Terrier irlandais poil doux

Soft coated wheaten

Standard N° 40

Utilisation

Les « Wheaten Terriers » furent utilisés de tout temps par de petits fermiers pour la destruction des nuisibles ou pour aider aux travaux de la ferme. On s’en est servi longtemps pour la chasse – pas facile – au blaireau et à la loutre.

Bref aperçu historique

L’histoire du Terrier Irlandais à poil doux a été quelque peu occultée, ayant été liée de très près à celle des autres terriers irlandais. Le Wheaten est probablement la plus ancienne des quatre races de terriers irlandais. Son existence remonte au moins à deux cents ans, comme en témoignent des textes qui font mention de chiens au « poil doux ». Les liens du Terrier Irlandais moderne avec le Wheaten, bien que l’on soit moins bien documenté, semblent avoir été le résultat d’expériences d’élevage faites intentionnellement. Le modeste Wheaten a donc probablement une ascendance passablement mélangée. Malgré la longue histoire du Wheaten, ce n’est pas avant 1937 que le Wheaten à poil doux fut reconnu officiellement par le Kennel Club irlandais. Depuis cette époque, la race a gagné régulièrement en popularité; actuellement elle est bien connue dans le monde entier.

Aspect général

Chien rustique, actif, au rein court, bien construit, donnant une impression de force. Ni trop haut sur pattes ni trop près de terre.

Comportement / caractère

Intrépide, plein d’allant, doué d’un bon caractère, très affectueux et fidèle à ses maîtres, très intelligent.
C’est un ami sûr et loyal, excellent défenseur sans agressivité.

Tête

Dans son ensemble, puissante sans être grossière. La tête est longue, bien proportionnée par rapport au corps. Le poil est de la même couleur que sur le corps.
Région cranienne :
Crâne : Le crâne est plat, net entre les oreilles, pas trop large.
Stop : Marqué.
Région faciale :
Truffe : Noire et bien développée.
Museau : Le museau n’est pas plus long que le crâne.
Mâchoires : Mâchoires fortes et « redoutables ».
Dents : Fortes, régulièrement implantées. Articulé en ciseaux ou en pince (bout à bout). Pas de prognathisme supérieur ni inférieur.
Joues : Arcades zygomatiques non proéminentes.
Yeux : De couleur foncée, noisette foncé, pas trop grands, pas proéminents, bien placés.
Oreilles : Petites à moyennes, portées vers l’avant, au niveau du crâne.
La base de l’oreille ombrée est admise et n’est pas rare, accompagnée d’une zone de couleur froment clair. C’est la seule région où le sous-poil soit admis. L’oreille en rose ou l’oreille flottante ne sont pas admises.
Cou : De longueur modérée, fort, mais sans fanon.

Corps

Pas trop long. La longueur, du garrot à la base de la queue est approximativement égale à la hauteur au garrot.
Dos : Fort et horizontal ; ligne du dessus unie.
Rein : Court et puissant.
Poitrine : Haute. Côtes bien cintrées.
Queue : Bien attachée, pas trop épaisse, portée gaiement mais jamais sur le dos. Elle est coupée de façon à laisser deux tiers de sa longueur d’origine, ce qui est donné comme une bonne proportion par rapport au corps. La queue non coupée est admise.

Membres

Membres antérieurs :
Epaule : Omoplate fine et bien inclinée. Epaule musclée.
Avant-bras : Parfaitement droits, vus sous n’importe quel angle. Bonne ossature; bien musclés.
Membres postérieurs : Bien développés; musculature puissante.
Cuisses : Fortes et musclées.
Grassets : Bien coudés.
Jarrets : Bien descendus, ils ne sont tournés ni en dedans ni en dehors.
Il faut procéder à l’ablation des ergots.
Pieds : Petits. Les doigts ne doivent pas être écartés. Ongles noirs de préférence, mais d’autres couleurs foncées sont admises.
Allures : Mouvement dans l’axe du corps à l’avant comme à l’arrière.
Les coudes sont bien rentrés. Vue de profil : les allures sont dégagées, légères et bien coordonnées.

Robe

Poil : Sans sous-poil. Doux de texture et soyeux au toucher, et non dur. Les jeunes sujets ne sont pas concernés. Le toilettage est admis.
Chien toiletté : Le poil est tenu ras dans la région du cou, au poitrail et sur le crâne. Il est laissé particulièrement long au-dessus des yeux et sous la mâchoire. Les moustaches sont recherchées. Franges abondantes sur les membres. Le corps est toiletté de façon à suivre la silhouette du chien mais le poil n’est pas  » sculpté « . La queue est toilettée court et nettement effilée à l’extrémité.
Chien non toiletté : Le poil, dans sa plus grande longueur, ne doit pas excéder 5 pouces (12,7 cm). Il est doux, ondulé ou forme des boucles lâches aux reflets soyeux. En aucun cas, le poil ne doit être rendu bouffant à la manière de celui d’un caniche ou d’un bobtail. Les chiens présentés dans cet état seront lourdement pénalisés, car ils donnent une fausse idée du type et de la race. L’évolution du pelage chez le chiot sera l’objet d’une attention toute particulière. Les chiots naissent rarement avec le poil exigé chez l’adulte et il faudra y veiller quand il s’agira de juger ce point du standard. Les chiots passent par plusieurs stades quant à la couleur et à la texture avant d’arriver au pelage définitif, ce qui se produit en général entre un an et demi et deux ans et demi.
Chiots : Les chiots à la naissance ont rarement la couleur ou la texture du poil convenable. Ils sont de couleur roussâtre, grisâtre et parfois nettement froment. Le masque est généralement noir. Il existe parfois une raie noire descendant au milieu du dos, ou, sur le corps, des poils aux extrémités noires. Ces marques sombres disparaissent avec la croissance.
Couleur : Couleur bien froment dans les nuances du froment clair au ton doré tirant sur le rouge.

