Fun Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Facts For Kids

Joan Agie
Nov 30, 2022 By Joan Agie
Originally Published on Aug 06, 2021
Edited by Jacob Fitzbright
Fact-checked by Sonali Rawat
Soft-coated wheaten terrier facts, such as they are very active, are interesting.
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Age: 3-18
Read time: 9.3 Min

The soft coated wheaten terrier is a dog breed that originated in Ireland. It is a mixed breed of Kerry Blue and Irish Terrier.

Even though most of its origins are unknown, the wheaten terrier was recognized as a breed by the Irish Kennel Club in 1937. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the breed in 1973.

The soft coated wheaten terriers are typically coined as working dogs as they were originally used by farmers to help out in the farms and guard the property.

The wheaten terriers are medium-sized dogs that have a very silky soft overcoat of fur. The shade of wheaten single coat ranges from a mixture of black, red, grey, blue, red, golden, and such.

The coated wheaten terriers have a high level of functionality in group-like environments but also have the ability to function individualistically. They have minimal health issues.

Wheatens need an optimal level of energy stimulation and have very low grooming needs. Wheaten terrier benefits include getting rid of vermin, help to do work, as they are working dogs. They have a rather faithful temperament and lively personality.

Wheaten terriers are the perfect blend of inquisitive and good-natured dogs, with a small hint of being self-willed. They are found in dog rescue centers as people get them without a proper understanding of how to grow them in a healthy environment.

You'll find in this article information regarding soft-coated wheaten terrier fur, puppy wheaten's health, medium weight of Wheaten terrier, Irish Wheaten terrier, and so on.

If you want to know more fascinating facts, then keep reading this article. Please go and check our articles on Schipperke facts and Newfoundland dog facts.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a soft-coated wheaten terrier?

A wheaten terrier is a soft-coated dog breed from the terrier dog breed. It is a farm dog in essence. And being an alleged breed of the Kerry blue and Irish terriers possesses, the characteristics of both. Wheaten terrier is a highly energetic and active dog.

It plays various types of dog sports. It is a medium-sized dog. It is a reactive and engaging dog. They are usually in shades of black, blue, grey, red, or golden.

What class of animals does a soft-coated wheaten terrier belong to?

A coated wheaten terrier belongs to the class of Mammalia.

How many soft-coated wheaten terriers are there in the world?

A mixed estimate of the Irish Kennel Club, The American Kennel Club (AKC), the Coated Wheaten Terrier Club, and the Terrier club of America states the amount. There are about 78, 451 dogs in the soft coated wheaten terrier database.

Where does a soft-coated wheaten terrier live?

Being a farm dog, a soft coated wheaten terrier lives mostly at homes and farms. It can survive well in grasslands and low-temperature climates. They lead a healthy life in these habitats.

What is a soft-coated wheaten terrier’s habitat?

Being Irish in origin, wheaten terriers can live in cold atmospheres without damp weather. Therefore, their natural habitats are farmlands and cold regions.

Who do soft-coated wheaten terriers live with?

Wheatens can live with humans as they have a natural protecting and guarding instinct. They can eat smaller animals like squirrels so it is advised to have only one of them at your house at a time.

From the group of herding and being sports dogs, they can easily be familiar with similar breeds of dogs. Coated wheaten terriers are also comfortable around children and are family-friendly.

How long does a soft-coated wheaten terrier live?

The average life span of a wheaten terrier is 14 years.

How do they reproduce?

As most dogs do, the terrier soft coated wheaten terrier reproduces by mating with a dog of another sex. The female and male dogs produce offspring by the natural process of reproduction also termed as mating. The offspring is conceived in and delivered by the female dog.

What is their conservation status?

The current conservation status of coated wheaten terrier dogs is of Least Concern.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Fun Facts

What do soft-coated wheaten terriers look like?

Wheaten Terrier Dog

A coated wheaten terrier dog is a dog with a layer of soft coat on it, mainly available in combinations of black, grey, red, blue, and golden.

How cute are they?

Being dogs with a soft silky single coat of fur, the wheaten terrier dog breed are rated higher on the scale of cuteness. The wheaten terrier puppies are especially endearing and cute. They are cuddly in nature adding to their cuteness.

How do they communicate?

Soft-coated wheaten terriers are termed easy communicators due to their friendly nature. Wheatens can communicate through the means of barks and express their happiness by licking and wagging their tail. Sometimes, their warning barks can also not be inferred as such, because of their general good-natured barks.

How big is a soft-coated wheaten terrier?

A soft-coated wheaten terrier is a medium-sized dog breed. An average female coated wheaten terrier is about twice the size of a puppy Pomeranian. An average male soft-coated wheaten terrier is slightly bigger. Their combined average is estimated to be 17-20 in (34–40 cm) tall.

How fast can a soft-coated wheaten terrier run?

A wheaten terrier is an active dog with plenty needs of exercise. It can be comparatively fast when compared to dogs like Chihuahua but modestly slow when compared to dogs like huskies and German shepherds. The speed of this dog is slower than the greyhound.

How much does a soft-coated wheaten terrier weigh?

The weight of a terrier soft coated wheaten is about 30-40 lb (14–18kg) on average. The weight of a male soft coated wheaten terrier is about 35-45 lb (16 – 20 kg) on average. They are heavier than a miniature golden retriever.

What are the male and female names of the species?

In general, a female is called a bitch and a male is called a dog.

What would you call a baby soft coated wheaten terrier?

A baby soft coated wheaten terrier is called a puppy.

What do they eat?

Theey are omnivorous in nature. They search for small furry animals to prey on but can also eat vegetarian things like corn. They are low maintenance when it comes to fancy dog food.

Are they slobbery?

The soft coated wheaten terrier score very low on being slobbery. They drool very less. The puppy terrier soft coated wheaten drools more than the adult.

Would they make a good pet?

Soft-coated wheaten terriers are owner-friendly dogs. Wheaten terriers have an average life span of about 14 years giving enough time for everyone to be well acquainted and have great memories.

Wheatens are intelligent dogs, giving owners plenty of scope to try out different games and learning methodologies. Training them can be an easy task. They tend to be curious and you often find them in the backyard in search of something.

They have quite an affectionate temperament and just about the right spirited personality to make an amazing pet. Silky soft in nature, wheatens are extremely cuddly pets.

The wheaten terrier puppies are quick to adapt with surroundings. Their grooming needs are minimal and they don’t shed much.

They do need to be brushed at least three times a week. The puppy needs basic grooming such as clipping their nails, brushing their teeth, and such. As they have silky single-coated fur, brushing their hair and tending to their hair grooming needs can be a little dicey depending on their mood.

Wheaten terriers are jolly and easy-going. Health-wise, wheaten terriers mostly suffer minimal problems of protein insufficiency which can be compensated for and taken care of, at an early age.

Their energy level is generally high and they tend to love the outdoors because they enjoy exercise.

Owners find it easy to tend to their needs as they have a tendency to adjust. To top it all, they have the benefits of being a dog breed of Kerry Blue and Irish Terrier so you get to experience qualities of both types of breeds.

Did you know…..

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has ranked Wheaten terriers as 53 out of one 57 in popularity. The word ‘wheaten’ in its name stands for its usually found color, which looks like ripening wheat.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers have long eyebrows. Wheaten terriers usually dislike rains and they wilt in the heat, so cold temperatures are much-recommended environments for them. Soft-coated wheaten terriers are less territorial and low on aggression as compared to other terrier dog breeds.

Originally, soft coated wheaten terriers were bred by farmers in Ireland, who could not afford groups of hounds or spaniels. The wheaten terriers were hence known as ‘poor man’s wolfhound’.

Even now, they are referred to as a ‘poor man’s dog’.

These dogs, along with the Cairn terrier, happens to be hypoallergenic.

Lydia Vogel, a young female in Massachusetts, brought the first soft coated wheaten terrier in the United States. A soft coated wheaten terrier named Krista was a champion in a diving dog championship in dog sports, she ranked first and third in the championship in different categories.

