Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Breed Information

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers are a member of the ‘Terrier’ breed group. Dogs in the Terrier group were originally bred for hunting vermin. They are hardy, brave dogs bred to pursue the likes of foxes, badgers and rats (to name a few) above and below ground.

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers are affectionate, gentle and playful. They generally like to please their owners, but can occasionally be a little stubborn and headstrong. They are friendly, trustworthy dogs that generally get on well with everyone and make great family pets, given the right socialisation as puppies.

Grooming is required daily to keep their coat in good condition, and trimming will also be required periodically.

Breed-related health problems:

Owners are, understandably, upset when their dog develops a health problem linked to its breed. Often they wish they’d known what problems the breed was prone to have. The potential health problems that Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers are prone to include:

• Hip dysplasia – hip joint laxity as a result of poor development, which will eventually lead to arthritis.
• Progressive retinal atrophy – gradual deterioration of the retina of the eye. Symptoms can start with night blindness and progress to total blindness.
• Protein-losing diseases – loss of protein through the kidneys or intestines resulting in diarrhoea and weight loss.
• Atopy – hypersensitivity to certain allergens, causing itching and skin trauma.
• Addison's Disease – a condition caused by an abnormally low production of hormones, such as cortisol, by the adrenal glands.

For some conditions, there are screening programmes available through the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Kennel Club. The Canine Health Schemes allow breeders to screen for a range of inherited diseases, so it’s a good idea to check the parents of any puppy you’re looking to rehome have been screened under these schemes. We’d also recommend discussing the medical history of your potential puppy’s parents and grandparents, and think very carefully before taking on a dog with any of the health conditions listed above evident in the family line.

You can find out more about the Canine Health Schemes on the BVA's website.

Exercise requirements:

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers need around an hour of exercise daily.

Estimated lifetime cost:

The likely lifetime costs for a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier are based on estimates calculated using current market prices and include:

• Initial costs of the purchase of the pet
• Neutering
• First vaccinations and booster vaccinations
• Microchipping
• Accessories
• Food
• Pet insurance
• Toys
• Grooming
• Worming
• Flea treatments

The list above does not include veterinary costs if your pet becomes sick or injured, so these average lifetime costs could be even higher.

Insure your Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier with PDSA:

1 in 3 pets need vet treatment each year and vet bills can come to hundreds of pounds. PDSA Pet Insurance can give you peace of mind when your pet is poorly, especially for breeds like Soft Coated Wheatens that are prone to certain conditions. PDSA Pet Insurance offers:

1. Dog and cat insurance policies from 8 weeks of age.
2. 24/7 veterinary advice online or over the phone with Petcall.
3. Manage your policy online with the PDSA Insure Hub.
4. Monthly payment at no extra cost.

By insuring your Soft Coated Wheaten with PDSA Pet Insurance you’ll also be helping to provide vet care to some of the UK’s neediest pets.

For more information on taking care of your dog please visit our puppies and dogs section.

Rehoming from a reputable source:

Where you get a dog from can have a big effect on how healthy and happy it is for the rest of its life. Find out where our PDSA vet experts recommend you get your dog from.

Not sure if the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is the right pet for you?