Taille et poids

Hauteur au garrot : 46-48 cm (18-19 pouces) chez les mâles. Un peu moins chez les femelles.
Poids : De 18 kg à 20,5 kg (40-45 livres anglaises) chez les mâles. Un peu moins chez les femelles.

Défauts

Tout écart par rapport à ce qui précède sera considéré comme un défaut qui sera pénalisé en fonction de sa gravité.
• Chien craintif ou méchant.
• Truffe de couleur autre que noire.
• Prognathisme inférieur ou supérieur.
• Chez l’adulte, toute couleur de l’ensemble de la robe autre que froment.
• Oeil jaune.
• Poil terne, épais, laineux, cotonneux.
• Robe blanche, robe marron.
Les chiens porteurs de ces défauts éliminatoires ne doivent jamais être utilisés comme géniteurs.
N.B. : Les mâles doivent avoir deux testicules d’apparence normale complètement descendus dans le scrotum.

Origine

Le Terrier irlandais à poil doux a été élevé et sélectionné par les fermiers irlandais pendant plus de 200 ans dans le but d’exterminer la vermine. C’est un bon ratier et un excellent chien de ferme polyvalent. La race a été officiellement reconnue par le Kennel Club irlandais à la fin des années 1930, et par le Kennel Club britannique au début des années 1940. Ce chien est le terrier irlandais le plus ancien ; il est la preuve que le talent des éleveurs irlandais ne se limite pas aux chevaux de course.

Personnalité

Le Terrier irlandais à poil doux est un chien amusant qui possède une forte personnalité. Si vous l’incluez dans vos activités quotidiennes, il se révélera digne de confiance. Ses bêtises occasionnelles vous obligeront à rester vigilant, mais il est généralement  » gentiment taquin « . Il apprend vite mais, comme la plupart des terriers, il peut se montrer têtu.

Le Terrier irlandais à poil doux jouit généralement d’une santé robuste. Toutefois, il peut parfois développer des maladies rénales ou digestives héréditaires. Ce Terrier est également prédisposé aux allergies cutanées.

Exercice

Le Terrier irlandais à poil doux est un chien actif. Il doit faire suffisamment d’exercice, sinon il risque de devenir turbulent à l’intérieur. Un adulte doit se dépenser au moins une heure par jour (plus de préférence si vous en avez la possibilité).

Nutrition

Votre chien doit recevoir un aliment bien équilibré nutritionnellement. Il doit toujours avoir de l’eau fraîche à disposition. Il est important de contrôler régulièrement son état corporel pour qu’il garde une silhouette idéale. Donnez lui au moins deux repas par jour en respectant les recommandations données sur l’emballage de l’aliment.

Entretien

Le Terrier irlandais à poil doux ne perd pas ses poils. Entretenez son pelage soyeux et légèrement ondulé plusieurs fois par semaine afin de le garder propre et brillant et d’empêcher les nœuds de se former. Entre 7 et 24 mois, ce Terrier demande un entretien accru car c’est à cette période que le poil d’adulte se met en place.

Les meilleures races canines pour les enfants

Si de nombreux chiens sont connus pour être sociables avec les enfants, à la fois les chiens et les enfants doivent apprendre à se comprendre, à se respecter et à ne pas se faire mal. Les chiens et les jeunes enfants ne doivent de toute façon pas rester seuls et les adultes doivent surveiller toutes leurs interactions.

Irish Terrier à poil doux

Le terrier irlandais à poil doux (Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier en anglais) est une race de chiens originaire d’Irlande. Les premières mentions d’un chien de terrier à poil doux datent du XIXe siècle qui étaient utilisés comme chien de ferme polyvalent. Reconnu au milieu du XXe siècle, la race s’est notamment exportée aux États-Unis.Le terrier irlandais à poil court est un chien de terrier de taille moyenne à grande, d’aspect rustique et actif. La tête est longue, bien proportionnée, avec un stop prononcé. Les oreilles de dimension petite à moyenne sont portées vers l’avant. Bien attachée, la queue est portée gaiement. Elle est parfois écourtée d’un tiers de sa longueur. La robe est froment avec de longs poils soyeux.Le terrier irlandais à poil doux est un chien de compagnie intrépide, affectueux et fidèle.

Le terrier irlandais à poil doux est probablement la plus ancienne des quatre races de terriers irlandais. Les premières mentions de chiens irlandais à poil doux datent du début du XIXe siècle. C’était alors une race polyvalente utilisée comme chien de chasse, notamment pour la chasse au blaireau, à la loutre ou aux nuisibles, chien de berger et chien de garde dans le comté de Munster. Les liens avec les autres terriers irlandais sont mal documentés : il y a probablement eu des expériences d’élevage avec le terrier irlandais et la race a participé à la création du Kerry Blue terrier. Malgré son origine ancienne, le terrier irlandais à poil doux n’est reconnu par le Kennel Club irlandais qu’en 1937 et par le Kennel Club anglais en 1943.Par la suite, la race a gagné en popularité et s’est répandue dans le monde, notamment aux États-Unis. Avec 94 inscriptions au livre des origines français (LOF) en 2012, la race est peu représentée en France. Au Royaume-Uni, avec entre 287 et 455 inscriptions sur les registres du Kennel Club anglais chaque année, la race n’est pas très populaire, même parmi le groupe des terriers. Aux États-Unis en 2013, le terrier irlandais à poil doux est la 51e race la plus populaire sur 127, selon l’American Kennel Club.

Le standard FCI décrit la race comme intrépide, affectueuse et fidèle à ses maîtres, intelligente et qui a des dons pour la garde. Joueur, il apprécie les enfants. Le terrier irlandais à poil doux est considéré comme moins bagarreur et aboyeur que les autres terriers.

Caractéristiques physiques du Irish Terrier à poil doux

Le Irish Terrier à poil doux est un chien bien construit, qui dégage une impression de force. Il ne doit être ni trop haut sur ses pattes ni trop bas. La tête est longue, bien proportionnée au corps. Le crâne est plat, sans plis, ni trop large. Le stop est marqué. La longueur du museau ne doit pas dépasser celle du crâne. Les yeux sont de couleut brun noisette, ni trop grands ni saillants. Les oreilles, de petites à moyennes, sont portées en avant, bien adhérentes au crâne. Le tronc est ramassé, pas trop long, avec le rein puissant et court. Les membres sont parfaitement droits, bien musclés et d’une ossature solide. La queue, bien attachée, pas trop épaisse, est portée gaiement : elle est amputée à un tiers de sa longueur.

Poil : fin et soyeux au toucher.
Couleur : toutes les teintes qui vont de la couleur blé au rouge doré.
Taille : 46 à 49.5 cm pour le mâle et 43 à 46 cm pour la femelle
Poids : 15 à 18 kg pour le mâle et 13 à 15 kg pour la femelle

Origines et histoire

C’est une race très ancienne, très utilisée pour la chasse mais également avec les troupeaux et pour la garde. Elle n’a été reconnue que récemment : en 1937 en Irlande et en 1943 en Grande-Bretagne. Elle est originaire du comté de Munster et elle a certainement participé à la formation des deux autres races beaucoup plus connues : l’Irish Terrier et le Kerry Blue Terrier.

Caractère et aptitudes

À la différence des autres Terriers, l’Irish Terrier à poil doux n’est pas irascible et bagarreur avec les autres animaux. Il est toutefois très courageux. En famille, il se montre affectueux, très fidèle, toujours joyeux et prêt à jouer. C’est un très bon compagnon pour les enfants. Né comme chien de chasse, il est surtout utilisé aujourd’hui comme chien de compagnie parce qu’il est très équilibré, plus sympathique et moins aboyeur que la plupart des Terriers. Il sait également être un excellent gardien.

Conditions de vie

Aussi bien dans une maison que dans un jardin, sans problèmes.

Santé

Il est connu pour avoir une santé de fer.

Espérance de vie moyenne : environ 13 ans

Remarques et conseils

C’est un chien très répandu et très apprécié aux États-Unis où l’on a inventé à son intention un toilettage très original. En Grande-Bretagne, son toilettage est en revanche interdit.

Meet the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: An Irish Treasure

July 20, 2018 Reading Time: 4 minutes

Are you looking for a kind-natured dog that still has enough energy to keep up with an active young family? The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier may be the pet for you! Read on to learn about the breed’s history, tips for care and training, and where to get them!

Table of Contents

Fluffy, Cute, and Loving: Who is the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium dog breed, who was originally used as a general farm dog. Nowadays, they are better known to be lovable pets, all thanks to their sweet temperament and easygoing natures.

Apart from their fun-loving personality, these doggos are gaining much popularity for their amazingly soft and silky coats.

An Irish Treasure: History of the Wheaten Dog

The Wheaten Terrier breed hails from Ireland, where it is still a very popular dog. These dogs were bred as all-round farm dogs, where their roles included guarding, killing vermin, bird-dogging, herding, and of course, companionship.

This breed was sometimes known as the “Poor Man’s Wolfhound”, as these dogs were owned by working people, rather than the gentry.

The Wheaten dog breed is believed to be over 200 years old, and it shares ancestry with two other popular Irish breeds—the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Irish Terrier. The breed was first recognized by the Irish Kennel Club in 1937, and by the British Kennel Club in 1943.

Wheatens came to America in the same decade, brought by Lydia Vogel, but the breed was not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) until 1973.

It’s A Wheaten, not Wheaton Terrier!

The name “wheaten” comes from wheat, and describes the unique and distinctive color of these dogs coats.

Appearance and Personality of the Sweet Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium-sized dog, famed for its silky soft single coat. In fact, there are two coat types present for the breed, the Irish coat, which is softer and gently waved, and the American coat, which is coarser and more wooly.

The Irish coat is the breed standard, including in America. All of these dogs are the same unique, wheaten shade.

Wheaten Terrier puppies are born with darker coats of reddish-brown or mahogany. This dark coat grows out to almost white in adolescent dogs, before maturing to the eponymous wheaten color.

If a dog loses fur for any reason once it is mature, the fur will grow back in the same puppy mahogany, turning wheaten once it has reached full length.

These dogs have the square stance that is typical of many Terriers, and a strong, sporty build. Their dark eyes are wide set and slightly almond-shaped, with an alert expression.

The tail is usually docked in the US, and is carried straight up at 90 degrees to the back.

How Big Do They Get?

These dogs are medium-sized, with an average height of 18 to 19 in (46 to 48 cm) for males and 17 to 18 in (43 to 46 cm) for females. The average weight for this breed is 35 to 40 lb (16 to 18 kg) for males and 30 to 35 pounds (14 to 16 kg) for females.

Do These Puppers Have A Good Temperament?

This breed is known for a good-natured, playful temperament, though they can be very energetic. This energy is present in all ages of Wheaten Terriers, not just puppies and young dogs, so make sure you’re committed to a rigorous exercise routine for at least the next 10 years!

Wheaten Terriers typically get on well with children and other dogs, though they should be supervised around young children or very small dogs, due to their high energy levels and prey drive.

4 Facts You Need to Know About Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Puppies

1. According to the AKC, the Wheaten Terrier is the 49th most popular breed in the US, right behind the Bloodhound.
2. A Wheaten Terrier stars in a famous piece of Victorian art, “The Aran Fisherman’s Drowned Child” by Frederic William Burton.
3. Why not consider a traditional Irish Gaelic name for your Wheaten pup? Great Gaelic Wheaten Terrier names include Keeva (“gentle, beautiful, precious”), Maeve (“the cause of great joy”) and Ava (“beautiful, radiant, joyful”) for females, or Glendon (“one from the settlement or fortress in the glen”), Lorcan (“silent, brave”) and Niall (“passionate, vehement”) for males.
4. Because Wheatens don’t shed, they are less likely to cause allergies than other dogs. They do still produce dander, however.

From Grooming to Training! Caring for your Wheaten Terrier Puppy

All puppies require lots of care and hard work, and Wheaten Terrier puppies are no different! These dogs need a good quality dog food that can give them the energy they need without causing obesity, which can happen with these dogs if they don’t have a healthy diet.

Grooming and Maintenance Requirements!

Like Poodles, the Wheaten Terrier dog does not shed its fur, and as such needs frequent trimming. They also need daily brushing to keep their coats free of tangles and debris.

Trainability

Dogs of this breed are intelligent, and can be trained, but may have a stubborn, headstrong streak.

With consistent training though, these dogs can even compete in obedience and agility trials, as well as working as animal-assisted therapy dogs, all of which stand testament to the breed’s trainability.

Wheaten Terriers respond best to positive reinforcement, as harsher methods can result in aggression or nervousness. Start training from a young age, before any bad habits have a chance to develop.

Are Wheaten Terrier Puppies A Healthy Breed?

This breed is generally strong and healthy, especially dogs that come from responsible breeders. However, as with all breeds, there are certain conditions that these dogs are more prone to.

Wheaten Terriers are at an increased risk of Von Willebrand’s Disease (a blood clotting disease), hip dysplasia, renal dysplasia (which affects the kidneys), Addison’s Disease (a hormone disorder) and degenerative myelopathy (a neurological disorder that can lead to weakness and paralysis in the hind legs).

These dogs are also prone to inheriting protein-wasting conditions, including protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) and protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). In PLN, dogs lose protein in the kidneys, while in PLE, they lose protein in the digestive tracts.

As many of these conditions are hereditary, all responsible breeders will carry out genetic testing before breeding dogs together, to minimize the likelihood of these diseases being passed on.

Always discuss genetic testing with a breeder before purchasing a puppy.

These Puppers Can Live A Long and Happy Life!

These dogs are one of the more long-lived breeds, given their modest size and hardy origins. The average lifespan for a Wheaten Terrier is 10 to 13 years.

5 Tips for First Time Owners with Wheaten Terriers

1. As with all Terrier breeds, these dogs have a strong prey drive. Though they tend to get on well with other dogs, if you want them to live with cats or other pets, they will need careful socialization from a young age.
2. These dogs are suited to the cool Irish climate, and can easily overheat in warm weather.
3. Given their guarding origins, these dogs are likely to bark at strangers or perceived intruders. Careful training and socialization from a young age can help to minimize this behavior.
4. These dogs need lots of exercise: ideally at least 30 minutes to an hour every day. They love having a garden to race around in. That being said, they can adapt to living in an apartment, as long as they get frequent walks.
5. Wheatens are people-oriented dogs, and don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time. These dogs can get separation anxiety if left, which can result in barking and destructive behavior.

