Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
HappyFriendlyDevoted
Ireland · 12–14 years
About the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is an exuberant, happy Irish farm dog with a distinctive silky, wheaten-colored coat that sets them apart from other terriers. Bred as an all-purpose farm dog in Ireland for over 200 years, Wheatens herded livestock, guarded property, and hunted vermin. They are less aggressive and more people-oriented than many terrier breeds, earning them a reputation as the 'big dog in a medium package.' Their enthusiastic greeting style — jumping up to lick faces — is so characteristic it has been named the 'Wheaten Greetin.'
Breed stats
- Height
- 17–19 in
- Weight
- 30–40 lbs
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
- Group
- Terrier
- Coat
- Single coat, soft, silky, wavy
- Origin
- Ireland
Coat colors
- Wheaten (pale gold to warm honey)
Temperament & ratings
Compatibility
Exercise & feeding
Daily exercise
40–60 min
per day recommended
Daily food
1.5–2 cups
high-quality dry food
Common health issues
- Protein-losing nephropathy
- Protein-losing enteropathy
- Addison's disease
- Renal dysplasia
- Hip dysplasia
Not every Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier will develop these conditions, but awareness helps with early detection. Regular veterinary checkups and choosing a responsible breeder who health-tests their dogs are the best preventive measures.
Can Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers eat...
- Can dogs eat blueberries?Safe
- Can dogs eat grapes?Toxic
- Can dogs eat bananas?Safe
- Can dogs eat chocolate?Toxic
- Can dogs eat watermelon?Safe
- Can dogs eat cheese?Caution
- Can dogs eat almonds?Caution
- Can dogs eat apples?Safe
Frequently Asked Questions
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are often listed as hypoallergenic because they have a single coat that sheds very little. Unlike most dogs, they lack an undercoat, which means less loose hair and dander in the environment. However, no dog is truly 100% hypoallergenic. Their continuously growing coat does require regular grooming to prevent matting — brushing every day or two and professional grooming every six to eight weeks. People with mild to moderate allergies often tolerate Wheatens well, but those with severe allergies should spend time with the breed before committing.
- The 'Wheaten Greetin' is the breed's signature enthusiastic greeting style. When a Wheaten sees someone they love — or even a stranger — they often leap up to face level, tail wagging furiously, trying to lick faces and express pure joy. This exuberant jumping is so universal in the breed that it has earned its own name. While charming to Wheaten lovers, it can be problematic with small children, elderly visitors, or people who do not appreciate an enthusiastic 35-pound dog jumping at their face. Training can moderate the behavior but rarely eliminates it entirely.
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are prone to two serious and potentially life-threatening conditions: protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) and protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). PLN causes the kidneys to leak protein into urine, while PLE causes protein loss through the intestines. Both can be fatal if not caught early. Responsible breeders screen for these conditions, and annual urine and blood protein testing is strongly recommended for all Wheatens. Addison's disease is another concern. With regular health monitoring and a responsible breeder, many Wheatens live healthy lives to 12-14 years.
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