Are Wheaten terriers high maintenance?
None more so than the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier. To avoid heartache later, conscientious breeders will proactively insist on prospective owners making themselves fully familiar with this high maintenance, big personality breed, it’s various developmental stages and wide type diversity. Another reason Wheaten Terriers are such great family dogs is that they are very intelligent and easily trainable.Wheaten Terriers tend to be playful, energetic, and fun dogs that are affectionate with their families. They get along well with children and other dogs. But, they have a high prey drive, so they will need socialization with smaller pets in the family.Wheaten Terriers are intelligent dogs with a moderate level of trainability. They have a playful and curious nature, which can sometimes lead to a bit of stubbornness during training. Positive reinforcement methods that involve treats, praise, and play work best for them.Most wheatens will bark (like an alarm) if they hear or sense something but generally speaking they are not big barkers or what some would call yappy dogs. Something that is very important and a requirement for wheatens, is having a fenced yard or a safe place to walk or take them for exercise.They are liable to kill such animals because of their heritage of ridding vermin on farms. Wheaten terriers make excellent watchdogs but poor guard dogs because everyone is their friend. Wheatens can bark excessively if not properly trained. They also will pull on the leash.
Can Wheaten terriers be left alone?
They thrive on human companionship and enjoy being part of the family. Leaving them alone for long periods can lead to boredom, anxiety, and destructive behavior. Soft coated wheaten terriers are also intelligent and curious dogs. They require mental stimulation and physical exercise to stay happy and healthy. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is keenly smart and willful, and often has his own agenda. This makes them challenging to train. It also provides another reason why obedience training should start early, before bad habits become ingrained. A Wheaten needs consistent, firm discipline but is sensitive to harsh treatment.Before bringing home a Wheaten Terrier puppy, make sure you have the time to keep up with at-home grooming and the budget for regular trips to a professional groomer. The Wheaten is an intelligent breed and often has a mind of their own. Positive reinforcement and patience are needed for training.The Terrier in the Wheaten is energetic, and although they enjoy walks, they prefer to be off the leash running around with other dogs. Terriers are lively and they are always looking for something to do. They need mental stimulation and become bored and destructive if they’re neglected.Barking: Most Wheatens will bark an alarm when strangers approach. They must be fenced or walked on a lead since they are known to wander and will chase squirrels, rabbits, cars, etc. They are terriers and care must be given when there are other pets in the household.Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are known for their cuddly nature. They love to be close to their owners and will often seek out physical affection. Whether it’s snuggling up on the couch or curling up in bed with you, these dogs are happiest when they are in close proximity to their loved ones.
Do wheaten terriers have health problems?
Health issues common to soft coated wheaten terriers breed-specific health problems include protein-losing nephropathy (pln) and protein-losing enteropathy (ple), as well as addison’s disease, a disorder of the adrenal glands. When selecting what to feed your soft coated wheaten terrier, choose a diet with high-quality animal-based protein sources, such as beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, duck, eggs, and fish.Health problems. The greatest concerns in this breed are a serious digestive disease, two serious kidney diseases, and three eye diseases. Wheatens are also prone to allergic skin disorders and ear infections. Read more about Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Health.Regarding temperament, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is highly devoted and affectionate and loves just about everybody they meet. They’re even good for first-time pet parents and apartment dwellers. But beware: that soft, silky coat needs a lot of grooming.Like many other breeds, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers can develop separation anxiety, leading to excessive barking when left alone.Unfortunately, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers can inherit or develop a number of different eye conditions, some of which may cause blindness if not treated right away, and most of which can be extremely painful!
How rare is a Wheaten terrier?
Wheaten terriers are not a common breed; they are listed as a vulnerable breed by the Kennel Club, UK with fewer than 300 registered dogs per year; in the USA they have only come close to cracking the top 50 most popular breeds (see Figure 1). Over time, your Wheaten Terrier might calm down a bit and start to trust you more, but they also might need a little extra training or even medication to help them calm down. Basically, you need to figure out what the trigger for their fear or anxiety is and then remove that trigger from their environment if possible.The Wheaten was bred in Ireland for over two hundred years to be an all-purpose farm dog whose duties included herding, watching and guarding livestock, and vermin hunting and killing. They share a common ancestry with the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Irish Terrier but were not owned by gentry.Most wheatens will bark (like an alarm) if they hear or sense something but generally speaking they are not big barkers or what some would call yappy dogs. Something that is very important and a requirement for wheatens, is having a fenced yard or a safe place to walk or take them for exercise.The Wheaten Terrier is alert, happy, playful and friendly. Though they do not bark unnecessarily, they will give voice when a stranger arrives. They make great watchdogs. They get along well with children and other dogs, as long as they are socialized at an early age.
What is the life expectancy of a Wheaten terrier mix?
The average Wheaten Terrier lifespan is 12 to 15 years and some live up to 17 years old. You can expect a Wheaten Terrier to live around 12 to 14 years.The average Wheaten Terrier lifespan is 12 to 15 years and some live up to 17 years old.Early socialization and puppy training classes are recommended for all dogs to help to ensure that the they grow into well-adjusted, well-mannered companions. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is keenly smart and willful, and often has his own agenda.Wheaten Terriers tend to be playful, energetic, and fun dogs that are affectionate with their families. They get along well with children and other dogs. But, they have a high prey drive, so they will need socialization with smaller pets in the family.