Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Origin, Personality,
Training
Group: AKC and KCGB Terrier
Also Known As: Irish Soft Coated
Wheaten Terrier; Wheaten Terrier; Wheaten
AKC Ranking: 62
About
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Origin and History
of the Breed
The Soft Coated Wheaten
Terrier originated in Ireland as a farm dog,
herder, and hunter of small game and vermin.
It has become very popular as a family dog.
A General Appearance
of the Dog
A medium-sized, compact
dog that moves gracefully, the Soft Coated
Wheaten Terrier is very well-balanced breed.
The head is a rectangle as is the body. His
body is short compared to his leg length.
He has a mustache and beard. His ears are
small to medium and break level with the skull
with the drop going slightly forward. His
black nose is rather large.
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Coat Color
The coat of the Soft Coated Wheaten
Terrier is, of course, any shade of wheaten. Occasional
red, white, or black guard hairs may be found. The
overall coloring should be clearly wheaten. Puppies
are born black and lighten over the next two years
to their final wheaten color.
Coat Type
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
has a soft, silky, gently waving coat. Unlike other
terriers, the Soft Coated Wheaten has only a single
coat covering his entire body.
Height
Male: 18 - 19 inches
Female: 17 – 18 inches
Weight
Male: 35 – 40 lbs
Female: 30 – 35 lbs
Personality
Temperament of the Dog
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
is sweet-tempered, easy-going and self-confident.
This breed needs to be taught when it's young what
is expected of it. Since it is a very intelligent
breed, it will generally grasp quickly what is required
of them. They need straightforward handling as they
have a straightforward nature.
Affectionate and loving, they
become extremely bonded with their family, making
them an excellent choice for homes with children.
They seldom bark unnecessarily.
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
is an alert and happy dog who is graceful, strong
and well-coordinated. Wheatens are playful and friendly.
They are great watchdogs and announce guests readily
but make friends of them quickly and go on. They
can be amiable with other canines but often non-accepting
of cats whose quick movements will undoubtedly cause
them to pursue.
They are usually very loving with
children and get along reasonably well with other
dogs (provided they are socialized when they are
young). The Soft Coated Wheaten should be well socialized
with other dogs while they are young puppies.
Many Wheaten Terriers take a long
time to fully housetrain. Wheatens remain puppy-like
for much of their lives.
Better suited to an indoor
or outdoor lifestyle?
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers want
to be with their families, so are not too happy
with being put outside alone.
They can live in an apartment
but need daily long walks and several romps in a
safe place through the week. A fenced yard is very
helpful.
Are they suited to homes
with kids?
They usually love children.
Activity
Level
How Active is the Breed?
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
is quite active and will play both indoors and outdoors.
They do not tolerate heat very well.
How Much Exercise Does
the Dog Need at every stage of its Life?
This breed’s exercise needs
remain fairly constant throughout their lives.
Grooming
Their beautiful soft coat can
be kept short in a puppy cut or left long and natural.
The longer, natural coat will require daily brushing
and combing by the owner with bi-monthly professional
grooming and bath and blow dry.
The shorter cut will take less
time for the owner but more frequent visits (every
6 weeks) professionally to keep shaped up and mat
free.
Whichever you choose, it will
be an investment in time or money and should be
addressed if considering this high maintenance breed.
They shed very little so they
make a good dog for allergy sufferers.
Health
and Care
Genetic Problems
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
is prone to allergies, especially to fleas. They
also are prone to protein wasting disease.
Life Span: About
12 – 15 years
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National Breed Clubs
British – Soft Coated Wheaten
Terrier Club of Great Britain – www.wheaten.org.uk
US – Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America
- www.scwtca.org
Other Recognition: IKC,
CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, NKC, NZKC, CET, CCR,
APRI, ACR
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