Although not discovered till the mid of the twentieth century, wheaten terriers were found in Victorian Art made in 1843.

Wheaten terriers are comparatively healthy dogs with few complaints but they can still suffer from health problems like Addison's disease, renal dysplasia, protein-losing nephropathy. Addison’s disease is characterized by insufficient production of adrenal hormones.

This makes the puppy’s or dog’s energy level to be low and they tend to vomit frequently. Renal Dysplasia includes atypical development of the kidney which could amount to early renal failure. The symptoms of which are frequent urination, more than usual water consumption, and such.

Protein-losing nephropathy includes excessive loss of plasma and protein through the kidney. This results in weight loss, low appetite, labored breathing, and such.

Are soft-coated wheaten terriers easy to train?

Wheaten Terriers are highly intelligent dogs. They are almost easy to train but tend to be a little stubborn sometimes. They are a hard-working breed by nature and thus, possess the qualities of obedience. They are ready to help out the owners as and when possible.

Wheaten terrier dog breed, is an extremely agile one. They are prone to exercise so outdoor games training can be done with ease. Health issues with the wheatens are rarely a hindrance to train them.

They are the best kind of dogs to have in a family as they can also be trained to give good company to children. Because they tend to be a bit stubborn sometimes persistence and a steady attitude are essential for the owners during the training, usually advised for an adult.

The dogs and puppies usually learn best through the means of positive reinforcement. An adult wheaten terrier can develop thoughts of its own and thus, becomes a little resistant to change.

Positive reinforcements can include toys, food, and praise. Puppies learn quickly to know what they are named and respond accordingly.

They can be trained to adjust in accordance with the temperatures. As they are found in rescue operations, the dogs can be a little hesitant and vulnerable to adapt at first, but they have a swift grasping ability.

Do wheaten terriers bark a lot?

The wheaten terriers have a free-spirited personality and a wholesome and jolly temperament. They are well acquainted to homely environments.

Unlike the size of wheatens, which is minuscule as compared to bigger dogs like huskies and Dobermans, its bark is substantially loud. A soft-coated wheaten terrier puppy barks more than an adult as they are in the initial phase of learning and communication.

They have not yet mastered the art of expressions. On average, wheaten terriers bark in a moderate amount, that is six, on a scale of one to ten.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including Welsh terrier facts and Pyrenean shepherd facts.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Soft-coated wheaten Terrier coloring pages.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Facts

What Did They Prey On?

High-quality dog food

What Type of Animal were they?

Omnivore

Average Litter Size?

5

How Much Did They Weigh?

30-40 lb (14–18kg)

What habitat Do they Live In?

grass plains and tundra

Where Do They Live?

Ireland

How Long Were They?

60-90 cm (24-34 in)

How Tall Were They?

17-20 in (34–40 cm)

Class

Mammal

Genus

Canis

Family

Canidae

Scientific Name

Canis Lupus Familiaris

What Do They Look Like?

Red, white, golden, black mixed together

Skin Type

Fur

What Are Their Main Threats?

n/a

What is their Conservation Status?

Least Concern
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Written by Joan Agie

Bachelor of Science specializing in Human Anatomy

Joan Agie picture

Joan AgieBachelor of Science specializing in Human Anatomy

With 3+ years of research and content writing experience across several niches, especially on education, technology, and business topics. Joan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Anatomy from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, and has worked as a researcher and writer for organizations across Nigeria, the US, the UK, and Germany. Joan enjoys meditation, watching movies, and learning new languages in her free time.

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Fact-checked by Sonali Rawat

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature, Masters of Art specializing in English and Communication Skills

Sonali Rawat picture

Sonali RawatBachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature, Masters of Art specializing in English and Communication Skills

Sonali has a Bachelor's degree in English literature from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and is currently pursuing a Master's in English and Communication from Christ University. With considerable experience in writing about lifestyle topics, including travel and health, she has a passion for Japanese culture, especially fashion, and anime, and has written on the subject before. Sonali has event managed a creative-writing festival and coordinated a student magazine at her university. Her favorite authors are Toni Morrison and Anita Desai.

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