Ready to Get A Wheaten Spaniel Puppy?

All puppies are adorable, but also hard work! Wheaten puppies are no different, so be prepared to commit lots of time, effort, money and love to your new furry friend!

Reputable Wheaten Breeders!

Always buy puppies from reputable breeders—we can’t say it enough! Not only will you get a happier, healthier puppy with all its vaccinations, and which has been tested for hereditary diseases, but you will also be supporting ethical, cruelty-free businesses.

The AKC keeps a directory of active, vetted breeders with puppies for sale, as does the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America (SCWTCA).

Wheaten Terrier Rescue!

If a puppy isn’t for you, why not consider adopting an adult Wheaten Terrier? The SCWTCA also lists Wheaten Terrier rescue organizations on their website.

The Price of a Pup!

Expect to pay around $1,000 for a Wheaten Terrier puppy from a reputable breeder.

A Softie Who’ll Never Leave You!

These beautiful, happy dogs make great family pets. They’ll be content to follow you around, go for runs, and curl up in front of the TV with you at the end of the day. Doesn’t that sound like heaven?

Common Questions

What is the difference between an Irish Wheaten and an American Wheaten?

Can Wheaten Terriers live in apartments?

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About Post Author

Kathryn Anderson

Senior Marketing Associate and pet care advocate who loves to develop new content across all platforms for pet owners everywhere.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier – Irish Haircoat


Heartland Classics offers quality gentle natured Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers produced by our Irish import parents. These parents have traveled many miles to become at home with our family. One look at these beauties and you’re sure to fall in love. In the past years, we have since adopted a few loving American born Wheatens as well. Our Irish born parent stock meet the standards of both the IKC and the American Kennel Club (AKC) and therefore carry registrations from both clubs.

When breeding an Irish coated wheaten to an Irish coated wheaten, all puppies in the litter will have Irish coats. Upon further research and study you will find it said time and time again that the Irish bloodlines produce a healthier dog due to the larger gene pool and the lack of the crossbreeding that was done by Americans and the British to create the dense wooly coats of today’s American coated Wheatens.

Although not done often, if an American coated dam/sire is bred to an Irish coated dam/sire, we are able to produce an American coated puppy with wonderful first generation Irish blood. Part of this litter would carry Irish haircoats with the remaining puppies carrying American haircoats.

Although all Wheatens do stem from Irish roots, those with American haircoats have deviated from the original Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier breed as it originated in its homeland. We spent the additional time and money to import our dams and sires from Ireland to ensure good health and the traditional Irish coats that are a rarity here within the states. We do raise both Irish coated and American coated puppies. Neither coat sheds, both are low dander and great for allergy sufferers. All Wheatens are born dark brown and go through a color changing process and a haircoat change which actually takes a full two years for the adult coat to fill in.

Please to take the time to make yourself aware of the differences between the two coats.

Irish Haircoat

An Irish coated puppy is born with soft hair as well. This hair goes through a changing process for several years. They too are born dark and lighten. About the time they leave me, their hair is beginning to have some bristles intermixed with the soft glossy wheaten colored coat which is referred to as the “harsh” puppy coat of the Irish wheaten. Their hair is slow to grow. Professional grooming will not need to be done until they are approximately 9 months of age. At this time scissoring will be done to form the wheaten terrier headset, as well as scissoring to even up the body hair.

The haircoat will slowly lighten and by the time they reach the two-three years the hair will have lightened, the hair has softened, falls in beautiful waves and carries an irresistible sheen. Here and there it will carry a few of those bristles in it yet. Because of those bristles, this coat does not tangle like the American coat and does not require the overall grooming of the American coat. In the Irish showring, the SCWT are penalized if they are trimmed with those clippers as used on American coats.

We own by absolutely beautiful Wheatens coming from their homeland of Ireland. We have reason to stand tall and proud. We appreciate their devotion strongly feel that this breed that will satisfy the entire family being a medium breed without shedding. If you are looking for an “in-between” sized companion who can cuddle, play ball, swim, and tumble with the kids – then a Soft Coated Wheaten is your new best friend.

Our wheaten puppies mature to 35-40 pounds and stand 17-19 inches at the shoulder. Average lifespan of a wheaten terrier is 12-15 years.

Litters are carefully planned to maintain the integrity of the breed.

We do not sell puppies to pet stores, brokers or breeders. Only to pet homes such as yours and mine!

All puppies are current on dewormings and vaccinations. They each have an AVID microchip inserted between the shoulder blades for positive identification. Tails are docked. If you wish to own a Wheaten with a full, natural tail that can be had. We ask for commitment and full payment at one week of age should you not want the tail docked.

Each year the SCWT of Northern California sponsors a herding clinic and instinct test near Sacramento. About 80% of the dogs usually pass the test. A number of dogs have an HCT (herding capability tested) title with the American Herding Breeds Assoc. and several others have their first leg.

