Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Size
Medium (11kg - 27kg)
Exercise
40 min/day
Training
Weekly
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Frequent
Barking preference
Moderate
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Dr Nick Smith (Ardgaeithe)

ardgaeithewheatens@yahoo.com.au
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History

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier was a very common dog in Ireland for over 200 years. Its humble beginnings probably came from a very mixed ancestry that then combined with the more recent Irish Terriers, but are unlike the Kerry Blue and Irish Terriers, which were deliberately bred from an early date. Wheatens were seen as the poor people’s dog, owned by the peasants and crofters (farmers that worked plots leased by wealthy land owners). They were not permitted to keep a dog over the value of five pounds and these dogs were bred to earn their keep, by hunting badgers, otters and vermin, do some poaching, herd, be a family pet and companion, to stand guard and sound the alarm (although they would probably lick the intruders to death upon arrival).

By the 1930s, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier enthusiasts in Ireland, namely Dr G Pierce and Mr P Blake, were more selective and developed the breed’s distinctive traits. The breed was then officially recognised by the Irish Kennel Club in 1937 and started to win many hearts. Over the next 35 years the breed spread to England, Europe, America, and arrived in Australia in the 1970s.

Appearance

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a sound, medium sized breed with no exaggerations and has a coat colour that resembles a field of ripened wheat. The Wheaten’s black rimmed, dark hazel eyes are coverd with a profuse ‘fall’ and long silky furnishings cover their entire face. As there are a number of variations of coat type around the world, puppies can vary, from having harsh deep red coats (traditional), through to the more profuse and fluffy baby coats, more commonly seen on the English and American dogs; all of which can mature to the correct soft, silky, flowing adult coat. The correct adult coat should be established by around three years of age. Many puppies have quite a heavy black mask and quite a deal of black through the coat.

These pups will normally become a good wheaten colour. As adults, silver grey or ginger shading is acceptable on ears and muzzle only, with no more than a light showing of darker guard hairs through their clear wheaten coat. Both extremes of colour (pure white or deep red) are unacceptable in the adult. By the time a Wheaten reached adulthood, it should have a silky soft, flowing coat, that is never wiry or woolly, that hangs in loose curls or waves and shines like spun gold in the sun.

Temperament

The Wheaten is a loyal dog that is full of confidence. It is also very intelligent and inquisitive, but has the steadiness of a working dog, especially if it is socialised and trained early. This breed does not lose the fun loving ways of their puppyhood as they get older.They are known to retain medium to high energy levels throughout their life and often give the ‘Wheaten whirl and hug,’ which is spinning around at break-neck speed and then jumping up to give a big hug to family and friends to show their affection and joy.

Minbeemedia Photography. Submitted by Margaret Gray

Health

This breed is basically a very healthy dog that, given proper care and nourishment, will live a long and active life, with an average lifespan of 14 years. All breeds, however, are susceptible to inherited disease and the Wheaten is no exception. Veterinary research has identified two possibly genetically transmitted conditions, which seem to have a higher than normal incidence in Wheatens; protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) and protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). Addison’s Disease also occurs and renal dysplasia (RD) has also been a serious problem with Wheatens.

Maintenance

Considered to be a medium to high maintenance breed, the Soft Coated Wheaten’s coat requires frequent grooming to remain clean, shiny and free of dead hair and matts. Dirt and mud will simply brush out once dry. The coat does not shed, therefore requiring removal of dead hair by brush and comb, but with regular trims, the texture allows this to be accomplished in a relatively short session. The Wheaten is ideal for those who plan to keep them indoors and those owners prone to respiratory problems.

Suitability

Because of their natural exuberance, it is important that Wheatens are fairly disciplined from an early age. They are very sensitive to differing tones of voice and most try their hardest to please. Wheatens easily adapt to country or city living, all family members and most household pets, when raised together, depending of course on individual personalities.

It is recommended that parents with small children should wait until they are older before purchasing a Wheaten. This is because their exuberance and tendency to get easily excited may overwhelm and upset smaller children. To avoid tears, being jumped on, or knocked over, all children should be supervised if they are playing with a Wheaten.

