Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Ireland's sunniest terrier, dressed in ripening wheat.
Vital stats
| Size | Medium · 43–48 cm |
| Weight | 14–18 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–14 years |
| Energy | Moderate–high — 60 min/day |
| Shedding | Very low — the coat mats instead |
| Coat | Soft, silky, gently waving single coat · warm wheaten |
| Group | Terrier · FCI №40 / AKC |
| Origin | Munster, Ireland |
| FCI group | 3 — Terriers · FCI 40 |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier by the numbers
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier facts owners search for most — price, lifespan, weight, shedding and colours, in one place.
Widely bred, so you can usually find a litter from a registered breeder without a long wait. Plan for steady ongoing costs — mid-range food, routine vet care and insurance. Its coat also needs a professional groom every few weeks — a real line in the budget.
We don't quote a single figure: the real price swings with breeder, region, bloodline and health testing — and a rescue costs a fraction of a breeder's litter. Adopting is almost always the cheapest route.
Temperament
The poor Irish farmer's everything-dog — ratter, herder's helper, watchdog — the Wheaten kept terrier spark but shed most of the terrier edge. What remains is a bouncy, people-adoring extrovert that hurls itself into greetings, games and puddles with equal commitment, and takes training well when it's kept cheerful.
Habits & quirks
The Wheaten greetin'
Homecomings are met airborne — the breed's famous leaping hello.
Beard souvenirs
Water bowl, garden, dinner: the beard files a report on each.
Joy sprints
Sudden ecstatic laps of the garden, cause unknown, cause unnecessary.
Everyone's best friend
Strangers are simply friends who haven't been greeted yet.
Health
The Wheaten is a generally sound, moderately built terrier, but the breed is known for protein-losing conditions of the gut and kidneys, so ask any breeder openly what they screen for and what has appeared in their lines. Keep an eye on your dog's weight and body condition, since unexplained weight loss, swelling or a drop in appetite are worth an early vet visit in this breed. Feed well, stay lean, and keep up routine check-ups, and most Wheatens live a long, cheerful life.
Nutrition
| Grooming | Comb to the skin every day or two — this silky coat mats quietly and quickly. |
| Exercise | A solid hour daily of walks and play keeps the bounce charming rather than chaotic. |
| Training | Teach polite greetings early; fourteen airborne kilograms is a lot of hello. |
| Health | Keep an eye on weight and ask breeders about protein-losing conditions known in the breed. |
Feed a Wheaten for a lean, level weight and measure meals rather than eyeballing them — ribs you can feel but not see. Count treats into the daily total, which matters doubly here because you'll be rewarding a lot of training and greeting practice. Because the breed can carry protein-losing conditions, note any lasting change in appetite, weight or stools and raise it with your vet early rather than adjusting the bowl and hoping.
Puppy guide
A Wheaten puppy is sunny, sociable and springy, and the big early job is manners before the muscle arrives — a grown Wheaten meets you airborne, and fourteen kilos of hello is a lot for a child or an older visitor. Teach four feet on the floor from the start, socialise early and widely, and get the pup used to daily combing while the coat is still short, so grooming stays a pleasure and not a fight later. Keep exercise fun and age-appropriate while it grows.
Training
Wheatens are willing and clever but keep a streak of terrier independence, so training works best kept upbeat, short and rewarding — heavy-handed drilling shuts them down. Put polite greetings top of the list, because the famous leaping hello is charming in a puppy and overwhelming in an adult. Reward the calm version, work recall early, and expect some chasing and selective deafness when a scent gets interesting. Stay cheerful and consistent and the Wheaten meets you halfway.
Life expectancy
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers live 12–14 years. Wheatens are a fairly long-lived terrier, and the biggest thing in your hands is catching the breed's protein-losing conditions early. Learn your dog's normal weight, appetite and energy so a change stands out, keep it lean and well-fed, and don't sit on unexplained weight loss or swelling — an early vet visit is worth far more than watching and waiting. Choose a breeder honest about health, and most of that range is within reach.
Popular Soft mixes
Whoodle
A soft, low-shedding cross bred for a friendly, playful nature and a coat that mats as readily as either parent's. Expect regular combing and a bouncy, people-loving dog.
Similar breeds
Breeds with a similar build and background — worth a look if this one isn't quite the fit.
Breeds that look like this
Common questions
Do Wheaten Terriers shed?
Hardly at all — the single coat drops very little and is often better tolerated by allergy sufferers, though no dog is truly hypoallergenic. The trade-off is frequent combing to prevent mats.
Are Wheatens good for first-time owners?
Yes, if you're honest about the grooming and the exuberance. They're forgiving, friendly dogs, but untrained enthusiasm can flatten small guests.
Are Wheaten Terriers calmer than other terriers?
Noticeably softer and more sociable, yes — but the terrier core remains. Expect some chasing, digging and selective deafness when something smells interesting.
Is the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier hypoallergenic?
No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier comes closer than most: its low-shedding coat releases less of the dander that triggers allergies. Many allergy sufferers manage well with this breed, but spend time around one before committing.
Is the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier good with children?
Generally yes. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a friendly, people-loving breed that usually does well with children when raised and socialised well. As with any dog, teach children to be gentle and supervise around toddlers.
Is the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier easy to train?
Reasonably. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is trainable with consistency and rewards, though it isn't the quickest study. Keep sessions short and positive, and be patient with the basics like recall.
