Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Very Affectionate Family Dog
And A Softy!

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (SCWT) is a high energy, handsome dog of medium size, sturdy yet graceful in appearance.

He shares his ancestry with two other terriers - the Kerry Blue and the Irish.

ON THIS PAGE

The Wheaten, has been bred for over two hundred years in Ireland where he was developed as a versatile, tough farm dog that could handle many duties around the farm.

Some of his valued skills included hunting otters and badgers, herding livestock, exterminating vermin, and guarding property. He also served as a fine companion at the end of the day.

The breed was recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club) in 1973 though it had been resident in the United States since the 40's.

One feature that distinguishes the SCWT, as the name suggests, is a soft and flowing coat that is abundant and worn quite long, especially so over the eyes and around the head.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Characteristics

Clio

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a delightful and undemanding dog of gentle temperament. He is both confident and intelligent and though a quick learner, he runs true to terrier form with a bit of an independent streak. Remember, his former jobs called upon him to be a decision maker!

However, he likes to please and pet parents can successfully train him if they apply positive reinforcement along with patience and consistency. Also, take advantage of his fun loving nature to make training sessions creative and game-like.

Training and socialization should be started while he is still a puppy for the best results.

This terrier is very much family oriented and likes to be included in everything. Owners describe them as affectionate, trustworthy and loyal.

Though not considered barkers, they are very capable as watchdogs and will warn of any disturbances.

Appearance and Care

Height: 18-19 inches
Weight: 32-45 lbs.
Color variations: Wheaten - sometimes seen with dark shadings on the ears.

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is one of the few single-coated terriers. The natural coat has a texture that is soft and silky to the touch.

Shedding is minimal, but grooming is on the high side. Daily Brushing and combing with a slicker bush and the best fine/coarse comb you can buy, is needed to maintain this profuse coat and keep it free of tangles and mats. If you need help with mats, take a look at this page for details on the best way to deal with them.

Pay special attention to the foot pads and armpits, where mats often hide out.

Trim areas of the coat as needed especially on the foot pads where long hair pick up lots of debris. Also trim around the head and clean up the beard where food can stick.

It's best if you can start grooming as a puppy so your Wheaten gets used to being handled and is more compliant and comfortable at grooming times.

Other details include: daily tooth brushing; trimming excess hair inside the ear along with cleaning if needed; and trimming nails when you hear them clicking across the floor. You can use a dremel to make the nail job easier if you wish.

Health Of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

While generally considered to be a breed of overall sound condition, there are some health issues that may affect the Wheaten terrier during his lifetime of up to 14 years. They include:

(PLN) Protein-losing nephropathy: A kidney condition causing proteins to leak into the urine instead of remaining in the bloodstream.

(PLE) Protein-losing enteropathy: A condition where proteins are lost from the bloodstream into the gastrointestinal tract, often due to various gastrointestinal conditions including colitis.

Renal Dysplasia: This is an inherited disease where the kidneys develop abnormally, leading to chronic kidney disease. It can be disclosed through DNA testing.

Addison's disease: An endocrine disorder resulting from an insufficient production of hormones by the adrenal cortex. It is recognized by signs of muscle weakness, lethargy, weight loss and gastro-intestinal upsets.

Degenerative myelopathy: An inherited disease of the spinal cord that causes progressive muscle wasting in the hindquarter. According to UC Davis Veterinary Medicine, genetic testing for the SOD1 (c.118G>A) mutation, can help breeders learn the genetic status of breeding stock.

The National Breed Club recommends that the Wheaten is screened for these conditions routinely and that potential buyers of puppies should discuss these issues and what testing has been done in this regard on their breeding stock.

Activity Level

Wheatens are active dogs with lots of stamina. Ideally they should be given plenty of regular exercise. Without sufficient exercise and mental stimulation, this intelligent and athletic dog will develop undesirable behavior.

Room to run freely outside in a fenced area is a very helpful in using up some of their energy. Make sure boundaries are secure because they have a strong prey drive i.e. chasers!.

Ideal Living Space

Not given to senseless barking, they make good neighbors as apartment dwellers, as long as owners can meet their exercise requirements.

Accommodations with a play area is the ideal for training and potty breaks.

The Wheaten with Children?

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a loving and very playful dog. He makes a very fine companion for children who have been taught how to interact and be considerate with pets.

The caution remains that an adult should always be close by and watchful when dogs and children are playing together.

Seniors or Less Active Families?

This is an affectionate home-loving dog and is good breed for seniors, empty-nesters or any dog lover.

The key is being able to provide sufficient exercise for the Wheaten or have someone else willing to take on this necessary daily task.

Find A Wheaten To Buy or Rescue

The most important step toward purchasing a Wheaten is finding a reputable breeder who is dedicated to the breed. To that end, the links below will get you started in the right direction.

When meeting with a breeder, bring a list of questions from your research that you want to discuss further, especially the health profile of the puppy's parents and tests that have been completed. The cost can for a puppy can vary between $800 - $2,000, depending on lineage, breeder's reputation and other factors.

If your interest is in finding a rescue, use the NWR link below, and also look into your local breed rescue.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America (SCWTCA) Provides an interactive map for locating breeders throughout the United States who are members of the Club.

National Wheaten Rescue (NWR) The Rescue and SCWTCA in joined forces with regional clubs, provide national support, information and resources to aid Wheatens who are in need of being rescued, rehabilitated or rehomed.

Wheaten Guide

Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Coat of Honey - Heart of Gold
Complete reference of reliable information on this breed. Topics include history, the breed standard, selection of a Wheaten, keeping your dog happy and thriving, grooming, showing, activities, breeding and much more. Detailed bibliography.

Do You Have A Wheaten Terrier?

Do you have a lovely fluffy Wheaten? If you do, we'd love to see his/her picture and hear all about your first-hand experience with this delightful terrier.

We've made it quick and easy for you to tell us and our visitors about your dog. Just go here to get started. It's fun!

We can't wait to have your dog join our community!

Top image: Flickr user Srinayan Puppala (TigerPuppala), CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Clio Attribute: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/Softcoated_Wheaten_Terrier_Clio.JPG User:ACBest, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Grooming Table Wheaten: Pets Adviser from Brooklyn, USA, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons