Origin of the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier breed, exterior standard, character, health, care advice, training. Price when buying a puppy. This cute and elegant handsome dog with amazing golden hair matted in cute curls, with a funny "beard" and "mustache" of a kind wizard and clever eyes immediately attracts the attention of all dog lovers, wherever he appears. His always benevolent behavior, combined with the ability to stand up for himself, his amazing intelligence and balanced unobtrusiveness, his absolute loyalty and devotion recklessly fall in love with even the most indifferent to animals. Well, the children are absolutely crazy about this amazing funny and playful dog with "curls".
The origin story of the Irish Wheaten Terrier
The history of the Irish Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier began long ago and, as is often the case, many of the nuances of the origin of these amazing dogs have remained in the past, forever remaining a mystery to modern researchers.
The first reliable records of the existence in Ireland of dogs with wool of the color of ripe wheat date back to the beginning of the 18th century. It was then in Ireland that there was a boom associated with the breeding of a wide variety of terrier dogs of all stripes and sizes, with a wide variety of purposes.
One of the ancestors of modern wheaten terrier dogs is considered one of the oldest terriers in Southern Ireland, famous for its beautiful blue coat (now this breed is called the Kerry Blue Terrier). How things were in reality, we will probably never know for certain.
More modern mentions of the Wheaten Terrier breed date back to the beginning of the 20th century. It was then that Irish farmers began to actively breed these dogs to protect their farms and grazed livestock.
But only in the 30s of the XX century, the real attention was paid to the breed of terriers with an unconventionally soft silky coat of golden-beige color. It was in those years that dog breeders began to focus their efforts on improving the aesthetic appearance of the dog, increasing the beauty and stateliness of the exterior of their pets. Wheaten terriers had all the necessary data to become a uniquely beautiful and popular breed.
Breeders and enthusiasts Patrick Blake, Gerald Pierce, John Whitty and Robert Bourke were engaged in reviving the breed and improving the exterior of the wheat dog. It was they who managed not only to revive the breeding fund of the breed, but also to significantly improve the quality of the animal's wool. In 1936, on St. Patrick's Day, the first performance of the Irish Wheats took place at a championship organized by the Irish Kennel Club. The dogs made a good impression on the audience, especially on the older people who had known these dogs for a long time (even though the competing dogs' hair was in a rather neglected state, and the organizers themselves did not have sufficient experience of such performances). The members of the judging committee appreciated the general appearance and prospects of the Irish national dog. And their decision significantly influenced the fact that on August 27, 1937, a new breed of terrier dogs was officially entered into the Studbook of the Irish Kennel Club.
In early 1940, the history of the first kennel of the newly revived breed, called Holmenocks, began with a dog named Silver Wheat. Thanks to the owner of this kennel, Maureen Holmes, the population of cute golden-haired terriers has increased significantly in just a few years. But, as often happens, with the beginning of fame and with the advent of popularity of the breed, internal disagreements began among the breeders themselves. Especially with the advent of 1944, when a real "war of scissors" unfolded among dog lovers around the world. The breeder Maureen Holmes, succumbing to the trend of fashion for shorn, neat and "top" dogs, began to actively use haircuts and trimming for her wheaten pets, which caused discontent and resistance among breeders of the breed who do not recognize dog grooming. Despite active opposition, Mrs. Holmes did not want her beloved dogs to look like haystacks and began to exhibit at the show championships only beautifully trimmed terriers. Ultimately, she defeated her opponents. Since then, wheaten-colored terriers have been grooming.
In 1942, a pair of Irish Wheaten Terriers (Cheerful Peter and Sandra) were first introduced to England. True, the Second World War did not allow full-fledged breeding of a breed of Irish dogs, a new breed for the British. And although the British Kennel Club recognized the breed back in 1943, the "wheats" consolidated their position in the UK only after the end of the war - in 1946, when two more dogs were imported from the Maureen Holmes kennel. The dogs were named Firecrest and Silver Spearhead. It is from this pair of dogs that almost all modern wheat "Irish" bred in Great Britain have their pedigrees.