Do Wheatens bark?/Are they good watchdogs?

They are not, as a rule, given to barking, but they are alert to their surroundings and generally will announce visitors. Usually when a Wheaten barks, it is best to investigate. They are not particularly territorial, but they are very loyal to their family. Their size and loyalty will make them good for personal protection, but they are much too sociable to be a guard dog.

Are they all the same color?

They are all wheaten in color as the name implies. Wheaten, however, encompasses a range from almost silver to a reddish gold. Wheatens often have blue-gray shading on their ears and beards — reminding us of their link to the Kerry Blue Terrier.

Why don’t the puppies look more like the dogs?

There is more variation among puppies in Wheatens (even within a single litter) than is common for single colored breeds that breed true to type. Puppies can have flat or fluffy coats, hard or soft coats, and can be light in color or dark. They can also have black tipping, black muzzles, or white blazes on their chests.

The adult coat texture and color is achieved through gradual changes and should be set by the time the dog is two years old. Some adolescents will go through a stage where they are much lighter than adult dogs. The standard makes allowances for these coat changes.

What is a Wheaten welcome?

They are well known for their habit of introducing themselves to strangers (and friends) by jumping straight up and licking people on the face or smelling a person’s breath. They can be trained not do perform this spectacular welcome, but you must start very early and be very consistent!

What other types of behavior are typical of Wheatens?

The following list of Wheatie characteristics is taken from responses of Wheaten owners to Wheaten-L, a mailing list for Wheaten lovers. Not all Wheatens will display all of these traits, but don’t be surprised if a Wheaten demonstrates any of them. Also, they are not all unique to Wheatens.

• Mad dashes around the house and yard
• Whirling when feeling happy
• Jumping on and off furniture rapidly while dashing around
• Jumping on people
• Mad, passionate, lightning-fast ‘kissing’ (your face, ears, hands)
• Sleeping on back with feet up or body twisted
• Beard wiping
• Sleeping across couch cushions
• Dropping toys behind couch
• Jumping on and over furniture, over baby gates
• Resting their head on your knee to get petting (dinner, let out, etc.)
• Dislike of hot weather, with inactivity
• Play bows when playing with each other
• Sitting on things like the curb, your foot, etc. (as if it were a chair)
• Putting on a”Camille” act; if you send them away, you can hear their little hearts breaking with each step they take! Also known as the, ‘Pitiful Pearl Act’. They can ‘guilt trip’ you from 40 paces.
• They sit on other dogs in play
• The ability to dash out any open door or gate (and meet with an oncoming car!) at any opportunity.
• Many (not all, but maybe most) HATE to go out in the rain but LOVE the snow.
• Tremendously sensitive to and will reflect your moods. Thrilled when you’re happy. Sad when you’re sad.
• Hate to be yelled at.
• Attached to all family members.
• Friendly and outgoing. They “never met a stranger they didn’t like”
• Many are picky eaters.
• Occasionally stubborn.
• You don’t GREET this dog, you WEAR her for an hour burrowing head in the corner of the couch, under the pillows, so that all you see is body
• When walking on a leash, they take the leash in his mouth and hold their head up like they’re walking themselves.
• They love to find sticks when they walk and carry them in their mouth like a prized possession.

How are Wheatens different from their cousins, the Kerry Blue Terriers?

Many people have narrowed down the selection of their next dog to either a Wheaten or a Kerry. Here is an opinion on how they are different. This list was compiled from comments by both Kerry and Wheaten owners. While there are some differences, the differences are small. Many of the differences can be compensated for by selecting the appropriate breeding lines.

• Kerries are slightly more feisty and more difficult to handle than Wheatens,
• Wheatens are a little more “flighty” and need more training,
• Wheatens may have a few more genetic problems,
• Kerries are more aggressive with other dogs,
• Wheaten’s hair is silkier, less curly and softer (more open),
• Wheaten’s coat requires more work and the hair may tangle more easily,
• Both Kerries and Wheatens have some skin problems, though different problems: cysts in Kerries versus rashes in Wheatens.

More information on Kerry Blue Terriers can be found at the Kerry Blue Terrier FAQ written by Daryl Enstone. Another good reference for Kerry Blues is the Kerry Blue site maintained by John Van den Bergh.

The Standard

The standard of the breed describes the ideal Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, and no one dog lives up perfectly in every regard. In general, an SCWT should resemble the standard as closely as possible. The closer to perfect, the more likely the dog is to earn a championship.

A dog can still have major faults and be a good SCWT, but should not be used for breeding. Being a good pet is nothing to be ashamed of, rather the opposite! With the pet overpopulation problem in this country, only the very best representatives of any breed should reproduce. This is not just in conformation terms, of course, but temperamentally and medically as well.

At the present time there are four standards for the Wheaten; American Kennel Club (AKC), Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), Kennel Club of Great Britain (KCGB), and the Irish Kennel Club (IKC). Because the breed was developed in Ireland, the standard from the IKC is used by the Federation of Cynologique Internationale (FCI), the international collection of kennel clubs.

