Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
軟毛麥色㹴
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is an Irish farm dog with a silky, gently waving wheat-coloured coat that sheds little but mats easily without regular combing. Wheatens are happy, friendly and deeply devoted — a little more laid-back than most terriers, but still spirited, willful and driven to chase anything that moves. Two protein-losing conditions (PLN and PLE) are the breed's main health concern.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 43–48cm |
| Weight | 14–20kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–14years |
| Breed group | AKC: terrier FCI: 3 |
| Role | Terrier |
| Coat | Medium coat |
| Shedding | 1/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–120min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 5/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 3/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 3/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Behaviour
Happy, steady, still a terrier
The CKC says the Wheaten is a happy, steady dog with an aura of self-confidence, inquisitive and alert, and a bit more laid-back than many other terriers; the AKC describes it as keenly smart and willful with its own agenda, needing consistent, firm training that starts early yet remains sensitive to harsh treatment.
Medium-high energy, strong prey drive
The AKC says the Wheaten's medium-to-high energy does not diminish even in old age, that it will chase anything from squirrels to cars so play areas must be securely fenced and walks always on lead, and that it bonds to owners who should join in its daily exercise; the CKC says a daily brisk walk is the minimum and more is appreciated.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 4/5 (high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Soft coated Wheaten Terrier (Terriers)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Breed characteristics (size medium, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan over 12 years).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (standard no. 40, group 3)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's health page says Wheatens are generally healthy but that protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) and protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) occur at elevated rates, with Addison's disease and renal dysplasia also seen; buyers should expect hip and eye clearances on both parents and PLN variant-gene test results on the parents or the puppy, and can research a pedigree in the club's open health database.”
— Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America — Health via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Soft coated Wheaten Terrier — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier — FCI standard no. 40 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Health — Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America — Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America (public health pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.