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Breed Characteristics
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Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
| Other Names | Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Wheaten Terrier, Softcoated Wheaten Terrier |
| Nicknames | Wheatie, Wheaten |
| Country of Origin | Ireland |
| Weight | Males: 35 - 45 lbs. (16 - 20 kg) Females: 30 - 40 lbs. (14 - 18 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | Males: 18 - 20 in. (46 - 51 cm) Females: 17 - 19 in. (43 - 48 cm) |
| Coat | A single, silky relatively long and wavy coat that covers the entire body at the same length. The coat should be wavy but not curly and should not be straight or frizzy looking in appearance. The face will have a noticeable beard and for show purposes the coat cannot be clipped or plucked. The dog will shed very little with proper coat care and is recommended for those people that have dog allergies. The breed does not shed seasonally. |
| Colour | Apricot as puppies, wheaten only acceptable in adults. Some darker colouration of blue-gray on ears is acceptable but not encouraged. |
| Litter Size | 5 - 6 puppies |
| Life Span | 12 - 14 years |
| Origin & History | The Wheaten was bred in Ireland for over 200 years to be an all-purpose farm dog whose duties included herding, watching and guarding livestock, and vermin hunting and killing. They share a common ancestry with the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Irish Terrier but were not owned by gentry. Today, Wheaten terriers compete in obedience, agility, and tracking and are occasionally used in animal-assisted therapy as well. In Ireland, they were commonly referred to as the "Poor Man's Wolfhound." Their tails used to be docked to avoid taxes and were often kept to a specific size. Despite its long history, the Wheaten was not recognised as a breed in Ireland by the Irish Kennel Club until 1937. In 1943, the British Kennel Club recognised the breed in the UK as well. The first Wheatens were exported to Lydia Vogel in the United States in the 1940s, but serious interest in the breed took another ten years to develop. Finally, in 1973, they were recognised by the American Kennel Club. In the 1970s, the first Wheatens were imported into Australia by Anubis Kennels. Since then, many more have been imported. Recent importation of Irish-style dogs have improved and broadened the gene pool. |
| Personality | The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is strong, agile and well-coordinated. It is a happy, playful, spirited and friendly terrier. Alert, it makes a great watchdog and barks at the arrival of guests. It is usually very loving with children and gets along reasonably well with other dogs. An unsocialized dog with a meek owner who does not know how and when to correct negative behaviors may end up with a dog-aggressive dog. Some of these dogs that were not raised with cats may not get along well with them. All it takes is some fast movement on the part of the cat, and the dog's instincts will take over and he will chase them. The dog needs to be corrected right before it takes off after the cat. These dogs have a puppy attitude that remains with them throughout their lives. They are sweet-tempered, docile and self-confident. This breed needs to be taught, preferably when young, but older dogs can learn what is and is not acceptable behavior. It is very intelligent, so it will generally grasp quickly what is required of it. It has a straightforward nature and needs to be handled in a straightforward manner. Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers bond closely with their family. They seldom bark unnecessarily. The Soft Coated Wheaten should be well socialized with other dogs while it is a young puppy, but adults can learn what is unacceptable behavior if they have an owner who properly communicates with them. In order to have a well-behaved Wheaten, you must be firm, but calm, consistent and confident with the dog. Meek owners will find the dog will easily take over the home and will be hard to control. Do not allow this dog to jump on humans. Jumping dogs are not "greeting" the human. Jumping is a respect and a dominancy issue. |
Care Requirements
| Health | As with most of the terrier group the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier has few Health Problems. One condition that is of concern with the breed are protein wasting diseases (PLN and PLE). These conditions are immune diseases that often don't become noticeable until the dog is over five years of age. In addition the breed is Renal Dysplasia, a kidney problem, and flea Allergies both which can be treated. hip dysplasia, von Willebrands Disease and Progressive Retinal Atrophy are also occasionally but not commonly seen in the breed. Selecting a puppy from a reputable breeder will reduce the chances of the puppy having any serious genetic or inherited disease or condition. |
| Grooming | When grooming the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, the object is to achieve a natural look, and brushing can make the soft coat fuzzy. So using a brush is not recommended. Instead, frequent, even daily, combing of the long, profuse coat with a medium-toothed comb is recommended to keep it free of tangles—beginning when the dog is a puppy. Clean the eyes and check the ears carefully. Bathe or dry shampoo when necessary. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier does not shed in the spring and fall, but loose hair should be combed out of the coat from time to time. A well-groomed dog will shed very little. This breed is good for allergy suffers. |
| Exercise | The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier can get by with moderate exercise as long as it is taken for daily walks. |
| Other Considerations | The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is good for apartment life. These dogs are moderately active indoors and a small yard will do. This breed does not tolerate heat very well. |
