Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier — breed guide
Greets people with a full-body "Wheaten leap" that takes real training to redirect.
At a glance
- Group
- terrier
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 14–20 kg (31–44 lb)
- Life span
- 12–14 years
- Coat
- Soft, silky, wavy single coat
Living with a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- High energy — needs real exercise every day, not a stroll.
- Daily grooming — this coat is a commitment.
- Barely sheds.
- Trainable with consistency.
- Vocal when there is a reason.
- Good with children.
- Gets along with other dogs.
- Can live with a cat, with a slow introduction and an escape route for the cat.
- Suits apartment living, given its daily walks.
- A reasonable choice for a first-time owner.
- Average heat tolerance.
- Handles cold well.
Temperament
Exuberant · Friendly · Bouncy · Steady
Health to watch
- Protein-losing nephropathy
- Protein-losing enteropathy
- Addison's disease
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Questions people ask
Is a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier good with kids?
Generally yes. Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier good with cats?
It can work, with management. Introduce them gradually, feed them apart, and make sure the cat has vertical space the dog cannot reach. Plan to manage it rather than assume it.
How much exercise does a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier need?
An hour or more of proper exercise every day.
Can a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier handle hot weather?
About average — use normal hot-day sense.
Leash Life keeps a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier's day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.