Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
A friendly, bouncy Irish farm terrier with a soft, silky wheaten coat and a warm, people-loving nature.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 46–48 cm · Females 44–47 cm
- Weight
- Males 18–20.5 kg · Females 16–18 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
- Exercise
- 45–90 min a day
- Grooming
- Regular trips to a groomer
- Coat
- Silky, Wavy, medium
- Colours
- Wheaten
- Bred for
- Terrier work, Herding, Guarding, Companionship
- Country of origin
- Ireland
- FCI
- Group 3, no. 40 · Terriers
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 4/5 – High |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 5/5 – Very high |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Watchful and protective | 2/5 – Low |
| Barking | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Shedding | 1/5 – Very low |
| Grooming effort | 5/5 – Very high |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 3/5 – Moderate |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a friendly, low-shedding family dog
- enjoy an outgoing and playful companion
- are ready for regular coat care
Think twice if you …
- dislike daily grooming
- want a calm dog for a quiet household
- keep small pets
Care
Temperament
Cheerful, affectionate and outgoing, often greeting people with enthusiastic jumps. Playful well into adulthood, with a terrier's spirit.
Exercise
An hour or so of daily exercise and play keeps it happy; it enjoys agility, rally, walks and games with the family.
Grooming
Comb the soft coat thoroughly several times a week and arrange a professional trim every six to eight weeks; shedding is minimal.
Training
Learns well with positive, consistent training. Work on calm greetings early, as jumping up is common.
Health
Protein-losing nephropathy and enteropathy (kidney and bowel conditions) are the main concerns, along with occasional hip dysplasia. Ask the breeder for hip, eye and DNA results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Eye examination
DNA tests
- PLN-associated variants (NPHS1/KIRREL2)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier was the all-purpose dog of small Irish farms, used to catch vermin, guard the yard and help with livestock. It was officially recognised in Ireland in 1937 and has since become a popular companion in many countries.
Wheatens are known for their exuberant greetings and love of people. They are usually more sociable than many terriers but still have plenty of energy and a stubborn side. The single coat sheds very little, which many owners appreciate, but it tangles easily and needs real commitment to keep it in good condition.
Did you know?
Wheaten puppies are born darker and their coat usually settles into its final wheaten shade by about two years of age.