Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (Wheaten Terrier)

Often referred to as the Wheaten Terrier, the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a playful and loving breed distinguished by its silky, soft coat. These dogs, who were first bred in Ireland, were employed as general farm dogs, assisting with livestock guarding and herding. They are an excellent option for families because of their amiable disposition and lively personality.

The Wheaten Terrier’s distinctive coat, which feels silky to the touch and doesn’t shed much, is one of its most striking characteristics. Despite the fact that their coat needs to be brushed frequently to avoid matting, many owners value the fact that they are thought to be less allergenic than other breeds.

Because of their high energy and intelligence, Wheaten Terriers are great companions for active people or families. They do best in settings that provide them with lots of physical activity and mental stimulation. These dogs make devoted and affectionate pets when given the right training and socialization.

Feature	Description
Origin	Ireland
Coat	Soft, silky, and wavy
Size	Medium, around 17-19 inches tall
Temperament	Friendly, playful, and affectionate
Exercise Needs	Moderate, enjoys walks and playtime
Grooming	Regular brushing and trimming required
Life Expectancy	12-14 years

Characteristics of the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier breed

The lovely and unique coat of the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (ISWT) inspired the breed’s name. It has a distinct color and is soft. This also explains the other name for these dogs, which is the whiten terrier (whiten meaning "wheaten").

These dogs perform well, have developed intelligence, and have a balanced temperament. They were bred to assist on farms, where they were used for livestock herding, farm security, and rodent hunting. These days, members of the breed are employed more frequently as family pets, companions, police officers, and psychotherapists.

Parameters	Characteristics
name	Irish soft-coated wheaten terrier (English. irish soft coated wheaten terrier)
country	Ireland
breed group	terriers
use	hunter, shepherd, companion
life expectancy	12-16 years
height	males 46-48 cm, females 43-46 cm
weight	males 15-20 kg, females 13-16 kg
aggression	low
activity	average
intelligence	high
character traits	friendliness, balance, devotion, curiosity, obedience, sociability

Pros

Irish terriers with soft coats are a relatively small but well-liked breed. This is because of their striking look and distinctive coat color. But these dogs also have a ton of other benefits:

• unpretentious in maintenance, suitable for an apartment;
• friendly, not aggressive;
• have a calm, balanced character;
• loyal, become attached to the owner and family members;
• love children, get along well with them;
• smart, quick-witted, easy to train;
• their coat almost does not shed and does not cause allergies.

Cons

Dogs that are lively and gregarious are wheaten terriers. Consequently, those who have sedentary lifestyles or are not often at home should not acquire them. Although these animals require little upkeep and seldom cause issues, they have a number of drawbacks:

• pronounced hunting instinct, so they can run away and do not get along well with small pets;
• tendency to dominance;
• stubbornness, willfulness;
• need for physical exercise;
• love of digging the earth.

History of the breed

One of the Irish terrier breeds is the wheaten terrier. Since ancient times, these dogs have been bred in Ireland. It was not until the 17th century that terriers with soft fur the color of wheat were first mentioned. These dogs helped graze cattle, eradicated rats and other vermin, and resided in the homes of the impoverished. Folk selection is what produced fur like this. Puppies with light colors were chosen by people because they stood out against the dry grass.

The dogs proved to be amiable, devoted, and joyful. As a result, they gained popularity fast among wealthy households in addition to peasants. They were employed for hunting hares, foxes, badgers, and otters. These dogs are resilient, active, and unyielding; they won’t stop until they catch the game. They took part in exhibitions in the 19th century, but as members of the broader Irish terrier community.

In 1937, the wheaten terrier was recognized as a distinct breed. It took 20 years for the FCI to recognize it. The breed gained popularity quickly after making its debut in Russia at the start of the twenty-first century. However, people primarily keep wheaten terriers as companions. These days, they hardly ever use their hunting abilities.

Appearance standards

Dogs of the medium size are wheaten terriers. Males typically weigh 18–20 kg and measure 46–49 cm at the withers. Women are smaller and do not follow conventional weight and size guidelines. At the withers, they can grow up to 46 cm in height and weigh 13–16 kg on average.

