Breed guide
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
A source-linked starting point for Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, an exuberant Irish farm dog, is happy, friendly, deeply devoted, and just stubborn enough to remind you he's a terrier. Use this as context for the individual dog's routine, not as a prediction of behaviour or health.
About this breed
How to use this Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier profile
For Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, the verified profile records Height, Weight, Life expectancy. These references explain what to observe and what to adjust in daily life; they do not establish a guaranteed behaviour rate, diagnosis, or outcome for an individual dog.
How to recognize the breed
Use the whole outline, coat, proportions, and movement together. A single photo or colour is not enough to establish breed identity.
18-19 inches (male), 17-18 inches (female)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > height35-40 pounds (male), 30-35 pounds (female)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > weight12-14 years
AKC page PageMap DataObject > life_expectancyThe Wheaten's soft, silky coat requires a fair amount of maintenance. The daily grooming session starts with a thorough going-over with a pin brush or a slicker brush to remove dirt and loose hair. Next comes a thorough combing with a medium- and fine-toothed metal comb. Any mats that are found should be pulled apart with the brush, comb, and fingers'never…
AKC page Grooming > official section copyBody condition and trend
Height and weight references are already shown above; they are context, not a personal target. Use the BCS tool and the individual dog's ribs, waist, abdominal tuck, age, and trend.
Daily life priorities
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier has a medium to high energy level that does not diminish, even in old age. They need plenty of exercise every day. With a strong prey drive, Wheatens will have an urge to chase after just about anything that moves, from squirrels to cars, so the backyard or other play area must be securely fenced, and walks must always be on…
AKC page Exercise > official section copyEarly socialization and puppy training classes are recommended for all dogs to help to ensure that the they grow into well-adjusted, well-mannered companions. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is keenly smart and willful, and often has his own agenda. This makes them challenging to train. It also provides another reason why obedience training should start…
AKC page Training > official section copyThe Wheaten's soft, silky coat requires a fair amount of maintenance. The daily grooming session starts with a thorough going-over with a pin brush or a slicker brush to remove dirt and loose hair. Next comes a thorough combing with a medium- and fine-toothed metal comb. Any mats that are found should be pulled apart with the brush, comb, and fingers'never…
AKC page Grooming > official section copyAdjust difficulty, duration, and handling for the individual dog. The linked long-tail pages turn these profile facts into practical routines.
Health checks and when to call the vet
If you are choosing a puppy or checking a breeding record, ask for the named test, result, date, and scheme. These checks help assess breeding risk; they are not a diagnosis of an individual dog.
Questions owners ask about Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Verified facts
| Height | 18-19 inches (male), 17-18 inches (female) AKC page PageMap DataObject > height |
|---|---|
| Weight | 35-40 pounds (male), 30-35 pounds (female) AKC page PageMap DataObject > weight |
| Life expectancy | 12-14 years AKC page PageMap DataObject > life_expectancy |
| Grooming | The Wheaten's soft, silky coat requires a fair amount of maintenance. The daily grooming session starts with a thorough going-over with a pin brush or a slicker brush to remove dirt and loose hair. Next comes a thorough combing with a medium- and fine-toothed metal comb. Any mats that are found should be pulled apart with the brush, comb, and fingers'never… AKC page Grooming > official section copy |
| Exercise | The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier has a medium to high energy level that does not diminish, even in old age. They need plenty of exercise every day. With a strong prey drive, Wheatens will have an urge to chase after just about anything that moves, from squirrels to cars, so the backyard or other play area must be securely fenced, and walks must always be on… AKC page Exercise > official section copy |
| Training | Early socialization and puppy training classes are recommended for all dogs to help to ensure that the they grow into well-adjusted, well-mannered companions. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is keenly smart and willful, and often has his own agenda. This makes them challenging to train. It also provides another reason why obedience training should start… AKC page Training > official section copy |
| Official breed description | The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, an exuberant Irish farm dog, is happy, friendly, deeply devoted, and just stubborn enough to remind you he's a terrier. The unique wheaten coat is low-shedding but needs diligent care to avoid matting. AKC page About the Breed > official breed description |
| Recommended parent-club health tests | ['Hip Evaluation', 'Ophthalmologist Evaluation', 'Protein Losing Nephropathy - Variant 1 (PLN) - DNA Test', 'Complete Blood Count (CBC)', 'Urinalysis', 'UPC/Micro Albumin (MA) Test', 'Serum Chemical Screen'] AKC page Health > Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club |
| Official breed standard | http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/SoftCoatedWheatenTerrier.pdf AKC page The Breed Standard > View Full Breed Standard |
How to use this profile
Use the facts on this page as a starting point, then observe the individual dog. A breed label does not establish behaviour frequency, diagnosis, or a guaranteed outcome. Medical and screening claims remain subject to review.
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