The four standards are very similar to each other, but there are subtle differences. When added to the variation of judges’ interepretations and preferences, the differences in standards may lead to considerable variations in Wheatens around the world. The different standards are briefly discussed below and for more information contact the FAQ’s author.

AKC Standard for the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Because of copyright concerns over the collection of all the Standards at any single site storing all the faqs, AKC Standards are not typically included in the Breed faqs. The reader is referred to the publications in the resource section of this document or to the National Breed Club for a copy of the AKC Standard.

Several sections from the AKC standard are summarized in the following paragraphs.

General Appearance/Size

Wheatens are medium-sized, hardy, well-balanced terriers with a square outline. They are noted for their soft, silky coat of wheaten color which falls in gentle waves and their steady disposition. They should be happy, alert, well-conditioned animals that show moderation is structure and temperament.

Any exaggerations should be avoided. The dogs should be 18-19 inches at the withers and weigh in at 35-40 pounds. Bitches should be about one inch shorter and five pounds lighter.

Head

The head is rectangular in shape, well-balanced and in proportion to the rest of the body. It should be moderately long with neither coarseness nor snippiness. The top of the skull should be flat between the ears and there should be a definite stop. The skull and foreface should be of equal length.

Ears are smallish to medium and break even with the top of the skull. They lie alongside the cheek and point to the ground. The nose is black and large for the size of the dog. The eyes are slightly almond-shaped and set fairly wide apart. They should be brown or dark reddish-brown with black rims. The teeth are large and white and should meet in a level or scissors bite and be surrounded by tight black lips.

Body/Legs

The body is compact and relatively short-coupled with height (to the withers) being equal to the length (from the chest). The back is strong and level with a medium-length neck. The neck is clean and strong, but not throaty and widens as it joins to the body. The ribs are well sprung, but not barrel or slab-shaped. The chest is deep.

The tail is docked and set fairly high. It is carried erect, but not over the back. The legs are well developed and well knit. The forelegs are straight and well-boned while the hind legs have well-bent stifles and hocks that are well let down and parallel. All four feet should have been round and compact with dark nails and black pads. There should be no dewclaws.

Coat

The coat of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is one characteristic which sets it apart from other breeds. It is a single coat that abundantly covers the entire body including the legs and head. On the head it falls forward to cover the eyes. The texture of the coat is soft and silky and on the mature dog will have a slight wave (the wave will be missing in puppies and adolescents).

The correct color is any shade of wheaten except on the muzzle and ears where some blue-grey shading is allowed. Occasional guard hairs of red, white, or black may be seen.

The colors for puppies and adolescents are different. Puppies may be darker and even have black tipping. As the puppies go through adolescence, they will lighten considerably in color and may become nearly white (although white is not acceptable). They will then darken again before two years of age by which time they must acquire the proper wheaten color.

Presentation/Temperament

When shown, the Wheaten is trimmed to show a terrier outline without exaggerated stylization. The head should be blended to give a rectangular look with the beard balancing the fall. Eyes should only be indicated, not exposed.

The coat is thinned, not clipped or plucked, and should be long enough to flow when the dog is in motion. The motion should be free and graceful with good front reach and strong rear drive. Feet should turn neither in nor out and the tail should be carried erect.

The Wheaten Terrier is a happy dog and should show himself with gaiety and self-confidence. He should be alert to what goes on around him yet maintain a steady disposition. He is less aggressive than most other terriers yet will acquit himself admirably when given the chance to face off and spar.

Standards in Other Countries

The FCI standard is the same as that from Ireland, the breed’s country of origin. Essentially it is the same as that of the US, however, it permits the breed to be shown trimmed or untrimmed. For the untrimmed dog, it states – The coat at its longest not to exceed five inches. Abundant and soft, wavy and loosely curled. Abundance not to be interpreted as length. Under no circumstances should the coat be “fluffed out” like a Poodle or Old English Sheepdog. Dogs in this condition to be heavily penalized as they give a wrong impression of Type and Breed.

In Ireland, the preferred show coat has more intense wave and shine with less profuse leg furnishings than in the US. The coat may also be less full. The backs may be slightly longer and there may be less angulation in the rear assembly.

In England, the standard is, again, much the same. The statement for neck does differ where it states: Moderately long, strong, muscular and slightly arched. Without throatiness. Gradually widening toward, and running cleanly into shoulders (emphasis added). The breed is shown untrimmed in England.

In some countries, notably Sweden where the breed is fairly popular, docking of tails is illegal and the breed is shown with its natural tail. The natural tail is carried high, is slightly curved, and reaches about the same level as the top of the head.

Medical Information

The Wheaten Terrier is a generally healthy dog. They are fairly long-lived for a dog of their size and weight and can often reach their mid-teens. They also retain their puppy-like behavior longer than some breeds: sometimes well over a year. Wheatens can be quite sensitive to medications and dosages may be reduced over conventional practice. As a result, consultation with the owner’s vet is recommended.

Because of their long coat, insect bites and allergic reactions are not readily apparent and owners must regularly inspect for them — particularly in summer. Wheatens paws must be regularly checked. They have fast growing nails and somewhat profuse hair growing between pads. If either is left to grow too long, an abnormal gait can develop. Such a gait can, in turn, lead to leg damage.

