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Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Thinking about purchasing an Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier? Then read our breed profile including a brief description, information on height, weight, color, coat, temperament, grooming, activity and history. Purchasing a new puppy is a commitment that may last ten or more years so please educate yourself on the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier breed, including all stages of their life from puppy hood to older dog.

Ask yourself will I be a good owner? Do I have the time it takes to train a new puppy? Do I have the resources to give my new dog a rewarding life. Do I have a local veterinarian that I can take my new dog to? Do I have a groomer or can I do the grooming myself on a regular basis. Fundamental requirements for a being a good Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier owner;

properly feed your new dog,
house them comfortably
train them in basic obedience.

Before making a purchase talk to the breeder, ask them many questions about their dogs and the breed in general. A good breeder will teach you about the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and they will have many questions for you about your home and life style and if this breed is suited for you and your family.

Questions you may want to ask an Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Breeder:

When were your Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers born? When will they be allowed to leave?
Have your puppies received their first shots? being wormed? had a puppy check up with your veterinarian?
What type of socialization have the puppies received? with children? with other pets? in the home?
Have you seen genetic problems in previous litters? What are your health guarantees?
Are there any health certifications on the sire or dam?
What is the temperament of the puppies, of the mother? shy? boisterous? aggressive? skittish?
If you become unable to care for your new Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, will the breeder help you find a new home?

It is recommended that you sign a contract with the breeder so that there will be no misunderstandings on the arrangements made. Then bring home your new Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and enjoy as "there is no greater love then a dog's devotion."

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Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Profile

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium-sized, hardy, well balanced sporting terrier, square in outline. They are distinguished by their soft, silky, gently waving coat of warm wheaten color and their steady disposition. Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers, when trimmed for show, have blocky appendages and a long face. They have smaller drop ears and a soft covering of medium length fur all over the body. The fur on the face is profuse and often covers the eyes. Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are a jolly breed who will retain their carefree puppy-ness right into adulthood. Puppies are born dark apricot but lighten to a clear golden wheaten color by two years of age. They do not reach full maturity until at least two years of age. Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers were once a dog of commoners, simply often ignored as a breed. But the breed of today has become somewhat popular in countries around the world, and makes quite the friend. They are playful but stubborn, being the self-confident terrier that it is. Although, they are less aggressive than your average terrier. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a one-of-a-kind family dog that can also serve as an all-purpose farm dog.

Type: Terrier

Height: 17 - 19.5 inches.
Weight: 30 - 45 lbs.

Colors: A good, clear wheaten, the shade of ripening wheat; white and red equally objectionable; dark shading on ears not atypical. Any shade from light wheaten to golden red.
Coat: Soft, silky, wavy and profuse. It is especially profuse on the head and forms a beard and covers the eyes. The rest of the body is covered in shorter fur.

Temperament: Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are lively, loyal, energetic and fun. They have puppy characteristics well into their adult years. Playful and exuberant, the Wheaten Terrier matures slowly, only becoming fully mature at 2 years of age. Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are like the common terrier, inquisitive, peppy, somewhat protective, stubborn and still playful. They are self confident, but less aggressive than the average terrier. They love to be with family and absolutely loathe being alone.
With Children: Yes, gets along well with considerate ones.
With Pets: Yes, they usually accept other household pets, but they should be socialized at a young age to get along with cats.
Special Skills: Hunting dog and family pet.

Watch-dog: High.
Guard-dog: Medium - Low.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Care and Exercise: Constant care is needed to maintain the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier's flowing coat. Daily combing with a medium-tooth comb is recommended to keep them tangle free. Trim fringes from ears, feet and under the tail. Give them regular brushing of the teeth, nail clipping and ear and eye cleaning. Bathe or dry shampoo them only when necessary. Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers need moderate but regular exercise to prevent boredom. A daily walk should suffice.
Training: Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers need to be trained from an early age. Highly intelligent, they will learn quickly, although stubborn. They have a straightforward nature and should be handled in a straightforward manner.
Learning Rate: High. Obedience - Medium. Problem Solving - High. This breed is intelligent but can be stubborn.

Activity: High. They have a typical terrier mentality.
Special Needs: Exercise, firm but positive training, grooming, and socialization.
Living Environment: Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers Adapt well to urban living. An apartment is fine if they are exercised daily. Owners of a Soft-Coated Wheaten should be calm and patient with no overbearing tendencies.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Health Issues: PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), colitis, Addison's disease, cancer, hip dysplasia, kidney diseases and allergic skin problems.

Life Span: 12 - 14 years.
Litter Size: 5 - 6 puppies.

Country of Origin: Ireland
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier History: There are no exact origins of the Wheaten Terrier but soft coated terriers have existed in Ireland for many centuries. A dog of the poor, in the 1700s laws were established preventing certain people from owning a dog that was worth more than 5 lbs. Thus, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers were prevalent among the poor, soon becoming unnoticeable to fanciers. It is believed the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier may have been crossed with a blue dog that swam to shore from a shipwreck in the Tralee Bay around 190 years ago. This blue terrier was said to have bred with the soft coated terriers native to the island, and from this came the Kerry Blue Terrier. This breed is also said to have been a progenitor of the Irish Terrier. They were originally used to guard the farm and its animals and sometimes to hunt game or be a water retriever. Used as an all-purpose farm dog, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is also thought to be related to the Glen of Imaal Terrier. They were used as companions, herding dogs, to hunt rats and rabbits, and generally as a dog-of-all-trades. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier came to the United States around the 1940s, but was recognized by the Irish Kennel Club in 1937. In 1971 the British Kennel Club accepted this wavy-haired breed, and finally was recognized by the AKC in 1973.

First Registered by the AKC: 1973
AKC Group: Terrier
Class: Terrier
Registries: AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI (Group 3), KC (GB), UKC

Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

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Wednesday, December 17, 2008