Terrier group

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

The happy Irish terrier — bouncy, affectionate and famous for the “Wheaten greetin’”.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are medium-sized, silky-coated Irish farm dogs. They are friendly, playful and devoted, with a low-shedding coat that needs lots of care and a joyful habit of jumping to greet people.

Height
17–19 in43–48 cm
Weight
30–40 lb14–18 kg
Life expectancy
12–14 years
Size
Medium
Group
Terrier
Origin
Ireland

Coat: Soft, silky, gently waving single coat; low shedding. Colours: Wheaten (any shade).

At a glance

Exercise Requirement3.5 / 5
20-30 min gentle walk2+ hours intense stamina
Indoor "Off-Switch"3.0 / 5
Restless / constantly searching for actionInstantly curls up and relaxes indoors
Trainability3.5 / 5
Strong independent thinkerEager biddable student
Mental Stimulation3.5 / 5
Content with routineNeeds a job or creates mischief
Affection Level4.5 / 5
Polite distanceConstant lap snuggler
Stranger Friendliness4.5 / 5
Naturally aloof / watchfulGreets every stranger as best friend
Child Patience & Safety4.5 / 5
Prefers quiet adultsRemarkably sturdy & patient
Other Dog Friendliness3.5 / 5
Strong solo-dog preferenceLoves pack play and multi-dog homes
Prey Drive3.5 / 5
Ignores crittersHigh pursuit instinct / fence chaser
Vocalization & Barking3.0 / 5
Nearly mute / quietWatchful alarm barker or howler
Shedding Level1.5 / 5
Minimal to non-sheddingHeavy year-round fur shedding
Grooming Burden4.5 / 5
Wash & wear coatDaily brushing + salon visits
Drool Tendency1.0 / 5
Dry-mouthedRequires dedicated slobber towels
Apartment Suitability3.5 / 5
Needs acreage or private runThrives in urban elevator apartments
Beginner Friendliness3.0 / 5
Demands experienced handlerIdeal forgiving companion for first-timers
Owner Demand Level3.0 / 5
Very forgiving for novicesRequires skilled firm handling

Ratings describe typical dogs of the breed on a 1–5 scale. Individual dogs vary with lines, upbringing and training.

Temperament

Wheatens are cheerful, affectionate and people-loving. They are usually good with children and friendly with visitors, and they stay playful throughout life.

They are less scrappy than many terriers but still enjoy chasing. Their enthusiastic jumping — the “Wheaten greetin’” — needs early training. They can be stubborn.

Living with a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Exercise

About an hour of daily walks and play. They enjoy agility and herding games.

Grooming

Brush to the skin several times a week and book professional grooming every six to eight weeks.

Training

Bright but sometimes stubborn; positive, consistent training works well. Teach polite greetings early.

Kids & other pets

Excellent with children and usually good with other dogs. Supervise with small pets.

Time alone

Wheatens love company and may become anxious or destructive if left for long periods.

Home fit

Can manage in an apartment with committed daily exercise; a house with outdoor space is easier.

Is a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier right for you?

Take the Breed Fit quiz to see how a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier matches your home, schedule and tolerance for shedding, barking and exercise — or find out which breed matches your personality with Dogsona.

Take the Breed Fit quizTry Dogsona →

Health

With good breeding and care, a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier typically lives 12–14 years. These are the conditions most associated with the breed — not a prediction for any individual dog.

  • Protein-losing nephropathy (PLN)

    An inherited kidney disease; a DNA test identifies at-risk dogs and annual urine protein checks are advised.

  • Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE)

    A gut disease causing protein loss, diarrhoea and weight loss.

  • Addison’s disease

    An adrenal disorder with vague symptoms; mention the breed risk to your vet.

  • Renal dysplasia

    Abnormal kidney development that can cause early kidney failure.

  • Hip dysplasia

    Screened parents reduce the risk of joint disease.

Ask a breeder for

  • Hip evaluation
  • Eye examination
  • DNA test for PLN
  • Annual urine and blood protein screening

Sources: OFA CHIC breed requirements: Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier; Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America. This is general information, not veterinary advice — talk to your vet about your own dog.

Cost to own

After the first year, expect roughly $1,200–$2,500 a year for food, routine vet care, preventives, insurance and supplies (US estimate).

  • Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks adds roughly $500–$900 a year.
  • Pet insurance for a puppy typically runs $30–$60 a month; premiums rise with age and breed risk.
See the full first-year cost breakdown →

History

Wheatens have been Irish farm dogs for over 200 years, herding, guarding and hunting vermin. They were sometimes called the “poor man’s wolfhound”, since tenant farmers could not own hunting hounds.

The Irish Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1937. The AKC recognised the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier in 1973.

Did you know?

  • Wheaten puppies are born dark and lighten to wheaten by about two years.
  • The enthusiastic jumping greeting is nicknamed the “Wheaten greetin’”.
  • Wheatens were once called the “poor man’s wolfhound”.

Library guides for Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier owners

Similar breeds

Frequently asked questions

Are Wheatens hypoallergenic?
No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but Wheatens shed very little.
Are Wheatens good family dogs?
Yes — they are affectionate, playful and great with children.
How much grooming does a Wheaten need?
A lot: brushing several times a week and regular professional grooming.