Is a wheaten terrier a good family dog?
Wheaten Terriers have a spirited and affectionate nature. They are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities, making them excellent family companions. They love to be part of the family’s activities and enjoy the company of children. 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.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.Often referred to simply as the “Wheaten,” Wheaten Terriers were originally bred as versatile farm dogs, serving as all-around working dogs on Irish farms. Regarding temperament, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is highly devoted and affectionate and loves just about everybody they meet.Wheaten Terriers are quite well known to be slow to train. They are very smart in resolving problems like retrieving toys that have fallen under furniture, or getting treats out of toys (such as Kong toys, 2-in-1 plush toys, or Hide-A Squirrel toys), or even more complex dog puzzle toys.
Are Wheaten terriers high maintenance?
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is an energetic breed with an endless supply of love to give to their people. They are low-shedding but do require extensive coat care to avoid matting. Another reason Wheaten Terriers are such great family dogs is that they are very intelligent and easily trainable. The only thing it’s hard to train them to do is not jump up on people. They love people so much and it’s an instinct.Personality and Training The Wheaten Terrier is a friendly and outgoing breed that loves to play and be around people. They are highly intelligent and love to learn new tricks and obedience commands. This breed is also very social and enjoys the company of other dogs and pets.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.Although one of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier’s favorite activities is digging holes, they normally aren’t trying to escape — rather, digging is in their blood. Although yard time is ok, Wheatens prefer to be inside the house as much as possible, especially on days which are exceptionally hot.
Why not get a Wheaten terrier?
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. Emotional care: wheatens can tolerate being left alone for a little while, but they should never be left alone for the better part of a day or an entire day. Make sure that they are trained well and with discipline as puppies, but don’t exert any harsh punishment on them as they are quite sensitive.Wheaten terriers are typically smart dogs, though willful, and often have their own agenda. This can make them a challenge to train, though can also make training fun. This also makes those successes in dog sports that much more special.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.Wheaton are a herding breed which means the dog is more of a problem solving free thinker than other non hearing breeds. Many herding breeds nip when they want to disagree, correct or redirect their charges. When the dog is in a working capacity and trained with a specific purpose, this is a valuable trait.
What do Wheaten terriers eat?
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. Wheaten Terriers have many admirable qualities including a fun-loving nature, intelligence and beauty. However, they are high maintenance dogs. The coat is non-shedding and must be brushed daily to prevent matting. This one point cannot be stressed enough.The Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier is famed for its amiable disposition and buoyant personality. They are often described as exuberant and lively, making them a delightful companion for both families and individuals. These dogs are inherently social and tend to form strong bonds with their human counterparts.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. Wheatens are intelligent, have a good sense of humour, and are tolerant with a good nature.The major diseases owners of Soft Wheaten Terriers must be aware of are: Protein-losing nephropathy and Protein-losing enteropathy. Less commonly they may have Renal dysplasia, Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s), Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Canine Hip Dysplasia.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.
Are Wheaten terriers difficult to train?
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. This makes them challenging to train. 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.The average Wheaten Terrier lifespan is 12 to 15 years and some live up to 17 years old. However, it is important to know that all dog breeds are susceptible to certain diseases and the Wheaten is no exception.Personality and Training The Wheaten Terrier is a friendly and outgoing breed that loves to play and be around people. They are highly intelligent and love to learn new tricks and obedience commands. This breed is also very social and enjoys the company of other dogs and pets.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).Wheaten Terriers have moderate exercise needs and require around 45-60 minutes of exercise per day. They enjoy a mix of physical activities and mental stimulation. Daily walks, interactive play sessions, and off-lead time in a securely fenced area provide them with the exercise they need.
Can a Wheaten terrier be left alone?
Alone Time. The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier becomes attached to her family, and prefers to spend time with them. While you can leave her alone from four to eight hours per day, she needs plenty of exercise due to her high energy level. Expect exuberant barking, jumping, and face licks upon your return home. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is full of energy, loves people, and makes a great family pet.Like many other breeds, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers can develop separation anxiety, leading to excessive barking when left alone.This working breed enjoys playing. But Wheaten Terriers will also enjoy cuddling time on the couch as long as they get enough stimulation during playtime.