Head

The skull is flat and the head is elongated. The muzzle is about the same length as the skull and is slightly longer rather than shorter. The cheekbones are flat, and the stop is well defined. The nose has a straight bridge and wide nostrils. The dark brown eyes are small. The medium-sized ears are triangular in shape. positioned widely, supported by cartilage, with tips dangling and pressed up against cheekbones.

Body

The medium-length, straight neck has no discernible scruff. The build is nearly square and compact. The loin is shortened, the back is straight, and the chest is large. The tail is erect. It is usual practice to dock it by one-third of its length. The dog does not throw its tail over its back; instead, it holds it up vertically or with a slight curvature at the tip.

Limbs

The limbs are straight, muscular, and proportionately long in relation to the body. The knees and shoulder blades are clearly defined. The hands are small. The dewclaws have been cut off.

Wool and color

In contrast to other terrier breeds, the whiteton’s coat is shiny, silky, and soft. The hair reaches a maximum length of 13 cm. Like other terriers, they have feathering on the legs and a fringe, beard, and mustache on the muzzle. The coat is not fluffy; rather, it is thick, fits the body snugly, and falls in lovely waves. An undercoat is absent.

The hue is wheaten, consistent, spotless, and varying in saturation. Red and shades of light golden are acceptable. Just 1.5–2 years determine the coat’s final length and color.

The description of these dogs’ appearance is enhanced by photos:

Known by many names, the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, or Wheaten Terrier, is a gregarious, active, and adaptable dog with a silky, wheat-colored coat. This breed is a wonderful fit for active families because they are playful and loving, smart, and eager to learn. Their hypoallergenic fur and low shedding make them the perfect pet for homes where allergies are an issue. Nonetheless, these energetic dogs need regular exercise and good grooming to stay healthy and happy.

Character of wheaten terriers

Perfect family dogs are wheaten terriers. They are affectionate, devoted, and have a calm, easygoing personality. They require constant interaction with someone and become extremely bored when left alone. They grow close to every member of the family, but they prefer to obey one owner. The following qualities of character stand out in them:

• good-natured;
• sociable;
• fearless;
• cheerful;
• willful;
• cunning;
• stubborn;
• independent.

Wheatens adore kids and like frolicking and playing with them. But this isn’t a nanny; kids younger than five shouldn’t be around this breed. These dogs will never bite a child, but they are not very patient and will not put up with harsh behavior.

Wheaten terriers are not good watchdogs, even though they were once used for protection. They don’t act aggressively toward anyone, not even strangers. However, they behave very aggressively toward animals. Because it will view pets as prey, keeping this dog in the same house as cats, birds, or rodents will not work. The Wheaten’s tendency toward dominance causes conflicts with other dogs frequently.

Education and training

Like all terriers, wheatens are incredibly intelligent and perceptive. Given their unique characteristics, they are relatively easy to train and can even obey a young child. Cynologists advise observing these guidelines:

• these pets are restless, active, so classes should be short, varied;
• it is better to build training in a playful way;
• you need to be patient and persistent – these dogs are prone to dominance;
• they can be cunning, shirk training and try to manipulate the owner – you cannot give in to them;
• you cannot be rude, shout or hit the dog;
• the best reward for following commands is a treat.

A wheaten terrier needs to be trained from a young age. first getting used to the location, rules of conduct, restroom, and nickname. With the dog, you can learn the primary teams on your own. It is advised to enroll in an OKD course run by a dog handler after the dog has been with you for six to eight months. Whiten can jump on people and jumps high, so that needs to be considered. You have to wean yourself off of this at puppy age. Sports can also be played with members of this breed. They have a lot of trick training.

A picture of wheat terriers with soft hair

Wheat terriers must be kept in homes or apartments. This dog cannot be chained or kept in an aviary. She requires someone to talk to all the time. This terrier is protective of his owner even though he is apprehensive about strangers and will always bark to alert him to their presence. This dog is not hostile toward humans.

Huts require a lot of physical effort and are highly energetic, just like all terriers. They require an hour-long walk twice a day from you. Walking a dog requires you to run and engage in active games. It is advised to take your pet outside more frequently so that it can run around unrestrained. Traveling, training, and ball chasing are all favorites of wheaten terriers.

