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The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is a breed of dog originating in Ireland. There are four coat varieties: Traditional Irish, Heavy Irish, English, and American. They are considered to be hypoallergenic, a trait popular with allergic or asthmatic dog owners. These dogs have hair instead of fur.
History
The Wheaten was originally bred in Ireland to be an all-purpose farm dog whose duties would have included herding, watching and guarding livestock, and vermin hunting. This is probably why they are not as aggressive as other terriers, who were primarily vermin hunters. They are believed to be related to the Kerry Blue Terrier. Today Wheaten terriers also compete in obedience, agility, and tracking, and many are used in animal-assisted therapy as well.
Despite its long history, the Wheaten wasn’t recognized as a breed in Ireland by the Irish Kennel Club until 1937. In 1943 the British Kennel Club recognized the breed as well. The first Wheatens were exported to the United States in 1946 but serious interest in the breed took years to develop. Lydia Vogel was one of the first breeders of the Wheaten Terrier in the United States. Finally, in 1973, they were recognized by the American Kennel Club. The first Wheatens imported into Australia occurred in the 70's by Anubis Kennels. Since then many more have been imported. Recent importation of Irish style dogs have improved and broadened the gene pool.
Appearance
Puppies have a dark coat of either red, brown, mahogany or white. The muzzle and ears of Wheaten puppies may be black or dark brown. The dark puppy coat gradually grows out to nearly white before maturing into a wheaten-colored coat as they get older. The color can range from wheat to white, but white coats are not considered desirable by breeders and show enthusiasts. The adult coat may contain black, white, or darker brown "guard" hairs in addition to the lighter wheaten-coloured hair. If adults ever have skin injuries the resulting hair growth with be the dark color of their puppy coat before it eventually grows out to the wheat color.
The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium-sized dog, which ranges on average anywhere from 17 to 19 inches and weighs about 30 to 45 pounds. The breed has a square structure and is well built. Its hair does not shed like most dogs; like human hair and Poodle hair, it keeps growing, needs regular trimming, and drops just a few hairs daily.
The Irish coat tends to be thinner and silkier than the American variety.
Health
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are generally a long lived breed but, as with all other dogs, they can develop health problems. The two most known in the wheaten are protein losing nephropathy (PLN) and protein losing enteropathy (PLE). PLN is where the dog loses protein from the kidneys; PLE is where the dog loses protein from the intestine. These conditions are eventually fatal. Early detection is key and wheaten owners are recommended to test their dogs at least yearly with the available veterinary tests in their own country (note that not all tests are available in all countries). Neither condition has a known mode of inheritance though there are various research programs, mainly in the United States and the United Kingdom (see health websites for further details). Other wheaten health issues are renal dysplasia, inflammatory bowel disease, Addison's disease and cancer. Wheatens can also suffer from food and environmental allergies.
Temperament
The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is an energetic and playful dog. They require patience and consistent positive training. Harsh methods will often result in fear aggression. A positive, even-handed approach works best with these intelligent yet headstrong terriers. They are enthusiastic greeters and will often jump up in order to lick a person's face, commonly referred to as the "Wheaten greetin”. These dogs do best when they are exercised regularly. These dogs are very protective of their families. Wheaten Terriers need much attention, and need to be close to humans.
Cross breeds
Wheatens are unofficially crossbred with Standard Poodles, to create the mixed breed known as the Whoodle, and with Beagles to create those known as "Wheagles". They are also a fairly popular cross with a sighthound such as a greyhound, for the purpose of breeding lurchers.
History
The Wheaten was originally bred in Ireland to be an all-purpose farm dog whose duties would have included herding, watching and guarding livestock, and vermin hunting. This is probably why they are not as aggressive as other terriers, who were primarily vermin hunters. They are believed to be related to the Kerry Blue Terrier. Today Wheaten terriers also compete in obedience, agility, and tracking, and many are used in animal-assisted therapy as well.
Despite its long history, the Wheaten wasn’t recognized as a breed in Ireland by the Irish Kennel Club until 1937. In 1943 the British Kennel Club recognized the breed as well. The first Wheatens were exported to the United States in 1946 but serious interest in the breed took years to develop. Lydia Vogel was one of the first breeders of the Wheaten Terrier in the United States. Finally, in 1973, they were recognized by the American Kennel Club. The first Wheatens imported into Australia occurred in the 70's by Anubis Kennels. Since then many more have been imported. Recent importation of Irish style dogs have improved and broadened the gene pool.
Appearance
Puppies have a dark coat of either red, brown, mahogany or white. The muzzle and ears of Wheaten puppies may be black or dark brown. The dark puppy coat gradually grows out to nearly white before maturing into a wheaten-colored coat as they get older. The color can range from wheat to white, but white coats are not considered desirable by breeders and show enthusiasts. The adult coat may contain black, white, or darker brown "guard" hairs in addition to the lighter wheaten-coloured hair. If adults ever have skin injuries the resulting hair growth with be the dark color of their puppy coat before it eventually grows out to the wheat color.
The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium-sized dog, which ranges on average anywhere from 17 to 19 inches and weighs about 30 to 45 pounds. The breed has a square structure and is well built. Its hair does not shed like most dogs; like human hair and Poodle hair, it keeps growing, needs regular trimming, and drops just a few hairs daily.
The Irish coat tends to be thinner and silkier than the American variety.
Health
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are generally a long lived breed but, as with all other dogs, they can develop health problems. The two most known in the wheaten are protein losing nephropathy (PLN) and protein losing enteropathy (PLE). PLN is where the dog loses protein from the kidneys; PLE is where the dog loses protein from the intestine. These conditions are eventually fatal. Early detection is key and wheaten owners are recommended to test their dogs at least yearly with the available veterinary tests in their own country (note that not all tests are available in all countries). Neither condition has a known mode of inheritance though there are various research programs, mainly in the United States and the United Kingdom (see health websites for further details). Other wheaten health issues are renal dysplasia, inflammatory bowel disease, Addison's disease and cancer. Wheatens can also suffer from food and environmental allergies.
Temperament
The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is an energetic and playful dog. They require patience and consistent positive training. Harsh methods will often result in fear aggression. A positive, even-handed approach works best with these intelligent yet headstrong terriers. They are enthusiastic greeters and will often jump up in order to lick a person's face, commonly referred to as the "Wheaten greetin”. These dogs do best when they are exercised regularly. These dogs are very protective of their families. Wheaten Terriers need much attention, and need to be close to humans.
Cross breeds
Wheatens are unofficially crossbred with Standard Poodles, to create the mixed breed known as the Whoodle, and with Beagles to create those known as "Wheagles". They are also a fairly popular cross with a sighthound such as a greyhound, for the purpose of breeding lurchers.
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