Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Breed Profile
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is an old breed, which goes back to over 200 years. It is one of the terriers of Ireland and it is believed to share common ancestors with the Kerry Blue and Irish Terriers. As with many terriers, it was a dog of the common, working people and had to sing for its supper. It was used to hunt otters and badgers and protect its tribe against intruders
Temperament
The Soft coated Wheaten Terrier brims with energy and loves to play. Owners should be informed that patience is required for training and consistent positive training is advisable. Harsh methods will often induce fear and/or aggression. It is an enthusiastic greeter, and will often jump up to lick a person’s face, commonly referred to as the “Wheaten greetin”. Wheatens are considered less untidy than other terriers, but they can be hyper and more active than many other breeds.
Color & Coat
Coat: Its abundant, soft, single coat distinguishes it from all other terriers. It is long and silky with a gentle wave.
Color: Puppies have dark coats of red, brown, mahogany or white. The reddish-brown puppy coat gradually grows out to nearly white before maturing into a wheaten-coloured coat as they get older. The adult coat may contain black, white, or darker brown
Health
Soft coated Wheaten Terriers typically enjoy a long life expectancy. They are susceptible to various fatal heritable disease. These include protein-losing nephropathy (PLN), where the dogs lose protein via the kidneys, and protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), where the dogs fail to fully absorb protein in their digestive tracts, causing it to pass in their stool. If detected early, these diseases can sometimes be managed with strict dietary changes and pharmaceuticals.