As with all dogs, prospective owners should check with the breeders to see that the breeding dog’s hips are inspected and certified against hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is less of a concern for Wheatens than for many other dogs of similar size and weight. Eyes should also be certified for Progressive Retinal Atropy (PRA).

There are two more serious concerns that have been identified for SCWTs:

Sensitivity to Anesthesia

Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are very sensitive to certain anesthetics, particularly those with a barbiturate base. In this regard, they are very much like sighthounds. Any procedure requiring an anesthetic should be discussed with the vet to make sure he/she understands this sensitivity. The recommended protocol is the following:

• Preoperative tranquilizing with Acepromazine or Atropine. (Some Veterinarians may not choose to use Acepromazine)
• Induction with a combination of Ketamine and Diazepam (Valium) administrated intravenously.
• Maintenance of anesthesia with Isofluorane and Oxygen.

Protein and Kidney Abnormalities

It is suspected that Wheatens suffer from a higher than average incidence of protein wasting diseases and kidney abnormalities. The suspected i ncidence is perhaps up to 15-20% of the breed in the US, but may be lower in other countries which have not imported breeding stock from the US.

The incidence may also be much lower in some areas or lines within the US depending on the particular breeder. The average onset of these diseases is 4.5 years of age, and food allergies (particularly wheat glutens) are thought to be involved. There is presently no early test to determine whether a dog will develop a protein-losing disease.

Active research is underway to understand the causes, triggers, and genetic component of protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), protein-losing nephropathy (PLN), and Renal Dysplasia (RD). Symposiums on this subject are held periodically in different locations, e.g. Guelph Ontario on April 22, 1995, and at the US National Specialty in King of Prussia, PA on October 4, 1995.

PLE and PLN are both protein-losing diseases, one from the gut (PLE) and one from the kidneys (PLN). Both are thought to have some genetic component and to be auto-immune problems. PLE has a slightly earlier onset (at 4 years) than PLN (at 6 years), but both first appear well after the age that most dogs are bred for the first time. This late appearance of the diseases coupled with the lack of early tests for them makes elimination of the diseases quite difficult.

Renal Dysplasia is polycystic kidney disease. There are cysts that form on the kidneys and the kidneys are very small. It affects pups from birth and they usually die before their first birthday. The thinking is that it is inherited, but it isn’t known exactly how. Not all pups in the same litter will get it — some will have a disease and die, some may be carriers and never exhibit the disease, and some may be clear and not be carriers or have the disease.

A simple dominant/recessive pair does not explain the patterns seen in litters. Wheatens are not the only breed to suffer from this problem, which is also known as Juvenile Renal disease. Susan L. Fleisher has a web article on the subject.

Because of these potential health problems, some breeders recommend that Wheatens be fed a high-quality, low-protein diet that avoids wheat. Also recommended is allowing the dog to urinate frequently to avoid stressing the kidneys.

The US National Club has recently begun an Open Registry for genetic diseases. The Registry is administered by Dr. Meryl Littman of the University of Pennsylvania and is co-sponsored by the Canadian National Club. The purpose of the registry is to collect health and genetic information on Wheatens affected by genetic diseases, particularly PLE, PLN, and RD.

Research related to these diseases is being carried out by Dr. Shelly Vaden at North Carolina State University, Dr. Theresa Fossum at Texas A&M University, and Dr. Brian Wilcock at University of Guelph as well as Dr. Littman. Please do not contact these doctors directly: have your vet contact them with any questions

Dr. Vaden’s team at NCSU now has a web page that describes their efforts with Wheatens. A good summary of the protein-losing diseases for non-medically oriented people is found at Dana Sumner’s site.

The AKC Canine Health Foundation has recently funded a research project submitted by Dr. Vaden to study the mode of inheritance of PLE/PLN in Wheatens. This grant is a matching fund grant so the SCWTCA is looking for contributions. The grant plus matching contributions will provide almost $100,000 for Dr. Vaden’s research The major fundraising event for the AKC – Canine Health Foundation Grant will be launched during Montgomery weekend, the site of the US National Specialty (October 3-6, 1996), and will be a silent auction of the donated item. In addition, there will be special gifts for contributions of a certain size.

If anyone wishes to contribute now and not wait for Montgomery the SCWTCA certainly will not complain. Checks should be made out to AKC/CHF and one should note on the check memo “For Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Research Fund”. Checks are to be sent to Rosemary Berg, 37953 Center Ridge Rd., No. Ridgeville, OH 44039.

(Rosemary is SCWTCA Treasurer) She will log all contributions and forward them to the Canine Health Foundation (this way we will be able to keep track of things). It should be noted that all contributions will be TAX DEDUCTABLE (at least in the USA, I’m not sure it would be so outside the US).

Prospective buyers should talk to the breeder about whether PLE or PLN have shown up in their line. A reputable breeder who truly cares about the breed will honestly answer their questions.

For more information contact the breed’s parent club in your country or this FAQ’s author.