Description
A medium-sized, compact, upright terrier with a soft, natural coat that is wheaten in colour and falls in loose curls or waves. An energetic, short-coupled dog that is well-built and muscular; its structure and movement are both well-balanced and devoid of any exaggeration.
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, an exuberant Irish farm dog, is joyful, amiable, intensely loyal, and just a little bit rebellious to remind you that he is a terrier. The distinctive wheaten coat sheds very little but requires careful maintenance to prevent matting.
History/Origin
Around 200 years ago, the soft-coated wheaten terrier was developed in Ireland. It shares a common ancestry with Irish and Kerry blue terriers. Additionally, all three terriers were bred to be versatile farm dogs.
They had the ability to kill pests, guard property, and herd livestock. Additionally, they became wonderful companions for their families. Wheatens of today still possess a strong hunting drive and a tendency to be possessive of their family and property.
Temperament
The Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier is a playful and active canine. It calls for endurance and persistent, constructive exercise. Harsh tactics frequently cause fear and/or violence. With this sharp-witted yet headstrong terrier, a positive, impartial attitude is recommended. It is a cheerful greeter known as the “Wheaten greetin” and will frequently leap up to lick a person’s face. Wheatens are vivacious and can be more active than many other breeds, yet they are thought to be less scruffy than other terriers. This is why these dogs benefit most from frequent exercise.
Care as a Pet
Soft-coated wheaten terriers require a lot of daily exercise and typically retain their energy well into old life. They do need a lot of maintenance for their coat. Additionally, they require early and regular socialization and training.
When outside, keep wheatens in a safe enclosure or on a leash. They may feel the urge to chase moving objects, such as cars and small animals, due to both their herding instinct and their prey drive. Additionally, they could not pick up when you phone them again.
Grooming
The wheaten’s coat needs to be brushed every day because it rapidly mats. To get rid of any debris or loose hair, use a pin or slicker brush. To ensure that all the tangles are removed, use a comb after that.
Depending on how dirty your dog gets, plan on giving him a bath at least once every month. And every four to six weeks, trim the coat, giving special attention to the beard and the hair around the eyes to maintain them clean. Every month, check your dog’s nails to see if they need to be trimmed. And endeavour to regularly brush its teeth.
Training
Although intelligent, Wheatens can also be obstinate and strong-willed. To avoid the formation of undesirable habits, try to begin training and socialization with your dog while he or she is a puppy. Always employ positive reinforcement strategies, and make training sessions enjoyable. When giving commands, be constant and forceful. But refrain from giving strong reprimands because they could make this delicate breed shut down and stop trying to learn.
In addition, early good interactions with unfamiliar people and dogs can make the wheaten more at ease among strangers. Classes for puppy obedience are a great way to teach both fundamental commands and polite behavior.
Diet and Nutrition
Your dog should always have access to fresh water. And feed a high-quality, nutritionally balanced dog food. Two measured meals per day are customary. To be sure you’re addressing your dog’s specific needs, talk to your veterinarian about the sort and amount of food you should be feeding him. To avoid your dog becoming overweight, be careful not to overfeed treats and other excess food.
Table