Those who do not have the time to give regular exercise, to expend some of the Wheaten’s high energy levels, should think twice before purchasing the breed.

Words: Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of NSW Inc

Image: Shutterstock.com

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, you may think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and its needs, and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 04 May 2010)

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Breed Standard - Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Medium-sized, compact, upstanding terrier well covered with a soft, wheaten coloured, natural coat that falls in loose curls or waves. An active, short-coupled dog, strong and well built; well balanced in structure and movement, not exaggerated in any way. Standing four square with head and tail up, giving the appearance of a happy dog, full of character.

Characteristics

A natural terrier with strong sporting instincts, hardy and of strong constitution.

Temperament

Good-tempered, spirited and game. Full of confidence and humour; a delightful, affectionate, intelligent companion.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Flat, moderately long and profusely covered with coat which falls forward over the eyes. Skull of medium width but not coarse. Stop well defined, cheek bones not prominent. Distance from eye to nose not longer, and preferably shorter, than the distance from the eyes to occiput. Jaws strong and punishing, muzzle square with no suggestion of snipiness. Topline of muzzle absolutely straight and parallel with skull. Nose black and large for size of dog. Head in general powerful, without being coarse.
Eyes	Clear, bright dark hazel. Medium size set under strong brow. Eye rims black.
Ears	V-shaped and folded at level of skull. Forward edge drops down slightly forward to lie closely along cheek, back edge standing slightly away from side of head. Leathers, thin, small to medium in size, covered with coat and fringe.
Mouth	Lips tight and black. Teeth large. Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck	Moderately long, strong, muscular and slightly arched. Without throatiness. Gradually widening toward, and running cleanly into shoulders.
Forequarters	Shoulders long, well laid back, and sloping inwards from points to withers. Not loose, fine, but muscular. Viewed from any angle, the forelegs perfectly straight. Good bone and muscle. Pasterns strong and springy. Chest moderately wide. Dew claws on the front legs may be removed.
Body	Compact, with powerful short loins. Back strong and level. Ribs well sprung without roundness, providing deep chest with relatively short coupling. Length of back from point of withers to base of tail should measure about the same as, or slightly less than, from point of withers to ground.
Hindquarters	Thighs strong and muscular. Hindlegs well developed with powerful muscle and well bent stifles. Hocks well let down and turning neither in nor out. Dew claws on the hind legs should be removed.
Feet	Strong, and compact, turned neither in nor out. Good depth of pad. Toenails black.
Tail	Docked: Set on high, carried gaily, but never over back. Not curled and not too thick.Undocked: Set on high, carried gaily, but never over back, not curled and not too thick. Tip may curve forward in a gentle arc. Length in overall balance with the rest of the dog.
Gait/Movement	Free, graceful and lively. Well co-ordinated with long, low strides. Reach in front and good drive behind; straight action fore and aft. Head and tail carried high, the backline remaining level.
Coat	Soft and silky. Neither woolly nor wiry. Loosely waved or curly, but if curly, curls large, light and loose. The coat should not stand off but flow and fall naturally. Coat abundant all over body and especially profuse on head and legs. Length of leg coat sufficient to give good balance to the length of coat on head and body. There is no seasonal change in the length or texture of the mature coat. Over trimming or stylising should be penalised. For show purposes the coat may be tidied to present a neat outline. Coat colour and texture do not stabilise until about 24 months and should be given some latitude in young dogs.
Colour	A good clear wheaten. A shade of ripening wheat. A white coat and a red coat equally objectionable. Dark shading on ears not untypical. Often a slight fluctuation in the intensity of colour in mature coat, but overall effect should be light wheaten. Dark overall colour and the even darker markings often present in the immature coat, should clear by about 18-24 months.
Size	Height: Dogs approx. 46-49 cms (18-19.5 ins) at the withersBitches slightly lessWeight: Dogs approx. 16-20.5 kg (35-45 lbs).Bitches somewhat less.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.