Irish Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier

Various shades of wheaten (pale yellow-beige); sometimes including hues of gold and red.

The hair is medium length. 

Single coat; soft and silky.

Dark hazel.

A well-built, stocky dog perfectly proportioned and not too leggy. The length of the Wheaten’s back from withers to croup is roughly equal to the height from the withers to the ground. The tail is carried high. The ears are small, set level with the skull and tend to flop forward slightly.

An affectionate and needy dog the Wheaten is. If socialised appropriately this breed makes a superb family dog but without proper guidance stubbornness and jealousies come to the fore. On the whole this is a people-oriented dog.

A playful dog, the Wheaten retains a puppy-like demeanour throughout its life. Take note, if the Wheaten is not invited to play games with humans it will find a way to either join in or sabotage the fun.

Not wholly a calm breed because of its seemingly limitless energy and friendliness. The Wheaten has a tendency to burn itself out by the end of the day but not before burning a hole in a carpet. If very excited it tends to forget things like housetraining.

The Wheaten is an intelligent dog but its love of play and mischief can subvert its braininess. Wheatens need to be taught in a consistent manner (and calmly) in order that an owner may extract the best from this playful dog.

The Wheaten has a prey-drive which can manifest especially when in contact with cats and smaller creatures (see later). Like other terriers, if untrained, it is likely to bolt at the scent or sight of a small furry animal. Socialisation and obedience training work well to dampen a Wheaten’s love of chasing.

Wheatens are known for their loyalty to the pack but this does not mean that they are overly wary of strangers or visitors. In fact, the dog is known for its enthusiastic greetings and tends to be overly excitable in the company of new people. This dog is known for its leaping.

A reasonably independent dog, the Wheaten was bred to work and to hunt by itself. Because of this it is a reliable and trainable dog but it has a tendency to do its own thing if not properly managed.

A Wheaten will cope with solitude but only up to a point. Like any dog, it should not be left alone for long periods of time. If a Wheaten is left alone it will become destructive.

The Wheaten is an exceptionally intelligent dog but requires proper training to fulfil its potential. By ‘proper’ we mean consistent and varied. This dog gets bored easily and is easily distracted by things that it considers more fun than its owner’s voice. Once trained the Wheaten is relatively obedient.

The Wheaten is not an overly vocal dog but it is quick to let you know of approaching danger either when it is in the house or out walking. Barking usually stops after a while.

Although not as stubborn and independent as other terriers the Wheaten is an inquisitive sort. If something catches this dog’s eye (or nose) while it is outdoors, the Wheaten will be tempted to explore. A well-trained Wheaten will respond to a recall command.

If it finds itself in an enclosed space or at home for long periods of time without exercise and fresh air the Wheaten will notify you of its displeasure by destroying your furnishings, doors, window sills and carpets. Terriers are chewers and will not let up until you do something to address the problem.

The Wheaten can easily get fat and unhealthy if given the wrong kind of food; it is well-known of owners to feed their Wheaten scraps of human food (they are avid beggars), but this only leads to medical problems associated with obesity in later life.

A good watch dog is the Wheaten. It will bark at the approach of someone to the door or window of the house. However, it is too friendly a dog to back up its barking with an act of aggression.

A great first dog and one that will entertain; the Wheaten is not an aggressive kind of terrier. However, such a dog requires consistent training and reinforcement of learnt behaviour.

As long as the Wheaten is regularly exercised and interacted with, and is not left alone for long periods of time, it will be satisfied with life in a flat. Ideally, it should have access to a garden or outside space as well.

The Wheaten is a reasonably energetic dog. It needs about 45 minutes a day of exercise and plenty more of interaction with the pack. However, this dog is equally as happy to be sat on someone’s lap and to be treated like royalty.

Once trained, a Wheaten is exceptionally obedient. It is comfortable with new surroundings and enjoys new experiences. The dog should be housed in a crate when travelling though: it is a nervy and excitable traveller.

Due to their hunting ancestry the Wheaten Terrier is liable to want to chase a cat, even one that it has grown up with. Wheatens and cats will never be friends. If you already own a cat you should think twice before inviting a Wheaten into your home, for the cat’s sake.

The Wheaten is not as dominant a breed as other terrier types and is not known to be overly aggressive toward other dogs. They are far more likely to make friends with another dog than challenge it to a fight.

Wheaten Terriers are on the whole good with children. They are robust enough to withstand some rough play but they will soon reach the limit of tolerance. They do not seem overly bothered by loud noises and general excitement but can exhibit dominance if left unsupervised with a young child.

With only a moderate need for exercise and a charming and playful personality the Wheaten would suit the household of an elderly person. Grooming requires some degree of effort.

The Wheaten has fur that does not shed. As such it may be suitable for someone with an allergy to dog hair.

11 to 13 years.

The Wheaten is a dog that is not prone to sickness. There are no significant health concerns associated with this dog.

The Wheaten does not tolerate hot weather. Care must be taken of your Wheaten during the summer months and the dog should never be left unattended in a hot car.

The coat of the Wheaten keeps the dog reasonably warm. However, this dog needs to be acclimated to cold weather.

Weight gain is seen of some Wheatens; these dogs have a huge appetite and will eat to obesity. Owners are tempted to over-feed the Wheaten due to its size and cuteness.

• Hip dysplasia
• Progressive retinal atrophy 
• Protein-losing diseases
• Atopy 
• Addison's Disease

The Wheaten came about in Ireland in the 1800s. It was bred by the common man (rather than the Upper Class) to hunt and to guard livestock. The Wheaten was also used for herding. It wasn’t until 1943 that the Kennel Club of Great Britain recognised the breed. Wheatens are still used by some farmers to kill vermin but the dog is no longer used to hunt. The Wheaten is sometimes used as an aid of human psychological therapy.