Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Information

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(Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Wheaton Terrier, Wheaten) With its long head and short muzzle tipped with a sizable black nose which sticks out slightly, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a unique looking breed.  Beneath its piles of shaggy hair sit two barely visible, large brown or black eyes.  At the top of their heads, two ears fold over into a “V” shape.  From their ears to their fluffy, upright tail, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is covered in a thick, curly coat which comes in a wide variety of colors.  The mounds of hair create the illusion of a broad chest and body, but the breed is supported by long, straight legs which end in large, round feet.

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Character

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a friendly dog which loves its family. They are always sweet and loving and develop very close bonds with their family. The breed does great with children and does well with dogs if properly socialized. However, they should not be around cats or other small animals because of their strong hunting instincts. They are very friendly and gentle with strangers. Unlike many intelligent breeds, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier will listen well to its owners. They very rarely bark unless it is to warn of danger.

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Size

17-20 inches
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Weight

30-45 pounds
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General Health

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a fairly hardy breed, but it is prone to PLE (Protein-Losing Enteropathy) and PLN (Protein-Losing Nephropathy). Additionally, the breed can develop flea allergies.  The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier has an average life span of about 12 to 15 years.


Wheaten Terriers can have allergies to food and outdoors.

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History

First developed in Ireland, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier served a number of valuable functions for its early owners.  They were frequently given responsibility for herding, for hunting, and for guarding farms.  Despite their popularity among Irish farmers, the breed was a well-kept secret until 1933 when it made its public debut.  Just 13 years later, the breed first traveled across the Atlantic to the United States.  Forty years after the dog was first recognized by the masses, the AKC officially recognized the breed.

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Maintenance

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is an easily groomed dog. They should never be brushed but should be combed once a day because their hair can become very tangled if not cared for. These dogs rarely need baths and do not shed much. They need little amounts of exercise and most of that can be gained from just playing around in the house or in a small yard.  The breed does need socialization especially with other dogs, so it is not aggressive towards them.


The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a breed that needs a lot of exercise and grooming. The hair gets matted and tangled badly in a short period of time. It's best to comb daily. They are hypo-allergenic and do not shed. They are great for owners with allergies.

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Ideal Environment

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a good dog for most families. They become very attached and close to their owners and love children.  If socialized, they even do well with other dogs.  However, they should not be in a home with small animals because of their strong prey drive. They do well in an apartment or house and do not need a yard since the breed is not overly active and their needs can be met by playing in the house. They are good for owners who do not want lots of tedious or expensive grooming responsibilities. Although the breed does well in many environments, they do best in areas which never become extremely hot because their thick coats make it easy for them to overheat.


This breed may not be good for owners who do not want lots of tedious or expensive grooming responsibilities. Wheaton coats, unless clipped regularly, require constant attention. Otherwise they develop big, tangled mats that won't comb out.

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Dog Training!

If you're having problems training your dog or getting control, you should read our review of DogProblems.com. Adam will do whatever it takes to help you whip your dog into shape. I've used them to help with my Great Dane as well as help friends train their dogs. It's the first place I go to help answer users Questions. Many training issues are too extensive to answer in this forum, which is why I refer a lot of the load to his site. Update: I've been using and recommending DogProblems for three years now. I, as well as my users, value the techniques we've learned. I get weekly emails from users who have become better owners from the information they received.

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Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Q&A

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HOw do you get your wheatonto come back when called?

Good question. I would be interested in seeing this answer. We have this same problem with our wheaten. She rarely comes to you when you call her. We have tried lead training and treat training and neither seem to work.

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I have a small yorkshire terrier. Would a Wheaten puppy of 8 weeks old be Ok living together in the same household. I would like for the puppy to get along with the very sweet and loving personality of the Yorkshire.Please Advise.

I have the same situation as you. I have a 3 Yr. old Yorkie and I got a Wheaten Terrier of 9 weeks, both females. They get along great and both are so much fun.

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I have a 3yr old wheaten. He has been around other dogs (adult golden) and now a 6month old golden. In the past few months however, he has become aggressive and almost dominant towards them. No matter the size or action, he gets angry and fights. Does this often occur? Any remedy for this?

My 4yo is sometimes aggressive and non-sociable to other dogs. Doesn't matter what size the other dogs are. Its hit or miss. Her friends she likes, she always likes and that goes for dogs she don't like, she never likes them. Snickers was thrown out of the local doggy spa because of this.

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I have always wanted a wheaton terrier-but with 2 young cats, is it reasonable to add a wheaton puppy to the family?

my cat was old and had never been around dogs and after a few months the wheaton puppy, (who is now 3) and the cat are fine together. once in a while the dog chases the cat but the cat realizes the dog wouldn't really hurt her. i think they will adjust fine, esp. with a puppy.

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My 3 yr old female wheaton just started acting differently about 6 weeks ago. She is afraid to go out at night when it is dark. She is sleeping much more than she used too. We moved to a new home, but that was over 4 months ago. I am afraid she is depressed and do not know what to do about it. She is happy when friends come over but spends SO much time in her crate when it is just the 2 of us. Any ideas?

Get another wheaten

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I have a three and a half year old. Some people say a Wheaten can be too much with a three year old in the house. Anyone have any experience?

too much??? Nah. Wheatons LOVE to play. They can be wild...but as long as you are attentive and show them who is boss, the wheaton will love and respect your child as much as you do :)

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My 6 year old son is allergic to many dogs so I was wondering if the Wheaten Terrior was hypoallergenic?

Everything I have read about wheatens say they are hypoalergenic. I had a wheaten mixed with cocker. He was very good with children. Loved to lay next to and "watch over" babies.

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I just read Wheatons don't do well in the heat. I live in Tucson, AZ, which can become very hot in the summer and reach temperatures of 110 degrees. I have a dog door, and the dog can come inside whenever it wants. Is it too dangerous to have a soft coated Wheaton in the desert region?

No not at all I live in salt lake city utah and every summer we give him a hair cut and he loves it. he is perfectly fine.

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My wheaten has very oily skin. She also has a stinky dog oder about her. Is there a type of food that is best for her.

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I am thinking about getting a wheaton terrier, but I have a cat. Do any of you have a cat also? How are they together?

We got our wheaton when she was three yrs. old. Our cat was four yrs. old. The dog will kind of bumb rush the cat a little more than he is used to, but she's not mean or aggressive to the cat. They will sleep together at times as well. We just tell her "easy" or "nice" and she usually settles down. Wheatons are very easy to please so training shouldln't be hard. I should add that my cat was used to dogs, and pretty tolerant when we first got our wheaton!

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