Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Facts

Ease of training:  Medium

Shedding:  Low

Energy level:  Medium

Good with children:  Yes, with gentle, older children

Temperament

The Soft coated Wheaten Terrier is a cheerful, lively, and happy dog.  These dogs have a fair amount of energy, and enjoy vigorous play and exercise. When not on a leash, the Soft coated Wheaten Terrier needs a safe and secure area in which to play and exercise with high fences, as they may otherwise escape. They thrive on interaction, companionship, and the love of their owners, and are not suited to those that cannot commit time to look after a pet.

With proper, early socialization the Soft coated Wheaten Terrier boasts a confident, friendly, and sociable personality. However, they can be something of a handful, and are best suited to those with some experience of dog ownership. Owners need to be confident, assertive, and consistent when it comes to training. Some Wheaten’s can be obstinate, strong willed, and difficult to control with the wrong owner or inadequate training.

These spirited dogs get along well with older, gentle children, and with proper socialization will get along okay with other pets, although some can be aggressive with same sex dogs. They will bark to raise an alarm, and this makes them effective watchdogs, but they are usually friendly and sociable with strangers despite their bark. The Soft coated Wheaten Terrier is a quick learner, responsive, and intelligent, so training should not prove too much of a challenge for those with experience.  As long as you can provide this dog with the attention, as well as the mental and physical stimulation that they need, they can make a good, steady companion and pet.

Appearance

The Soft coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium sized dog, and has a short but sturdy build.  The coat is black at birth but gets gradually lighter, and by two years old, the coat should be a lovely, wheaten color with a wavy appearance. The coat is soft and silky in texture.

The Soft coated Wheaten Terrier is around 17-19 inches in height for females, and 18-19 inches for males. These dogs weigh in at 30-35 pounds for females, and 35-40 pounds for males.

Grooming

The Soft coated Wheaten Terrier does require a fair amount of grooming, and the coat will need to be brushed three or four times a week. The coat will also need to be clipped or trimmed every couple of months. The good news is that the Soft coated Wheaten Terrier is a low shedder.

Health Problems and Life Expectancy

The life expectancy of the Soft coated Wheaten Terrier is around 12-14 years, and there are a number of health problems to look out for with this breed. Some of these include vWD, PRA, HD, cataracts, renal problems, allergies, and sensitivity to drugs and chemicals. The parents of the Soft coated Wheaten Terrier puppy should have OFA and CERF certificates, and you should also look into renal function tests.

Adapted from: http://www.justdogbreeds.com/soft-coated-wheaten-terrier.html