Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are beautiful and friendly terriers that once played the role of farm dogs in Ireland. Their name came from the golden wheat on the farmlands. But Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are more than a silky coat and a handsome goatee! Read on to learn more about this breed.
Characteristics of Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are sturdy dogs. They have a muscular body underneath their soft coat.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier size. Male Wheaten Terriers are typically 18 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder. They weigh between 35 and 40 pounds.
Female Wheaten Terriers are 17 to 18 inches tall and weigh 30 to 35 pounds.
Shape. Many people describe Wheaten Terriers as square. Their skull shape, facial hair, and folded ears give their heads hard edges and angles.
A Wheaten Terrier's body also has a straight back, deep chest, and straight legs. Their silhouette makes them look like a dog made of building blocks!
Fur length and quality. Wheaten Terriers have a wavy coat of silky soft fur. Their coat is typically a medium length but can be kept shorter or longer as needed.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier lifespan. You can expect a Wheaten Terrier to live around 12 to 14 years.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier temperament. Wheaten Terriers are affectionate with their loved ones. They're great with children, friendly toward other dogs, and accepting of strangers.
One reason they're so affectionate is that they're protective. As former farm dogs, Wheaten Terriers have an innate need to stay on watch for those around them.
Wheaten Terriers have a lot of energy. Like other working breeds, they need a job to direct their energy.
This working breed enjoys playing. But Wheaten Terriers will also enjoy cuddling time on the couch as long as they get enough stimulation during playtime.
Caring for Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers
Coat care. The beautiful coat of a Wheaten Terrier doesn't happen naturally. You need to maintain their coat almost daily so that it stays soft and silky.
Wheaten Terriers have a single coat of fur. They don't shed much, but they still need regular care.
Brush through the Wheaten Terrier's coat using a pin brush or slicker brush. This will brush out any dirt or dead hair.
Follow the first brushing with a metal comb. This comb should be medium- or fine-toothed to separate the hair and prevent matting.
The Wheaten Terrier's coat is prone to matting. You can remove matted fur using a brush, a comb, and your fingers.
Don't cut the matting out yourself with scissors. If you can't remove the matted fur yourself, take your terrier to a trusted groomer.
Diet and nutrition. Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers need a high-quality diet to stay healthy. Many commercially available foods are sufficient. You can also work with your vet to create a homemade diet.
Your dog's age, size, and health determine the exact details of their diet. Too much food can cause your dog to become overweight.
Wheaten Terriers can be hard to train. If you use treats to help train them, treats shouldn’t make up more than 10% of their daily caloric intake. Treats are like junk food and can cause weight gain.
Exercise and activity needs. Wheaten Terriers have a moderate amount of energy. They need daily outdoor exercise.
Wheaten Terriers love to chase things. You can incorporate their prey drive into their play with fetch or chasing games.
Since they love to chase things, Wheaten Terriers need a fenced play area. They may run after cars or other animals if untethered.
Flea, tick, and heartworm care. Like any other dogs, Wheaten Terriers need year-round prevention against parasites. You and your vet can determine the best medications to protect your dog from fleas, ticks, worms, and other parasites.
Tooth and nail care. Wheaten Terriers need regular nail care. You can trim their nails yourself or take them to your groomer or vet.
Long nails can cause discomfort or pain, which can lead to more problems while walking.
Wheaten Terriers aren't prone to dental problems, but you still need to take care of their teeth. You can maintain their dental health with daily teeth brushing, dental chews, and professional cleanings.
Vet visits. Even though Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are healthy dogs, they still need regular vet visits.
Wheaten Terriers need to go to the vet often to monitor their development and give them a variety of vaccines for diseases like distemper, parvo, rabies, and hepatitis. Your vet will determine how frequently they need to visit.
Adult terriers need annual checkups. Your vet will monitor their weight, update their records, perform a comprehensive exam from nose to tail, and keep their vaccines up to date.
Senior Wheaten Terriers need a checkup every 6 months or as directed by your vet. Your vet will want to monitor signs of age like mobility, the senses, and bladder control. They may also do diagnostics like blood tests to catch health problems early.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Health Issues
Wheaten Terriers are generally healthy dogs. There are a few conditions that can be common in Wheaten Terriers.
Kidney disease. Kidneys work to remove toxins from your dog's blood. Renal dysplasia is particularly common in young Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers.
If your Wheaten Terrier has renal deficiencies, you may notice the following symptoms:
- Lethargy
- Drinking too much
- Excessive urination
- Lack of appetite
The symptoms of kidney disease can result from some other health problems. Catching these symptoms early and taking your dog to the vet can help catch kidney disease before it becomes too severe.
Treating kidney disease is hard when your dog loses their appetite. Specialty diets and medications hidden in treats can help treat kidney disease.
Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). PLE isn't a single disease. It's a type of disease that causes your dog to lose proteins from their bloodstream in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Some of these diseases include:
- Primary GI disease
- Heart disease
- Lymphatic system diseases
The different diseases will have unique symptoms, but many of them can cause diarrhea, fluid buildup in the abdomen, inconsistent weight, and lethargy.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers may be genetically prone to PLE. Prevention and treatment depend on the type of PLE your dog has. A typical treatment is an adjusted diet appropriate for the disease.
Addison's disease (hypoadrenocorticism). A Wheaten Terrier with Addison's disease has adrenal glands that don't produce aldosterone or cortisol. These hormones regulate internal organs and systems.
The causes of Addison's disease aren't well understood. Autoimmune conditions are a common suspect. Damage to the adrenal gland can also lead to Addison's disease.
Addison's disease causes a variety of symptoms that often mimic other diseases. Unfortunately, Addison's disease is typically diagnosed during a life-or-death situation like your dog going into shock.
An Addison's disease attack is treated with hospitalization and therapy. Once the initial crisis is resolved, your Wheaten Terrier will receive lifelong hormone replacement medications.
You can't prevent Addison's disease unless it's caused by medication. For example, overdosing on medications like mitotane or trilostane can cause Addison's disease. Talk to your vet about medications that may cause Addison's disease.
Special Considerations for Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers
Shedding and allergies. Wheaten Terriers don't shed much. Grooming them well will help remove as much dead hair and dander as possible.
No dog is 100% hypoallergenic — but keeping a Wheaten Terrier well-groomed makes them great pets for people with dog allergies.
Barking. Wheaten Terriers are alert and energetic, which makes them vocal when they need to be.
History of Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are a young breed. Irish farmers first bred them around 200 years ago to herd, watch, and protect livestock. They even hunted vermin that plagued their farms.
Ireland didn't recognize Wheaten Terriers as an official breed until 1937. The United Kingdom recognized them in 1943 and the United States in 1973.
The popularity of Wheaten Terriers continues to grow. They're currently the 53rd most popular dog breed according to the American Kennel Club.
