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As its name implies, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is prized for its
coat, which is soft, silky, with a gentle wave, and of warm wheaten
color. Underneath, however, is a formidable dog that leaves no doubt
as to his terrier origins. Square and medium-sized, he is happy,
steady, self-confident and alert to his surroundings. The Wheaten is
also versatile, competing in obedience, agility and earth dog
trials. Known for more than 200 years in Ireland, the "Wheaten"
shares common ancestry with the Kerry Blue and the
Irish Terrier,
but was not owned by the landed gentry. They were the poor man’s
dog, an all-purpose farm dog, given to patrolling the borders of
small farms, ridding them of vermin, herding sheep and hunting with
his master. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1973.
General Appearance
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, sometimes spelled Softcoated
Wheaten Terrier, is a medium-sized, compact and squarely
proportioned dog. It is strong and moves gracefully. The head is
shaped like a rectangle, rather long, with a short, strong muzzle,
jaws that are able to seize and grip prey well, and large teeth. It
has a defined stop. The ears are v-shaped and fold forward, level
with the skull. The teeth should form a scissors or level bite. The
almond-shaped eyes are hazel or dark brown. Light or yellow eye
color can occur but is a breed fault in the written standard. The
nose is large and black. The strong back forms a level topline. The
front legs are straight, with plenty of bone. The dewclaws should be
removed. The feet are round with black pads and dark nails. The tail
is cocked and carried upright. Puppies are born black, but lighten
to the final adult wheaten color by about two years of age. Coat
colors include wheaten or rust. There are two coat varieties, the
American and the Irish. The Irish coat tends to be thinner and
silkier.
Temperament
The Soft coated Wheaten Terrier is a cheerful, lively, and happy dog. He is sociable, confident, and often acts like a puppy even as he grows up. These dogs have a fair amount of energy, and enjoy vigorous play and exercise. When not on a leash, the Soft coated Wheaten Terrier needs a safe and secure area in which to play and exercise with high fences, as he may otherwise escape. With proper, early socialization the Soft coated Wheaten Terrier boasts a confident, friendly, and sociable personality. However, they can be something of a handful, and are best suited to those with some experience of dog ownership. Owners need to be confident, assertive, and consistent when it comes to training. Some can be obstinate, strong willed, and difficult to control with the wrong owner or inadequate training. These spirited dogs get along well with older, gentle children, and with proper socialization will get along okay with other pets, although some can be aggressive with same sex dogs. They will bark to raise an alarm, and this makes them effective watchdogs, but they are usually friendly and sociable with strangers despite their bark. The Soft coated Wheaten Terrier is a quick learner, responsive, and intelligent, so training should not prove too much of a challenge for those with experience.
Grooming
The single coat of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is relatively
easy to care for but does require regular daily grooming to prevent
tangles and knots. Since they only have one coat they shed very
little hair and do not have the heavy seasonal sheds that double
coated breeds go through in the spring and fall. The breed is
considered to be a good choice for people with asthma or dog
allergies because of their coat. Only bathe a Soft Coated Wheaten
Terrier when necessary and use only dog recommended products. Do not
over wash the breed or the hair will become damaged leading to
matting and tangling problems that will really affect the dog's coat
and can promote the skin allergies the breed is known to have.
Health Problems and Life Expectancy
The life expectancy of the Soft coated Wheaten Terrier is around
12-14 years, and there are a number of health problems to look out
for with this breed. Some of these include
vWD, PRA, HD, cataracts,
renal problems, allergies, and sensitivity to drugs and chemicals.
Activity Level
Like all terriers the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier loves to run and
play. They are naturals at games of chase and will quickly learn who
will play with them in the family. When indoors the breed will
self-exercise quite well although they can still benefit from one or
two longer walks throughout the day. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
is a great dog for hiking, traveling, jogging or just going for a
walk around the park. They prefer exercising in cooler weather and
do not like to exercise in the heat of the day. Without regular
exercise the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier can become somewhat jumpy
and hyperactive although this is relatively uncommon.
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