The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is the dog for the whole family. Especially for couples where the lady wants a fluffy looking, playful dog and the man feels like getting a manly dog which needs a real man to release its high level energy that it packs under that adorable fur. The breed has its origins in Ireland and is thought to be one of the oldest Irish breeds. Over 200 years ago when owning a hound was forbidden, the working class turned to the terrier for an all purpose dog that can herd and guard livestock, hunt vermin and be a companion to them. Although there is little written history about the breed, they are thought to be related to the Kerry Blue and the Irish Terrier. Another sign that they were a working class dog is their docked tail, which, in those times, would exempt the owner from paying taxes on the dog. The Irish Kennel Club recognized the breed only in 1937, and although this terrier made it to America in 1946, the American Kennel Club recognized it in 1973.
Unlike most terriers, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier has a silky coat with blonde "bangs" hanging over their eyes. The puppies are born with a dark brown coat and will get that wheat color when they reach adulthood at the age of 2. The owners who want to preserve the unique original look will keep the beard that make this breed stand out.
The coat has a long hair they will do well in any type of climate. Of course with a long coat like that, daily brushing is necessary - not with a brush, as it tends to make the soft coat fuzzy, but with a medium-tooth comb. They do not shed their coat in spring and autumn, but if you keep them groomed, very little hair will be shed.
We can find these fluffy fellas in two varieties of coats, the American and the Irish. The Irish coat is a bit thinner and silkier. Health wise they are generally healthy but you need to pay special attention to flees as a bite from these tiny creatures can trigger an allergic reaction throughout the entire body. They are a medium size breed with a compact almost square body and with a height of 18-20 in (46-51 cm) and a weight of 35-45 lbs (16-20 kg).
This is an intelligent dog and reacts very well to training, especially if you start with it young. This dog can be an excellent addition to the family as it enjoys the companion of people and loves spending time with children. Being a happy, playful and energy-packed dog, they will play with your child for hours in the back yard, making both kid and dog very happy. Also, they make great watch dogs and they will bark upon arrival of guests.
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier needs an owner that will always communicate with it, is firm but calm, always consistent and has confidence in their dog.
