Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Dog Breed Information

The Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a happy, smart, and good-natured dog with a less hot-tempered disposition than other terrier breeds. The sporty and robust Irishman needs a lot of activity and exercise and a loving, consistent upbringing. Then it is also suitable for people who are inexperienced with dogs.

Origin and history

The Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is believed to be the oldest of the Irish terrier breeds. Written mention of soft-coated terriers dates back to the early 19th century. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier was often kept by simple farmers who used the versatile and hardy dog ​​as a pied piper, drover, guard dog, and for fox and badger hunting. Despite its long history, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier was not recognized by the Irish Kennel Club until 1937. Since then, the breed has steadily increased in popularity and is now also widespread outside of its homeland.

Appearance

The Irish Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium-sized, well-proportioned, athletic dog of the roughly square build. It is distinguished from other Irish Terriers by its soft, silky, wavy coat that is about 12 cm long when untrimmed and forms a distinct beard on the muzzle. It is solid wheaten in every shade from pale wheat to reddish gold in color. Puppies are often born with a reddish or grayish coat, or with dark markings, and develop their final coat color within the first two years of life.

The eyes and nose of the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are dark or black. The ears are small to medium in size and fall forward. The tail is of medium length and is carried happily upwards.

Nature

The breed standard describes the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier as spirited and determined, good-natured, very intelligent, and extremely devoted and devoted to its owner. He is a reliable guard, ready to defend in an emergency, but not aggressive on his own.

The Soft Coated Wheaten is a happy, playful high-spirited dog that learns quickly and with pleasure. Raised with loving consistency, he also makes a novice dog happy. To do this, however, he needs a lot of variety, occupation, and exercise. Constantly repeating, monotonous commands quickly bore the bright guy. If the fun factor is not neglected during training, then you can also motivate the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier for dog sports activities. In any case, the fun-loving companion is not suitable for lazy people or couch potatoes. With a corresponding utilization, however, it can also be kept well in a city apartment.

Compared to other terrier breeds, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is generally considered to be a bit more docile and easy to get along with other dogs. They are late developers by nature and just don’t want to grow up.

Cleanliness fanatics will have little joy with the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier because the long coat brings a lot of dirt into the house. The Soft Coated Wheaten does not have an undercoat and therefore does not shed, but the coat requires a lot of care. It needs a good brushing at least once or twice a week to keep it from matting.