Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is a 200-year-old breed that was developed in Ireland to serve as a working farm dog. These dogs were used as retrievers during the hunt, to patrol the borders of the farmstead keeping vermin and at bay, and even to herd. Somewhat less scrappy than other terrier breeds, but still retaining the spunk and happy high energy of the terrier type, it has survived to become a popular house pet. The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium-sized dog, sturdy and square of build. This dog is medium of bone, and its legs are slightly long for its body size. It is substantial of musculature. This dog stands an average 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder. Its overall appearance is one of alertness and athleticism. The single coat is extremely soft to the touch, silky, and wavy. It is never coarse or wiry like the coats of many terrier breeds. It is a creamy wheaten color; puppies are born a dark apricot color that fades as they mature to the wheaten shade. The coat comes in two varieties: the American and the Irish, with the Irish variety being a bit thinner and silkier. The face has a noticeable beard, and eyebrows that tend to emphasize the eyes. The topline of this breed is level. The tail may be docked or left natural and is always carried erect up over the back regardless. The ears are triangular and drop, lightly feathered. This breed has a quick, energetic gait that suggests the power in its constitution and its stamina as a worker. The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is one of the three large-type terriers in Ireland, and it is thought to be possibly the foundation of the other two; it is believed to be hundreds of years old. A legend says that when the Spanish Armada was sunk off the shore of Ireland, the dogs who swam ashore found the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers waiting to greet them. Ironically, the Irish Terrier and the Kerry Blue Terrier were mostly bred and used by nobility, while the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier was considered the poor man's dog. It was however a versatile, hard-working breed, capable of all around farm work that the others were not. It is unknown how old the breed actually is, since there are no written records, its breeders often illiterate. What can be said is that the best specimens for work were the ones likely bred the most, and so nature itself had a large hand in creating the hardy, well-built, superior working dog we see today. Having been used as a working dog by a class that didn't have the time or resources to worry about breeding dogs for show, the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier was not recognized in its own country until 1937 when the Irish Kennel Club added the breed to its registry. This was followed by the UK's Kennel Club in 1943. The first Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier arrived in the United States in 1946, but the breed didn't catch on for many years. The American Kennel Club finally recognized the breed in 1973. The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is a very active breed. Bred to work independently, it has a wonderfully discriminating mind, but needs a lot of mental as well as physical stimulation to remain content and balanced. This dog should be taken for a long walk daily and be given several interactive play sessions with its owner. A fenced yard to run around in is a good idea for this dog, as are lots of toys. The coat of the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier requires daily combing to remain free of tangles and matting. Allowing mats to form can cause a source of constant pain to the dog and encourage skin infections and parasites. The coat should be groomed with a wide-toothed comb; using a brush will tend to frizz the hair. This dog may be bathed as needed. The ears should be monitored for dirt, debris and infection, especially if the dog spends time outdoors. The coat of the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier will require the attentions of a professional groomer about every six to eight weeks, depending upon the trim. The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is a generally healthy and long-lived breed. Health problems that may occur are Von Willebrand's disease (a blood disorder), renal dysplasia, hip dysplasia, Addison's disease and inflammatory bowel disease. Occasionally an individual presents with protein-losing nephropathy (a kidney disorder - PLN) and protein-losing enteropathy (a disorder of the intestinal tract PLE). Both of these are fatal. The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier sometimes tends to be extra sensitive to environmental allergens. The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier requires consistent, firm but positive training. It is intelligent and headstrong, and harsh training can cause a fear-aggression reaction to develop. As do most of the intelligent terriers, it can become bored with repetitive training routines and lose focus. Therefore it is important to make training fun and interesting by changing location, tools and routine when possible. The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is a very social breed and needs to spend time with its human pack. It does not do well when left alone for long periods. This breed does very well with children, enjoying their play and high energy. It is not prone to be snappish and impatient with children, as are many terriers. The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier can be very reserved with strangers and visitors until it gets to know them. Unlike many terriers, this dog is not yappy; it will often bark to alert the owner to a stranger's approach, but will usually not bark obsessively. This breed should be socialized early to tolerate other dogs. The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is sometimes not safe with cats and other small household pets; although it is not inherently aggressive, the quick movement of a cat can easily trigger this breed's prey drive. Owners of the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier enjoy involving it in agility and obedience competitions, and this breed makes a good therapy dog as well.

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