Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is not your everyday, typical terrier dog breed. They make great pets and are a bit more laid-back than other terrier breeds. This Irish dog breed was mostly owned by poorer Irish farmers and this dog used to help them in keeping their farms and stables vermin free.
They were quite versatile so they helped in guarding, hunting, and other farm work as well. Canine historians believe that the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier shares the same ancestors as Kerry Blue and the Irish Terriers but have since parted ways and developed into the breeds that we know and love today.
Their name describes their appearance well, as their coat is incredibly soft and wheat-colored. There is a downside to that as their coat needs a lot of attention to remain healthy, soft, and good-looking. You will have to brush them at least once a week and give them a bath once every month if they are living as indoor pets.
The great thing is that they adapt well to all different sorts of living situations whether it is a farm, house, or an apartment in question.
Height:
17 to 19 in (43-48 cm)
Weight:
30-40 lb (14–18 kg)
Origin:
Ireland
Life Expectancy:
12-14 years
Dog Breed Characteristics
Grooming
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier has silky coat that differentiates them from the rest of the terrier dogs. They don’t have double coats, and because of that, they shed minimally, so brushing is only required from time to time.
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier coat colors:
- Any shade of wheaten
The rest is basic care; trim their nails when needed (if they don't wear them down naturally), brush their teeth weekly to prevent tartar buildup and bacteria development. Regularly check their ears for any sign of redness or a bad odor that can indicate an infection.
You can wipe their ears with a cotton ball dipped into an ear cleaner. The key for your dog to get used to everything mentioned above is to start early with them. Make a positive experience for the dog, full of praises and rewards, and you can be sure that your dog will enjoy all these things when they grow up.
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier - energy level
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier makes a great family pet that is friendly towards everyone and that loves children. They are fairly energetic, so your children will have a tireless playing partner that will never run out of energy and will to play.
They will love any physical activity you and/or your family decide to do, like biking, jogging, swimming, or just plain old walking. They are great competitors in dog sports such as obedience, agility, flyball, tracking, and herding. They are often selected and work as therapy dogs because of their calm and loving nature.
Socialization
This breed usually is a great fit for new dog owners that might not be as experienced or knowledgeable. They should be trained, and the training process should start when they arrive at your house.
They can be stubborn like other terrier breeds but usually show great results if you remain firm, fair, and never harsh. To ensure your puppy develops into a well-behaved dog, start socializing them as soon as possible.
Through socialization, your dog will learn to react properly to any new situation they may find themselves in.
Health problems
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers are dogs with a life expectancy of 12-14 years. Like any other dog breed, they are prone to some health problems that every (future) owner should be aware of. To ensure you'll get the healthiest possible dog, never buy a dog from a puppy mill breeder or a pet store.
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers can suffer from
- Renal dysplasia
- Addison's disease
To be sure that your dog will be healthy, always buy him from a responsible dog breeder who regularly tests their breeding dogs to secure that their puppies will be healthy as well.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier breeders
If you decide to get one of these dogs, make sure that you buy one from a registered Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier breeder. A good breeder has to put in a lot of time and knowledge into breeding dogs, and they should take care of the character, as well as the look of their future dogs.
Ask the breeder as many questions about this breed as possible and ask them to advise you about getting a dog like this. They have spent a big part of their life with these dogs and should know everything there is to know about the breed they are breeding.
Buying a dog from a responsible breeder will cost you more money, but you can be sure you will get a healthy puppy. If you are unable to buy a dog, we advise you to search for local animal shelters because there is a chance you can find a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier dog in it.
If you are unsure whether this is the breed for you, check out this FREE GUIDE that will help you decide which dog breed is right for you.
SEARCH SOFT-COATED WHEATEN TERRIER BREEDERS
World Dog Finder team
Updated at31.08.2023.
Breed History
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier's history is fairly unknown because much of their history wasn’t recorded. Probably they share an ancestor with the Irish Terrier and Kerry Blue Terrier. These dogs were officially recognized as a breed by the Irish Kennel Club in 1937.
First Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers were imported into the US in 1946, and the American Kennel Club officially recognized this dog bred in 1973.
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