The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a wonderful dog for allergy suffers from dog hair. They shed hardly at all and in spring and fall, they do not shed at all. These dogs are known for hunting so having cats around is not a great idea. Fast movement by the cat will provoke the Terrier to attack them. If well socialized at an early age it will help the Terrier to get along better with other dogs in the house. They can challenge themselves against other male dogs but that is normal with most breeds.
This wonderful loving Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a wonderful dog to have around the house. They will tend to get close to their family and their master. Therefore, you will always know you will have the dog around and loving you for their entire life.
When children are around this will make the dog very happy. They love to play with children and tend to get very close to them. This Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier makes a wonderful watch dog. When someone comes around, they will be sure to let you know by barking. They will not bark when not needed to so then you will not get confused if someone is or is not around the house. So for the most part this breed it is a wonderful pet to have around you and with the family!
Appearance
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium sized dog. They have a great compact body. This dog is a very strong dog. They have a strong muzzle and powerful jaws that is great for them to use when gripping prey in their mouth. They have V shaped ears that fold forwards on their face. Their teeth are very large and strong. They have eyes that are almond shaped and are either hazel color or a dark brown color. Their eyes are wide set and are a medium size. They have a large nose that is black in color. The dewclaws should be removed. They have round feet with black pads and dark nails to match. Their tail is carried in the upright position and cocked.
The puppies of this breed are born black in color and as they grow older to adult age, their color lightens to a wheat color. This will happen at about two years of age. The coloring on this breed can be any shade of a wheaten color when they are older.
The height for this breed of males is between 18 inches to 20 inches and for the females, it is between 17 inches to 19 inches high. The weight for the males ranges between 35 pounds to 45 pounds and the females range between 30 pounds to 40 pounds in weight. As with most breeds, the female is a bit smaller than the males.
Personality
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a dog that is alert, happy, and can be graceful and strong. This dog is a playful and a very friendly Terrier. They do tend to bark which makes them a wonderful watch dog for your home. They can get along great with other animals in the house and do wonderfully well with children. Make sure to socialize them at a young age with animals. Watch out with cats because they do not like them. They have a very sweet temper and make sure to teach them when they are young the difference between wrong and right.
This Terrier does not handle the heat well. They can do well for apartment life and will also do fine with a small yard.
Care
When grooming this dog, make sure to use a comb and not a brush. Brushing the dog will make their coat fuzzy. So use a wide toothed comb during routine grooming. This will help keep them free of knots and mats in their fur. Make sure to keep their eyes and ears clean of any gook. You will only need to bathe them when needed. This Terrier does not shed in the spring or fall seasons but combing them from time to time will help keep away dead and loose hair.
Exercise them regularly and they will be fine. Short walks are something very good for this breed of dog.
History
Back in the 18th century, the Soft Coated Wheaten existed mainly in Munster of southwestern Ireland. It is not said of the origin for this dog but it has been said that this breed goes back even farther than the 18th century. The Terrier profession has been mainly know for being a rodent exterminator, but this Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier was known for much more than that. They were known for being a cattle and sheep herder, gun dog, small game hunter, and a guardian.
Until the 20th Century, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier was bred mainly for a working Terrier. This breed was reorganization in Ireland in 1937. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier breed was noticed in the Untied States in 1946. Slowly as time went on, more supporters of this breed were found. The American Kennel Club registered the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier in 1973. For many years, they slowly became more popular in homes and also in dog show rings, but is still modest when it comes to popularity.
It is said to be that the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is an ancestor of the Kerry Blue Terrier. The Legend has said that the Spanish Armada had sunk off the coast of Ireland and when it did, the blue coated dogs had left the ship and swam to the shore. This is where these blue coated hooked up with the soft coated wheaten terrier and as they say, the rest is mainly history.
Today, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is mainly known for being a companion dog to families around the world. They still may be used for hunting and herding but they are mainly known for being a companion dog. So now, you know the history or some of it of this dog. Again, the real origin is not said of as yet but someday it may be known with the help of DNA testing.
