Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is one of three large terriers from Ireland. They are Jacks and Jills of all trades when it comes to farm life, having served farmers in the country for hundreds of years. They have strong instincts to protect and guard. 

They likely descended from the Kerry Blue Terrier. The first Wheaten came to the U.S. in 1946 where they did not instantly capture American hearts. They’ve since experienced a steady growth in popularity, although only moderately. 

Under the teddy bear exterior there is a hearty terrier, ready to work—and potentially drive you a bit mad in the process. They can be stubborn or unmotivated, so it’s important an owner knows how to train and manage the dog properly. An owner should love this breed for all their quirks and embrace them, and that includes potentially not getting along with other dogs or people. You should have time for varied and vigorous walks or space to let them run free, and buckets of patience when it comes to training them.

A variety of walking routes or space to run freely will help keep a Wheaten in good mental and physical shape. They love activities like scent work, chasing lures, or retrieving toys. They are active and athletic and need positive reinforcement to direct them towards doing something constructive rather than destructive.

Terriers love to dig, so owners will need a secure, fenced-in yard that’s reinforced for these mini Houdinis. They can jump surprisingly high, too. Wheaten Terriers do best in rural and suburban areas where they can satisfy their need to dig, alert, and run without alarming any close neighbors..

Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers don’t shed their silky, gently curled coat. You’ll need to groom them several times a week to keep them shiny and tangle-free. If your Wheaten is a puppy between the ages of seven months and two years, grooming will need to be ramped up as the adult coat comes in. Their coats can be high maintenance and take a long time to wash and dry, so professional grooming might be the best route for some owners.

An independent thinker who might challenge you, the Wheaten Terrier can be a quick learner if given the right motivation. They have an innate desire to chase, rag, and bite and will need toys and games to satisfy these needs. If you can exhaust them mentally and physically, they will be happy pups. They need ongoing socialization with other dogs and animals and will need to focus on strong recall and a reliable retrieve and drop.

If your family is devoted to dog-centric activities such as long walks in nature, dog training as a hobby, or anything else outdoors, the Wheaten can make a great family pet. They’re not ideal for small children as terriers can be feisty.

The cost of a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.