The Glen of Imaal Terrier originated in County Wicklow in Ireland during the 1800's. They were bred to be multi-purpose working dogs, with tasks ranging from hunting badger to (allegedly) turning meat in a fire by means of a hamster wheel-like contraption. Unlike most other terriers, they are "strong dogs", not "sounding dogs", meaning that instead of barking to alert their caretaker when they find prey, they enter the dens quietly to hunt.