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Written by Petco Editorial Team

About Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Originally hailing from Ireland, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier personifies some of the best qualities of the terriers. These playful, intelligent dogs have the energy to keep up with a large family and are always excited to try new things. They are often calmer and easier to manage than other terrier breeds, allowing them to adapt to many different kinds of living situations.

 

Origin: Ireland,   Other Names: Wheaten

Terrier Group

These are feisty, energetic dogs whose sizes range from fairly small, as in the Norfolk, Cairn or West Highland White Terrier, to the grand Airedale Terrier.

People familiar with this Group invariably comment on the distinctive terrier personality. Terriers typically have little tolerance for other animals, including other dogs. Their ancestors were bred to hunt and kill vermin. Many continue to project the attitude that they're always eager for a spirited argument. Most terriers have wiry coats that require special grooming known as stripping in order to maintain a characteristic appearance. In general, they make engaging pets, but require owners with the determination to match their dogs' lively characters.

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General appearance

Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers should have an alert, graceful appearance with a long head and muzzle. Their short tail should stand up above their body, and they should have a powerful chest and a level back.

 

The AKC recognizes wheaten as the one standard color for the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, but many shades are considered acceptable. Some white, black or red hairs might be found with a close inspection, but the overall coloring must remain consistent. The coat should be wavy, soft, and silky.

Size & Weight

Male Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are typically 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh 30 to 45 pounds. Females are usually 17 to 18 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh 30 to 40 pounds.

Full Grown
Female 17 in. / 30 lbs.
Male 20 in. / 45 lbs.

Height is measured up to the shoulders.

Female Size Chart
Height Figure
Male Size Chart
6 ft. 4 ft. 2 ft.

Cost of Owning

On average, owning a middle-aged Wheaten costs around $1000 per year
$250
Vet Care
$300
Grooming & Boarding
$200
Others
$250
Food & Treats

Characteristics

Size

Male Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are typically 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulders, females are usually 17 to 18 inches tall at the shoulders.

Tiny
Jumbo

Weight

Male Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers typically weigh 30 to 45 pounds, while females tip the scales between 30 and 40 pounds.

Light
Heavy

Living space

Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are fairly adaptable dogs that can be comfortable living in smaller spaces. They do best when they are allowed to live indoors, close to their family.

City apartment
Ranch

Exercise

Wheatens love to jump, play, and run with their owner, and they can get plenty of exercise chasing small animal intruders out of a fenced yard. If their primary source of exercise is walks, they usually require around a half hour per day.

Couch potato
Bring it on!

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.

Antisocial
Outgoing

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.

None
Bodyguard

Behavior with kids

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

Always monitor
Babysitter

Training

The intelligent and friendly Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is often able and willing to quickly learn new things. However, some Wheatens can be stubborn and will require a gentle yet firm training regimen to reach their potential.

Headstrong
Obedient

Shedding

Although Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers have a long, luxurious coat, a lack of undercoat means that they do not shed as much as you might expect.

Minimal
Abundant

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.

Warm
Cold

Barking

Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers will bark if alarmed or excited, but they are not known to be a particularly noisy breed. As with all dogs, proper socialization when they are young allows them to properly estimate threats and prevents excessive barking.

Mute
Loud

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.

Barking: Understanding your dog

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.

 

Like many terrier types, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers can have a propensity to chase after small animals. This can be useful for keeping some types of pests out of your yard, but it can also cause problems if your dog is not properly supervised. With an appropriate amount of play and exercise, your Wheaten should be content to let most creatures off with a warning. Although they can be a good breed for less experienced owners, Wheatens need plenty of positive attention and intellectual stimulation to be truly happy.

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.

Habits and 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.

Energy Level

Enjoys some moderate exercise every now and then

Energy Level

Nutrition

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

Daily Consumption

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.

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.

Life Span

On average, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers live to be about 12 to 14 ye

Life Span

Did you know?

  • A dog resembling a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier can be seen in the painting “The Aran Fisherman’s Child” done by Fredric William Burton in 1841.
  • Irish and American Wheatens have slightly different coat types.
  • Though the breed is not known for its swimming ability, a Wheaten named Krista successfully competed in the national dog diving championship.

Coat and 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.

Coat length

Long

Coat length

Grooming

Frequent

Grooming

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.

History

Variations of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier have existed in Ireland for hundreds of years, but little was written about the early days of the breed. Wheatens share ancestors with the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Irish Terrier, and are descended from the dogs kept by working folk for catching vermin, watching property, and companionship. This early form of the breed was sometimes referred to as the “poor man’s Wolfhound,” reflecting its humble origins.

 

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier was not formally recognized as a breed until St. Patrick's Day in 1937, when the Irish Kennel Club acknowledged it. In these early stages, the breed was required to compete in field trials with rats, rabbits, and badgers as prey. Lydia Vogel imported some of the first Wheatens in America in the 1940’s.

 

After Wheatens first appeared on American soil, interest in the breed took several decades to grow. The first Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America was founded in 1962 in Brooklyn on St. Patrick's Day. The American Kennel Club officially recognized the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier in 1973.

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