Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Like every breed, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:

• Use positive reinforcement with food, toys and enjoyable activities.
• Give their chasing and tugging instincts a safe outlet with suitable toys and games.
• Socialise them carefully with other dogs, cats and livestock.
• Work hard on a strong recall and a reliable retrieve and drop.
• Start socialisation early in puppyhood.

• Children

  Usually better with older, calmer children.

• Other dogs

  Can be selective about other dogs.

• Cats and small pets

  Varies with the individual dog.

• Flats and smaller homes

  Usually happier in a house.

• Garden

  A secure garden is strongly advised.

• Being left alone

  Usually copes only with short periods alone.

• First-time owners

  Best with an experienced owner.

Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.

• Hip dysplasia

  Looseness in the hip joint caused by poor development, which eventually leads to arthritis. The Royal Kennel Club recommends hip testing under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme.

• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

  A gradual deterioration of the retina that can start with night blindness and progress to total blindness. Eye testing under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme is recommended.

• Protein-losing nephropathy and enteropathy

  Protein is lost through the kidneys or the intestines, which can cause diarrhoea and weight loss. In this breed the intestinal form is usually linked to inflammatory bowel disease.

• Renal dysplasia

  The kidney does not develop properly and cannot work normally.

• Addison's disease

  The adrenal glands produce too little of hormones such as cortisol.

• Atopy

  Sensitivity to certain allergens, causing itching and damage to the skin.

• Degenerative myelopathy

  A condition that causes gradual paralysis of the hind legs.

Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier home, it is reasonable to ask about:

• Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
• Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
• Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
• Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.

There are two costs: bringing a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.

Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically from 12 years, not just the first year.

If you have decided the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.

• Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
• Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
• Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
• Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.

Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.