price No Data $1160
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • CONE ROD DYSTROPHY
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Must have an eye examination performed by an AVCO opthalmologist (or equivalent in foreign countries) beginning at 2 years of age and repeated every 2 years until age 8
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Shoulders
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Glen of Imaal Terrier in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Maremma Sheepdog. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Glen of Imaal Terrier is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Maremma Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Glen of Imaal Terrier is a better pet than the Maremma Sheepdog. So, you should get the Glen of Imaal Terrier!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog are most different:

  • Glen of Imaal Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Maremma Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Glen of Imaal Terriers adapt well to apartment living. However, Maremma Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Glen of Imaal Terriers are very easy to train. However, Maremma Sheepdogs are not easy to train.
  • Glen of Imaal Terriers are very easy to groom. However, Maremma Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Glen of Imaal Terriers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Maremma Sheepdogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog

    The Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog are most similar:

  • Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Maremma Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog.

    Glen of Imaal Terriers weigh Up to 35 pounds when fully grown. Glen of Imaal Terriers are 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Maremma Sheepdogs weigh 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Maremma Sheepdogs are 23.5 to 28.5 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Maremma Sheepdog

    The lifespan of Glen of Imaal Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Glen of Imaal Terriers is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Maremma Sheepdogs is between 11 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Maremma Sheepdogs is 12.0 years.

    Glen of Imaal Terriers live longer than Maremma Sheepdogs.

    Adopting the Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Adopting the Maremma Sheepdog

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Glen of Imaal Terriers and many Maremma Sheepdogs are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Glen of Imaal Terrier named Rupert that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Glen of Imaal Terriers like Rupert on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Glen of Imaal Terriers, Maremma Sheepdogs are also available for adoption. For example, Leo is a Male Maremma Sheepdog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Maremma Sheepdogs like Leo that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Glen of Imaal Terriers and Maremma Sheepdogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Health Problems of Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Health Problems of Maremma Sheepdog

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Maremma Sheepdog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Glen of Imaal Terrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Maremma Sheepdog than for the Glen of Imaal Terrier.

    4 health tests are recommended for Glen of Imaal Terrier while 5 tests are recommended for the Maremma Sheepdog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Glen of Imaal Terriers and in Maremma Sheepdogs.

    Glen of Imaal Terrier Health Problems

    Glen of Imaal Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Glen of Imaal Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Glen of Imaal Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Glen of Imaal Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Glen of Imaal Terriers for:

  • CONE ROD DYSTROPHY
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Must have an eye examination performed by an AVCO opthalmologist (or equivalent in foreign countries) beginning at 2 years of age and repeated every 2 years until age 8
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Glen of Imaal Terriers here.

    Maremma Sheepdog Health Problems

    Maremma Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Maremma Sheepdog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Maremma Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Maremma Sheepdog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Maremma Sheepdogs for:

  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Shoulders
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Maremma Sheepdogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Glen of Imaal Terriers and Maremma Sheepdogs

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Glen of Imaal Terrier Breed is Cone Rod Dystrophy problems.

    This is because the Glen of Imaal Terrier ranks 1 out of 2 dog breeds for Cone Rod Dystrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 356 Glen of Imaal Terriers, 7 of them had Cone Rod Dystrophy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Glen of Imaal Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Glen of Imaal Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Cone Rod Dystrophy problems: Rank 1 out of 2 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 25 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 37 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 45 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Maremma Sheepdog Breed is Hips problems.

    This is because the Maremma Sheepdog ranks 59 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 159 Maremma Sheepdogs, 27 of them had Hips problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Maremma Sheepdogs, and how common these diseases are in Maremma Sheepdogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Hips problems: Rank 59 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Glen of Imaal Terrier and in Maremma Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog:

    Disease Glen of Imaal Terrier Rank Maremma Sheepdog Rank
    Cone Rod Dystrophy problems 1 out of 2 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 25 out of 198 dog breeds 59 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 37 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 45 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Maremma Sheepdog

    Glen of Imaal Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Maremma Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Glen of Imaal Terriers shed more than Maremma Sheepdogs?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Maremma Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Glen of Imaal Terrier or the Maremma Sheepdog

    Glen of Imaal Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Maremma Sheepdogs drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Glen of Imaal Terrier or the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Maremma Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Glen of Imaal Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Maremma Sheepdogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Glen of Imaal Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Maremma Sheepdogs?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Glen of Imaal Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Maremma Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Maremma Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Glen of Imaal Terrier vs. Maremma Sheepdog

    Glen of Imaal Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Maremma Sheepdogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Glen of Imaal Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Maremma Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Maremma Sheepdogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Glen of Imaal Terrier or the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Maremma Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Glen of Imaal Terriers good family dogs? What about Maremma Sheepdogs?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Glen of Imaal Terriers and Maremma Sheepdogs?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Maremma Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Glen of Imaal Terrier Easier to Train than the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers are very easy to train.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are not easy to train.

    Is the Glen of Imaal Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Maremma Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Glen of Imaal Terrier or the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Glen of Imaal Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Glen of Imaal Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Glen of Imaal Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Glen of Imaal Terrier:

  • Australian Terrier (79 percent match with Glen of Imaal Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Maremma Sheepdog vs Australian Terrier.
  • Silky Terrier (79 percent match with Glen of Imaal Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Maremma Sheepdog vs Silky Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maremma Sheepdog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Maremma Sheepdog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Maremma Sheepdog:

  • Central Asian Shepherd Dog (75 percent match with Maremma Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Central Asian Shepherd Dog.
  • Hovawart (72 percent match with Maremma Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Hovawart.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Glen of Imaal Terrier and how the Maremma Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Glen of Imaal Terrier and of the Maremma Sheepdog to other breeds:

    Glen of Imaal Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Irish Terrier     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Cavachon     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Mountain Cur     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Toy Poodle     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus French Spaniel     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Chorkie     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Kai Ken     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Australian Kelpie     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Pyredoodle     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Bordoodle     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Saint Bernard     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Akbash     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Borzoi     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Bouvier des Flandres     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Finnish Spitz     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Miniature Pinscher     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Rottweiler     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Pointer     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     

    Maremma Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Maremma Sheepdog versus Cesky Terrier     Maremma Sheepdog versus Portuguese Pointer     Maremma Sheepdog versus Skye Terrier     Maremma Sheepdog versus Akbash     Maremma Sheepdog versus Belgian Malinois     Maremma Sheepdog versus Italian Greyhound     Maremma Sheepdog versus Stabyhoun     Maremma Sheepdog versus Maltipoo     Maremma Sheepdog versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Maremma Sheepdog versus Plott     Maremma Sheepdog versus Ibizan Hound     Maremma Sheepdog versus Pointer     Maremma Sheepdog versus Skye Terrier     Maremma Sheepdog versus Belgian Tervuren     Maremma Sheepdog versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Maremma Sheepdog versus Akita Chow     Maremma Sheepdog versus Welsh Terrier     Maremma Sheepdog versus Brussels Griffon     Maremma Sheepdog versus Sealyham Terrier     Maremma Sheepdog versus Cane Corso     Maremma Sheepdog versus Lowchen     Maremma Sheepdog versus Leonberger     Maremma Sheepdog versus Beaglier     Maremma Sheepdog versus Gordon Setter     Maremma Sheepdog versus Cavapoo     

    Conclusion: Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Maremma Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Maremma Sheepdog better suits you and your family.