Further acquaintance of the world cynological community with elegant terriers from Ireland went just by leaps and bounds. In 1947, the first breed entered the United States for the first time. In the 1950s, two more pedigree dogs were imported to the United States, which led to the creation of the first US nursery, Sunset Hills, initiating the American breeding of “Irish”. In 1973, the Wheaten Irish Soft Coated Terrier was entered in the American Kennel Club Studbook (by that time there were already about 1,100 dogs of this breed in the USA).
In the 50s of the XX century, wheat dogs appeared in the Netherlands and Finland (where in 1963 the Holmenocks Hepburn wheat dog became the first International Champion). Gradually, the breed has mastered the entire territory of European countries, becoming truly recognized and loved.
In 1957, "wheats" were recognized in many countries around the world and registered with the International Cynological Federation (FCI). The last FCI breeding standard was approved in 2001.
The purpose of the Irish Wheaten Terrier
Initially, this Irish dog was exclusively engaged in the protection of livestock and property, living mainly on farms in Ireland. His second task was the extermination of numerous rodents (rats, mice and moles) that annoy the farmers. Occasionally they hunted small game with him.
Nowadays, the functions of "wheats" have changed significantly. Dogs of this breed began to be used as promising sports dogs in competitions in agility, dog-frisbee and flyball. Often this breed can be found at customs or at the police station in Ireland.
But the greatest recognition was given to these curly golden dogs as companion dogs, as well as show dogs intended exclusively for show championships.
Wheaten Terrier External Standard
The Irish Wheaten Terrier is a beautiful, stately dog with a compact athletic build and silky soft fur the color of ripe wheat. The maximum height of the animal reaches 48 centimeters, and the body weight is 21 kg. Females are somewhat smaller in size and body weight.
- Head voluminous, but proportional to the body, square with a wide somewhat rectangular skull. The occipital protuberance is developed. The stop (transition from forehead to muzzle) is clear. The muzzle is wide, elongated. The bridge of the nose is rather wide, of medium length. The nose is black, large. The jaws are powerful. Dental formula is complete (42 pcs.). The teeth are white, large, with pronounced large canines. The bite is firm, straight or scissor-like.
- Eyes round in shape, small in size with a straight and not wide set. The color of the eyes is brown or dark hazel. The eyes are expressive, with an intelligent, attentive gaze.
- Ears Set on high, triangular, small to medium in size, directed forward and fractured at the level of the crown of the head.
- Neck of medium length, strong and muscular, blending smoothly into the body. The scruff is indistinct.
- Torso the Irish Wheaten Terrier is square-elongated, but not too elongated, strong, dense, and not prone to corpulence. The length of the animal from the withers to the base of the tail should be approximately equal to the height of the dog. The chest is deep and well developed. The back is strong, straight, not very wide. The back line is straight. The croup is strong, short, slightly sloping.
- Tail set on high, of medium thickness, saber-shaped. It can also be docked at the level of 2-3 vertebrae. The undocked tail is raised upward with a saber-shaped bend on the back (without touching the back).
- Limbs straight, strong, muscular. The bones of the limbs are strong. Dewclaws on the hind legs should be removed. Feet are oval and tight. Claws are black.
- Wool rather uniform without undercoat, wavy with rings, soft and silky to the touch. The standard allows trimming of the animal.
In untrimmed dogs, the coat is rather long, reaching 12-13 centimeters in length. The coat is shiny, very soft, wavy type, with the formation of beautiful curls. The wool of a puppy, a young dog and an adult animal seriously differ in quality from each other, which should be taken into account when assessing (finally, the wool forms the breed structure only by the age of two).
Correctly trimmed "wheats" have a short coat on the chest, neck and head. Long hair is specially left under the eyes and on the lower jaw (the so-called "beard"). Long mustaches are also welcome. The hair of the body and limbs is cut to show the sporty silhouette of the dog. On the tail, it is cut very shortly.
