Everything about The Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier totally explained
The
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is a
breed of
dog in the
terrier family that originated in
Ireland. The name may be hyphenated or unhyphenated.
Alternatively, the words "soft" and "coated" are occasionally combined into one to make "softcoated".
There are four coat varieties: Traditional Irish, Heavy Irish, English, and American. They are considered to be
hypoallergenic, a trait popular with
allergic or
asthmatic dog owners.
Wheatens are unofficially crossbred with
Standard Poodles to create the hybrid
Whoodle.
History
The Wheaten was originally bred in Ireland to be an all-purpose farm dog whose duties would have included
herding,
watching and guarding livestock, and
vermin hunting. This is probably why they're not as aggressive as other
terriers, who were primarily vermin hunters. They are believed to be related to the
Kerry Blue Terrier.
Despite its long history, the Wheaten wasn’t recognized as a breed in Ireland by the
Irish Kennel Club until 1937. In 1943 the
English Kennel Club recognized the breed as well. The first Wheatens were exported to the United States in 1946 but serious interest in the breed took years to develop.
Lydia Vogel was one of the first breeders of the Wheaten Terrier in the United States. Finally, in 1973, they were recognized by the
American Kennel Club.
Appearance
Puppies have a dark coat of either red, brown,
mahogany or white. The muzzle and ears of Wheaten puppies may be black or dark brown. The dark puppy coat gradually grows out into a
wheat-colored white brownish coat as they get older. The color can range from wheat to white, but white coats are not considered desirable by breeders and show enthusiasts. The adult coat may contain black, white, or darker brown "guard" hairs in addition to the lighter wheaten-coloured hair.
The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium-sized dog, which ranges on average anywhere from 17 to 19 inches and weighs about 30 to 45 pounds. The breed seems to have a square structure and is well built. Its hair doesn't shed like most dogs; like human hair and
Poodle hair, it keeps growing, needs regular trimming, and drops just a few hairs daily.
The Irish coat tends to be thinner and silkier than the American variety.
A curiosity of the breed is that whenever an adult wheaten incurs an injury to the skin the resulting coat will grow out in the puppy brown color and then return to Wheat over time.
Health
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers have a life expectancy of 13-14 years and typically remain perky to the end. They are prone to some
genetic disorders, particularly
protein-losing enteropathy and
protein-losing nephropathy which constitute the loss of
protein from the
intestinal tract or the
kidneys, respectively. Both conditions are potentially fatal and difficult to diagnose. Other disorders sometimes found in this breed include:
Renal dysplasia (especially in
Europe),
Hip dysplasia, and
Progressive retinal atrophy. Several of the breed's clubs are now beginning to address these health issues.
Temperament
The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is an energetic and playful dog. They require patience and consistency in training. Always happy to see guests through the door with a bounce or a lick, the Wheaten owner must take care around young children. With proper exercise and socialization, the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier makes a terrific pet.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier'.
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