Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier

At a Glance

Temperament

Soft-coated Wheaten Terriers are friendly, playful, and sociable dogs that get along wonderfully with children and other dogs. They're intelligent and eager to please, responding best to praise and making them surprisingly easy to train for their terrier heritage. These dogs are energetic and versatile, excelling in obedience, agility, and even animal-assisted therapy. Their affectionate nature combined with their quick minds makes them ideal family companions who thrive on interaction and mental stimulation.

History

Bred in Ireland for over two centuries as all-purpose farm dogs, Wheatens were named the "Poor Man's Wolfhound" because common farmers couldn't legally own hunting dogs like Irish Wolfhounds, so they developed this versatile breed instead. Originally performing duties ranging from herding and guarding livestock to hunting vermin, the breed wasn't officially recognized by the Irish Kennel Club until 1937, despite its long history. The breed gained international recognition in the 1940s-1970s, being accepted by the British Kennel Club in 1943 and the American Kennel Club in 1973. Today, they're celebrated competitors in modern dog sports and therapy work.

Health Notes

Soft-coated Wheaten Terriers are generally healthy dogs, though they require consistent grooming to prevent matting due to their continuously growing coats. Their soft, silky hair needs daily brushing and regular professional trimming to maintain coat health. As with most breeds, prospective owners should source puppies from reputable breeders and request health clearances.

Fun Facts

• Wheaten puppies are born with dark red, brown, or mahogany coats that gradually fade to nearly white before maturing into their signature wheat color by age 3.
• They were historically docked (tails cut) in Ireland to avoid taxes, and size was carefully controlled to meet specific requirements.
• Their coat grows continuously like human hair and Poodle fur, meaning they shed minimally but need daily brushing to prevent mats.
• The breed shares common ancestry with the Kerry Blue Terrier and Irish Terrier but was deliberately bred for common farmers rather than nobility.
• They're versatile enough to compete in obedience, agility, tracking, herding trials, and animal-assisted therapy all in the modern era.
• If a Wheaten gets a skin injury, the new hair that grows in will be the dark color of their puppy coat before eventually growing out to wheat-colored.