Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
The happy camper of the terrier world.
- Weight
- 30–40 lbs
- Height
- 17–19 in
- Lifespan
- 12–14 yrs
In short
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is an Irish farm terrier bred to herd, guard and hunt vermin, weighing 30–40 lbs and living 12–14 years. Its silky single coat sheds little but needs daily brushing, and yearly kidney and gut screening is wise.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a cheerful, people-loving terrier
- don't mind daily brushing
- want a medium dog that adapts to city life
Think twice if you…
- want a wash-and-go coat
- need a dog that greets calmly without training
- can't budget for yearly screening and grooming
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Training
- 2–3 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 80–100 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityWilling learner7.5/10
EnergyActive7.5/10
Calm at homeCalm indoors8.5/10
SheddingLight shedder3.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Silky, wavy single coat
Low-shedding but mats fast, so brush daily and trim every 6–8 weeks.
-
02
Wheaten greetin'
Known for jumping up to greet faces, so teach polite greetings early.
-
03
Color changes with age
Puppies are born darker and lighten to wheaten by about age 2.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 35–40 lbs | 30–35 lbs |
| Height | 18–19 in | 17–18 in |
| Lifespan | 12–14 yrs | |
| Coat | Soft, silky, wavy single coat | |
Personality
Wheatens are cheerful, bouncy and people-focused, and they stay playful for life. They have a terrier streak but are less quarrelsome than most terriers.
With kids
Usually great with kids and sturdy enough to play, though jumping can knock over toddlers.
With other pets
Generally good with other dogs; small pets may trigger chasing.
With strangers
Friendly and enthusiastic with strangers; poor guard dogs.
Alone time
Prefer company and can bark or chew when bored. Build up alone time gradually.
Training
Wheatens are smart and willing but have a terrier's independence and a short attention span. Short, upbeat sessions and lots of praise work best.
-
How often
2–3 sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each, ending while the dog still wants more.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Between 8–16 weeks, prioritize grooming handling and calm greetings with many people so jumping doesn't become the habit.
-
Self-control
Four on the floor at greetings and recall matter most. Reward sits for attention and practice recall on a long line.
-
What it works for
Food, play and praise all work. Use small, high-value pieces within 10% of daily calories, and use a quick game as a jackpot.
Exercise
Wheatens need brisk walks and active play daily. They enjoy dog sports and are happiest when exercise includes their people.
Exercise a day
60–90 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Brisk walks or jogs
- Agility
- Fetch in a fenced yard
Brain work
- Barn hunt or earthdog
- Trick training
- Food puzzles and scent games
Best home
Adapts to apartments with daily exercise; a fenced yard helps.
Watch for Terrier prey drive makes off-leash walks risky near roads and wildlife.
Feeding
Adult maintenance for a typical Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (30–40 lbs) lands around 800–975 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Puppy (to 12 mo)
- Daily calories
- 1,000–1,225 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 16–20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 100–125 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 5–6 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 800–975 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 14–18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 80–100 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 4–5 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 1,100–1,350 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 18–22%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 110–135 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 6–7 pieces a day
Senior
- Daily calories
- 700–850 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 12–16%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 70–85 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- about 4 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 12 mo) | 1,000–1,225 kcal | 26–30% | 16–20% | 100–125 kcal | 5–6 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 800–975 kcal | 24–28% | 14–18% | 80–100 kcal | 4–5 pieces |
| Active / Working | 1,100–1,350 kcal | 26–30% | 18–22% | 110–135 kcal | 6–7 pieces |
| Senior | 700–850 kcal | 24–28% | 12–16% | 70–85 kcal | about 4 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
Protein-losing kidney and gut diseases (PLN and PLE) are the breed's main concern. Yearly blood and urine screening catches them early.
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) | PLN-associated variant DNA test | Once; ask the breeder for the parents' results |
| Protein-losing kidney and gut disease | Blood chemistry and urine protein (UPC) test | Yearly from young adulthood |
| Hip dysplasia | OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| Inherited eye disease | Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER) | Yearly in breeding dogs |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Hip evaluation
- Protein Losing Nephropathy (PLN)
Grooming Low, but mats without daily brushing
Brush and comb to the skin daily or every other day. Professional trim every 6–8 weeks, bathe every 2–4 weeks, trim nails every 2–3 weeks, pluck or check ears weekly and brush teeth several times a week.
History
1700s–1800s
Irish farm dog
Wheatens worked on Irish farms herding livestock, guarding and catching vermin.
1937
Irish recognition
The Irish Kennel Club recognized the breed on St. Patrick's Day in 1937.
1973
AKC recognition
The AKC recognized the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier in 1973.
Questions owners ask
Are Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers easy to train?
Moderately. They are smart and eager but independent, with a short attention span, so keep sessions short and fun. Polite greetings take extra work.
Are Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers good with kids and other pets?
Usually, yes. They are playful and sturdy with kids and generally fine with other dogs, but they jump up and may chase small pets.
How much exercise does a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier need?
About 60–90 minutes a day of brisk walks and active play.
Do Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers shed?
Very little, but they need daily brushing and a trim every 6–8 weeks. No dog is truly allergen-free, so allergy sufferers should spend time with one first.
What health problems do Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers have, and how long do they live?
They typically live 12–14 years. Protein-losing kidney and gut diseases are the main concerns, along with Addison's disease and hip dysplasia, so ask for PLN DNA results and screen blood and urine yearly.
Is a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier good for apartments or first-time owners?
Yes, often. They adapt to apartments with daily exercise, and they suit first-timers who can keep up with grooming and training.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier needs only 4–5 pieces a day, well inside the 80–100 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