The color should have a rich wheat color (from light wheat to ripe wheat with a reddish-golden hue). A more uniform color scheme is preferred. Wheaten terrier puppies are rarely born with fur color corresponding to the adult color (during life, its structure and color change). Therefore, the coat color of the puppies can be gray or reddish, with black tips on the guard hair. It is also possible to have a black or dark gray mask on the puppy's face.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier personality traits
The representative of the breed is a lively, energetic dog with a benevolent and cheerful character. The owners of Irish wheats, speaking of their golden pets, are absolutely unanimous - there is no better dog. The Irish Wheaten Terrier, in their opinion, has absolutely no flaws. He is an unusually intelligent, handsome and loyal dog. He is brave and strong, but not aggressive, he never barks in vain and does not rush at anyone. At the same time, he is a wonderful guard, able to stand up for himself and for his master and for the protected property.
Wheat gets along well with children, taking part in their active games with pleasure. He easily finds contact with other animals living in the house, even with cats (refuting the popular saying). The terrier swims well and does not experience any fear of the water element. He enjoys swimming and loves playing in the water with children, loves to fish out of the water and serve a thrown stick or ball to the owner.
This is a remarkably docile dog, easy to learn and easy to train. He is moderately curious and not annoying in communication. Perfectly adapted to life, both in the city and in the countryside. Although in rural areas, especially when living on a farm, he is able to bring much greater benefits to his owner. However, the dog perfectly adapts to any conditions of detention, both in a country house and in an apartment.
The Irish Soft Coated Terrier is a truly hassle-free dog, calm and self-possessed, obedient and responsible, capable of being a wonderful friend and reliable companion for its owner of all ages and sexes.
Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Health
The main merit of the centuries-old "folk selection" that actually formed the breed is that "wheats" have very, very good health and fairly strong immunity to many dog "sores".
But, nevertheless, they also have a number of breed predispositions such as nephropathy and enteropathy, renal dysplasia, Addison's disease and bowel cancer. There is also a predisposition to food allergies and atopic dermatitis.
The average lifespan of wheaten terrier dogs is 11-13 years.
Irish Wheaten Terrier Care Tips
Grooming for dogs of this breed is quite standard: it is necessary to comb the dog at least 2-3 times a week; bathe - as it gets dirty and cut - at least once every 3-4 months.
Also, the animal is not pretentious in nutrition. Eating industrially manufactured feeds of holistic or premium classes, in accordance with the norms and recommendations of nutritionists, are quite suitable for this dog.
Features of training and education of the Irish Terrier
Wheat Terriers are very intelligent and docile dogs, attentive and disciplined. They lend themselves well to training. Therefore, the owners never have difficulties with their upbringing, which allows them to train them even on their own, without resorting to professional cynologists.
Interesting facts about the Irish Wheaten Terrier
When registering the breed in the Studbook of the Irish Kennel Club in 1937, the natural question arose as to what name the new breed should be recorded under. The original proposal from the creators of the dog to name the breed "Irish Wheat Terrier" was rejected by the management of the club. In those years, too many terriers that exist in Ireland had a coat of this color (the color was universal, allowing the terrier to get close to the game unnoticed). Moreover, at that time in the main pedigree book of dogs in Ireland, as many as two types of terriers with a wheaten coat had already been entered - the Irish Terrier and the Glen of Imaal Terrier.
Ultimately, the issue with the name was resolved on the basis of the following considerations. Since the Irish Terrier had a hard coat, and the Glen of Imaal Terrier, although it had similar fur in structure and color, but radically differed in its short-legged exterior from the new breed of dogs, it was decided to name the breed somewhat long and fancifully "Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier" … Which means "Irish Soft Coated Wheat Terrier" in Russian. Under this name, new cute dogs entered the official canine world.
Price when buying an Irish Wheaten Terrier puppy
More recently, in Russia, the breed of terriers with soft wheat wool was almost unknown. But since 2001, the situation began to change dramatically, and now the breeding nurseries of these well-bred and kind-hearted dogs have a fairly wide geography of distribution. There are especially many breeders of these dogs in the area of the capital cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg. The Far East and the Urals are well covered. There are nurseries in Kaliningrad and Volgograd.
Therefore, the acquisition of a pedigree puppy "wheat" is not difficult now, as it was 5-10 years ago. Accordingly, the prices for puppies have dropped significantly and are in the range of 300-500 US dollars. Of course, show-class puppies will cost much more.
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