Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Breed Facts and Information

Coat & Grooming: Wheatens have a long, flowing coat that will require regular attention in order to stay clean and tidy. Their hair can pick up dirt, burrs, and any number of other objects that will be deposited on their owner's floor if cleaning is not done consistently. A grooming routine should be established early, because you will be doing plenty of coat care throughout your Wheaten's life. Daily grooming is required for a Wheaten to maintain a classic look with flowing, smooth hair. However, two to three brushing sessions per week should be sufficient for owners less concerned with appearances. A pair of thinning shears is an essential tool for trimming the hair that can hang over a Wheaten's eyes.

Shedding: Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers do not have an undercoat, so they do not shed as much as many other breeds. This makes them a good choice of dog for an allergy sufferer, but prospective owners would do well to spend plenty of time with Wheatens to ensure that they do not cause any symptoms. Though shedding is not a major issue, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers can frequently get food stuck in their “beards” and spread messes around a house, so owners will still need to be prepared to clean a bit more frequently than before.

Training: Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are intelligent and they develop a strong connection with their owner. They are attentive, and they greatly enjoy receiving praise and attention. However, Wheatens can also be willful and stubborn, and will sometimes display annoying behaviors that need to be nipped in the bud. As with all breeds, training should begin early with basic obedience and exposure to new situations. Wheatens need structure and consistent discipline, and should be encouraged with praise rather than scolding. As the bond between owner and dog grows stronger, a Wheaten often matures into a confident, friendly dog that does well in most social situations.

Barking: Wheatens can be somewhat excitable if they do not receive proper attention and exercise, but they are generally a bit more laid back than some other terrier types. They will bark when excited or when they are startled, but are not particularly noisy dogs.

Personality: Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are confident and friendly. They typically get along well with children and other dogs, but they can have difficulty resisting the urge to chase after small furry pets like cats.

Temperament & Behavior: Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are sociable, curious dogs that enjoy nothing better than spending time with their owner. They are famous for their exuberant greetings, welcoming their owners home with celebrations and excitement even if their master has only been gone for minutes. Like any dog, a Wheaten needs to be exposed to many different kinds of people and places in order to develop into a well-adjusted adult. If they are properly socialized, Wheatens are generally confident and cheerful, able to enjoy themselves at play with other dogs or with children. They generally maintain a youthful attitude and a propensity for fun and games well into adulthood, ensuring that life with a Wheaten at your side will never be boring.

Behavior with Kids: Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are playful and energetic with a tolerant disposition, making them an incredibly kid friendly dog.

Protection: It is often said that the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier makes a good watchdog but a poor guard dog. They will alert you to a stranger's presence but are usually too amiable to attack an intruder.

Life span: On average, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers live to be about 12 to 14 years old.

Inherited Health Issues: Several health conditions have been identified in the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, as with any breed of dog. Some of these conditions are inherited, whereas others occur at an increased frequency within the breed. They can include, but are not limited to, the following: Protein-losing enteropathy, Lymphangiectasia, Micropapilla, Microphthalmia, Cataracts, Retinal dysplasia, Peristent hyaloid artery and Renal dysplasia.

Preventive Care: Many of the health issues found in Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers occur through a genetic or inherited link. Fortunately, many screening tests are available for responsible breeders to perform on their breeding dogs in an attempt to decrease the incidence of many of these conditions in future generations of Wheatens.

Even when your Wheaten appears to be healthy at home, do not skip your regular visits to the veterinarian. Your veterinarian has been extensively trained to pick up on subtle changes so that many problems and issues can be diagnosed and treated before they become bigger (and oftentimes more expensive) problems. Additionally, routine preventative medications are crucial to avoiding both internal and external parasites, such as fleas, ticks, heartworms, and a host of intestinal parasites.

Work to keep your Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier at a healthy body weight by skipping the extra treats or people foods, and only offering measured portions of a balanced dog food. Regular exercise will help to keep them in a lean, healthy condition as well.

If overfed and under-exercised, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers can easily become overweight or obese. The best way to avoid this is by feeding your Wheaten measured, portion-controlled meals of a balanced dog food. Avoid offering too many treats or people foods since this can quickly cause weight gain.

Daily Consumption: Average daily consumption for an adult Wheaten is 1 - 1.5 cups.

Energy Level: Enjoys some moderate exercise every now and then

Exercise: Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers typically need around 30 minutes of exercise per day, and they should receive more attention when they are not being walked. Although Wheatens are not as spirited as some other types of terriers, they can still become too excitable if they are not exercised consistently and thoroughly each day.

Though the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier originates from rainy Ireland, don’t be surprised if your dog is not so eager to accompany you on a walk on a wet day. Wheatens are sometimes reluctant to get wet. Outside of this quirk, they enjoy all kinds of outdoor games and activities and are eager participants in dog sports like obedience, agility, and tracking.

Climate: The long coat of the Wheaten allows them to tolerate cold weather with ease. Rain is another story; most Wheaten Terriers have a surprising aversion to water. They must be given plenty of shade and opportunities to cool down if they are to live in warmer climates.