It is crucial to keep in mind that this is a hunting dog and that it may flee in pursuit of its "prey." As such, it is preferable to walk in the city while wearing a leash. Wearing a warm jumpsuit in the winter is advised, even though the breed is more tolerant of heat than cold.

These dogs need to have routine dental care:

• 1-2 times a week, clean the ears from sulfur and dirt;
• examine the eyes every day, wipe off discharge if necessary;
• trim the claws as they grow;
• brush the teeth every week;
• inspect the paw pads for cracks or damage after walks.

Coat care

The coat has to be properly cared for in order to be beautiful. Show dogs frequently get haircuts and trimmings. In order to highlight the body’s contours, the head, chest, and body hair are chopped short. Beard and whiskers are left long. Additionally, routine maintenance is required:

• comb 2-3 times a week with a metal comb and a massage brush;
• bathe 3-4 times a year with neutral detergents for long-haired dogs;
• wash paws after each walk;
• wipe or wash the whiskers and beard after meals.

The Whitan is frequently given ornamental haircuts by American breeders. This is not accepted in the breed’s native country, where the coat is left in its natural state. However, you can slightly trim the hair under the tail, between the toes, and above the eyes.

Nutrition

The wheaten terrier can be fed dry food as well as natural food. It is advised to transition to a different feeding technique gradually. Adult dogs eat twice a day, while puppies eat three to six times. You also need to give calcium supplements with any feeding method because the breed is known to be deficient in this microelement.

The pet’s diet needs to be carefully selected. This breed’s members are prone to allergies and have low tolerance for high protein and fat intake. Lean veal, rabbit, and turkey should all be served naturally fed. You can offer sea fish and offal. Vegetables, either raw or boiled, are combined with meat. Supplemental vitamins, fermented milk products, and greens are beneficial.

Whiten cannot have potatoes, pastries, candies, or items that trigger allergies. Not allowed are fatty and spicy foods, beans, sausages, smoked meats, bones, and exotic fruits.

Extra vitamins are not necessary if the pet’s owner feeds it dry food. All you have to do is select holistic or ultra-premium brands. Examining the composition is crucial to ensure that no potentially allergenic ingredients are present. Representatives of the breed should eat foods low in protein.

Health

Whitens can live up to 16 years if they receive proper care, but their average lifespan is 12–14 years. You must select a healthy, balanced diet, visit the vet frequently, and receive your vaccinations on schedule if you want to achieve this. Although members of the breed are generally well, they can occasionally suffer from the following illnesses:

• allergies;
• atopic dermatitis;
• intestinal inflammation;
• renal dysplasia;
• amyloidosis, enteropathy and nephropathy – pathologies associated with improper absorption of protein;
• cancerous tumors;
• endocrine system dysfunction;
• eye diseases.

How to buy a wheaten terrier puppy

You must locate a reputable breeder if you want to purchase a purebred puppy. There are nurseries in Russia even though the breed is not very common. Moscow has a particularly high concentration of them. A dog of this breed costs between thirty and forty thousand rubles.

Examine the documentation before making a purchase. The breeder is required to display the parents’ pedigrees, veterinary certifications, and puppy cards. It is advised to familiarize yourself with the mother and the guidelines for animal ownership.

Puppies of Wheaten Terriers differ from adult dogs in several ways. They may have a black mask on their muzzle and have short, velvety fur that is either dark red or gray. A healthy baby should be energetic rather than timid or hostile. It shouldn’t have dandruff, bald patches on its fur, discharge from the eyes, or an offensive odor.

The picture depicts the puppies’ appearance:

The breed’s description is enhanced by the video:

Wheaten Terrier in video

Video: Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier: An Overview of the Breed

A delightful and versatile breed, the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a wonderful addition to many kinds of homes. They get along especially well with kids and other pets because of their loving disposition and playful energy.

Although Wheaten Terriers are intelligent and eager to please, they can occasionally be stubborn, so training them can take some time. Consistent training and early socialization help them develop into confident, well-mannered dogs.

They require frequent grooming to maintain their unique, silky coat. Despite their minimal shedding, they still need to brush and trim their coat to avoid matting and maintain their best appearance.

All things considered, the Wheaten Terrier is a devoted and energetic canine that will shower its owner in affection and personality.

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