Information, Facts & Origins of the
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Dog Breed
The Soft
Coated Wheaten Terrier
originates from Ireland and was bred originally for hunting rats
and mice.
It's origins can be dated back to the 1700's.
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is so named for its distinctive
shade of wheaten (the colour of ripe wheat). Its nickname is the
"Teddy Bear" due to its soft and cuddly appearance.
This dog is classified as one of the
Terrier Dog Group which we
go on to describe in detail in the section at the bottom of this
page. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier was first Registered by the AKC (American Kennel Club) in
1973. Name Facts and Dog Names: This dog's name is sometimes mis-spelt as
Wheatan terrior.
Description
of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Dog and Puppies - Coat and Colours information
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier's coat is normally a shade of wheaten
(the colour of ripe wheat) white and red.
The coat is normally
soft and silky.
Description
of the Wheaten Terrier Dog and Puppies Character & Temperament
The
Terrier dogs are small to medium size and are often described as
fiery or feisty. The smallest terriers are ready to take on any
opponents - a necessary attribute when hunting and killing vermin
but not so good for a family pet! Some terriers are yappy and are
known to nip boisterous children. They can also be quite independent and difficult to train.
On the positive side Terriers can be friendly, stable and loyal pets.
Dog
Health information - potential health problems of the Soft Coated
Wheaten Terrier Dog Breed
All owners of dogs and puppies
are concerned about the health care of their pets and just as with
humans dog health issues arise from time to time. Resolving dog
health problems, including those of the Soft Coated Wheaten
Terrier, can prove to be
costly and it would be wise to consider the benefits of obtaining
dog health insurance. Diseases in dogs may occur because of
trauma, infection, immune system abnormalities, genetic factors,
or degenerative conditions. Common health problems and questions
occur in relation to the Bones, Joints, Muscles, Nerves, Ears,
Eyes, Teeth and the Mouth. Other, more serious, issues can relate
to the Digestive System, Heart & Respiratory Systems, Immune &
Blood Systems, Reproduction and Urinary Systems. Potential health
problems of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier can include:
Hip Dysplasia
(abnormal development of hip joints referred to as CHD - Canine
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia)
Skin allergies
Online
Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems Please click the following link for additional
information which we have provided via our:
This describes the most common canine health problems concisely but simply without using medical jargon. A section on Dog and Puppy Vaccinations is also included offering information on each of the diseases, symptoms and effects for which immunization vaccines are available. Not sure of the name of the dog or puppy illness? A Dog Symptom Sorter is also featured. The Online Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems should only be used as an informational guide and when and if any dog or puppies health problems occur it is essential to raise any questions you may have with a Dog Health care professional.
Information
on Grooming and Care of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Dog Breed
The Soft
Coated Wheaten Terrier
requires weekly care and grooming. All dog breeds require a certain amount of grooming
and care is necessary to keep dogs and puppies looking at their best.
Grooming consists of not only brushing out the coat and bathing
but also giving attention to the eyes, teeth, ears, feet and
nails. A regular routine also ensures that any potential health
problems are identified as quickly as possible, especially
important in puppies and older Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier dogs.
Life
Expectancy information of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Dog Breed
The life
expectancy for this particular breed is 12 – 15 years.
Age
comparison between the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Dog Breed and a Human
Age
comparisons between dogs and humans are always a matter of
debate - we hope that the following information clarifies the
situation. After the first year of life, a dog is equivalent to
sixteen human years. After two years, they are equivalent to a 24 year old, at
three years a 30 year old, and each year after, add 5 human years to determine
a dog's age.
The
Pictures reflect the Size of Adults - not Children and Puppies!
The pictures above allow for a useful comparison of sizes
providing an accurate portrait of the size of an average Soft
Coated Wheaten Terrier- essential
information but unique to this site. It should also be noted that
the pictures feature adults. The size of puppies are naturally
considerably smaller and the full grown size of the animal can
easily be forgotten when confronted with cute puppies! The slogan
" A dog isn't just for Christmas - it's for life!" was necessitated
by well meaning people buying puppies at the Christmas, unaware of
the puppies growth rate. The pictures provided make it extremely
clear exactly how small puppies will develop and whether it will
suit the life and living conditions of the family.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Dog - Puppies Info and Names
The
Puppies section, accessed via the Site Index, provides detailed
information about Choosing the right puppy, Puppy Training, Puppy
Care and Puppy Behavior, Growth & Development. We recommend that
the following considerations should always be taken into account
when choosing puppies:
Budget
- Purchasing, training, equipment, medication and feeding
costs of the breed
Convenience
and Grooming time e.g. long or short hair
Personal
situation - time available and medical conditions such as allergies,
asthma or back pain
Exercising
requirements for the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier breed
Living
Conditions for the dog breed - suitability for puppies
Family
- child suitability
Puppy and Dog
Names - The Importance of choosing the right names
Terrier
Dog Breed Information Dogs in the
Terrier group, which
include the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, were developed to hunt and kill vermin. The
vermin included control rats, mice and other predatory animals
such as foxes that might raided a farmer's produce and livestock.The very nature of these tasks require an
energetic, tenacious, brave and determined dog such as the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
. Terrier
dogs have always been viewed as real assets by their
owners and have worked with man for centuries.
Terrier
Dog Breed Duties and Tasks
Characteristics and features
of Terrier Dogs have been introduced and strengthened
by
breeding with animals who already demonstrated the desired traits.
Breeding for appearance was only introduced in the 19th Century.
Before this time dogs and puppies were bred to increase useful abilities and traits
helpful for the duties they were intended for. The trait
encouraged was the ability to dig up underground dens and burrows
and "go to ground" whilst barking noisily to frighten out any
inhabitants.Thus, the
various Terrier breeds, including the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, were introduced to help man
according to his specific requirements such as:
Hunting
vermin
Hunting
larger animals such as foxes
Some
terriers were also able to kill their quarry
In
this day and age not every Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier might be
called to undertake these vermin -related tasks, but
nevertheless, they still harbour the skills and characteristics
that made the original Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier breeding
program successful.
Examples
of other Breeds within the Terrier Dog Group
The Terrier group includes the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
and all of
the following breeds:
Airedale Terriers, American Staffordshire , Australian , Bedlington
Terriors, Border
, Bull , Cairn , Dandie Dinmont Terriers, Irish Terriors , Kerry Blue
Terriers, Lakeland , Manchester (Standard), Miniature Bull
Terriors, Miniature Schnauzer, Norfolk Terriers, Norwich
, Parson Russell, Scottish, Sealyham Terriors, Skye, Smooth Fox, Soft Coated Wheaten, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Welsh, West Highland White
and the Wire Fox Terriers. Name Facts and Dog Names: This dog's name is
sometimes mis-spelt as Wheatan terrior. Pictures and information about all of the above
Terrier breeds,
together with all other dog groups, may be found
on this website via the following links: