Vermilion Kennels

Pictures of Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a people pleasing terrier, long in leg, and great in spirit! Wheatens are know for their greetings and anyone contemplating owning one must understand this!

Wheatens come in two coat types. The dominant type is the Irish coat while the American coat is recessive. The Irish coat is found predominantly in dogs of European ancestry but there are now many in North America. Irish or American coated, they are the same dog and the differences are attributed to variations in breeding choices rather than differences in breed.

When contemplating the purchase of a Wheaten care must be taken in selecting a breeder. The breeder you choose should be one you feel you can have a working relationship with for the life of your dog. Not that your breeder will be there telling you what to do or not do with you dog but your breeder has taken great care in breeding the pup you get and your input as to the temperament, type and health of you dog is essential to his/her future breeding choices.

Wheatens are easily trained and will easily train their humans, if you don’t watch out! Many a Wheaten owner had thrown up their hands thinking their dog just won’t catch on to what they are being taught. In actuality the opposite is true…..the owner is being manipulated by the dog and the owner is quite well trained in the eyes of the dog! Care must be taken to talk to the Wheaten in dog talk! We suggest that all our pups take their owners to dog obedience classes for at least one ten week session. More training of the human might be necessary and we are willing to discuss this with you at any time.

Wheatens are long haired dogs who need frequent grooming. They are considered very high maintenance but they do not shed at all. Instead, the coat remains on the dog when hairs fall out and must be combed or brushed out frequently to avoid matting. Irish coats are much easier to care for than American coats but even a neglected Irish coat can be a matted mess. Wheatens also need frequent bathing, unlike most other breeds and this should begin as a pup so they are accustomed to it!

Wheaten personalities are also quite different from many breeds. They are very loving and affectionate, often appearing needy, sometimes shy. They should never be aggressive, however, a Wheaten should never back down from a fight! They get along well with other dogs and early spay/neutering will help assure that they are lovely pets not given to more aggressive mating habits. They are good with children, however, they need protection FROM children. Like all dogs they can be harmed by children or teens who are allowed to tease, bully, or abuse dogs.

I have litters of full Irish and mixed American and Irish lines. My main concern is physical and mental health of the dogs and I truly appreciate feedback from pet owners. It will help future generations and is the only way I will see problems.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Breed Standard

General Appearance
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium-sized, hardy, well balanced sporting terrier, square in outline. He is distinguished by his soft, silky, gently waving coat of warm wheaten color and his particularly steady disposition. The breed requires moderation both in structure and presentation, and any exaggerations are to be shunned. He should present the overall appearance of an alert and happy animal, graceful, strong and well coordinated.

Size, Proportion, Substance
A dog shall be 18 to 19 inches at the withers, the ideal being 18½. A bitch shall be 17 to 18 inches at the withers, the ideal being 17½. Major Faults–Dogs under 18 inches or over 19 inches; bitches under 17 inches or over 18 inches. Any deviation must be penalized according to the degree of its severity. Square in outline. Hardy, well balanced. Dogs should weigh 35-40 pounds; bitches 30-35 pounds.

Head
Well balanced and in proportion to the body. Rectangular in appearance; moderately long. Powerful with no suggestion of coarseness. Eyes dark reddish brown or brown, medium in size, slightly almond shaped and set fairly wide apart. Eye rims black. Major Fault–Anything approaching a yellow eye. Ears small to medium in size, breaking level with the skull and dropping slightly forward, the inside edge of the ear lying next to the cheek and pointing to the ground rather than to the eye. A hound ear or a high-breaking ear is not typical and should be severely penalized. Skull flat and clean between ears. Cheekbones not prominent. Defined stop. Muzzle powerful and strong, well filled below the eyes. No suggestion of snipiness. Skull and foreface of equal length. Nose black and large for size of dog. Major Fault–Any nose color other than solid black. Lips tight and black. Teeth large, clean and white; scissors or level bite. Major Fault–Undershot or overshot.

Neck, Topline, Body
Neck medium in length, clean and strong, not throaty. Carried proudly, it gradually widens, blending smoothly into the body. Back strong and level. Body compact; relatively short coupled. Chest is deep. Ribs are well sprung but without roundness. Tail is docked and well set on, carried gaily but never over the back.

Forequarters
Shoulders well laid back, clean and smooth; well knit. Forelegs straight and well boned. All dewclaws should be removed. Feet are round and compact with good depth of pad. Pads black. Nails dark.

Hindquarters
Hind legs well developed with well bent stifles turning neither in nor out; hocks well let down and parallel to each other. All dewclaws should be removed. The presence of dewclaws on the hind legs should be penalized. Feet are round and compact with good depth of pad. Pads black. Nails dark.

Coat
A distinguishing characteristic of the breed which sets the dog apart from all other terriers. An abundant single coat covering the entire body, legs and head; coat on the latter falls forward to shade the eyes. Texture soft and silky with a gentle wave. In both puppies and adolescents, the mature wavy coat is generally not yet evident. Major Faults–Woolly or harsh, crisp or cottony, curly or standaway coat; in the adult, a straight coat is also objectionable.

Presentation–For show purposes, the Wheaten is presented to show a terrier outline, but coat must be of sufficient length to flow when the dog is in motion. The coat must never be clipped or plucked. Sharp contrasts or stylizations must be avoided. Head coat should be blended to present a rectangular outline. Eyes should be indicated but never fully exposed. Ears should be relieved of fringe, but not taken down to the leather. Sufficient coat must be left on skull, cheeks, neck and tail to balance the proper length of body coat. Dogs that are overly trimmed shall be severely penalized.

Color
Any shade of wheaten. Upon close examination, occasional red, white or black guard hairs may be found. However, the overall coloring must be clearly wheaten with no evidence of any other color except on ears and muzzle where blue-gray shading is sometimes present. Major Fault–Any color save wheaten. Puppies and Adolescents–Puppies under a year may carry deeper coloring and occasional black tipping. The adolescent, under two years, is often quite light in color, but must never be white or carry gray other than on ears and muzzle. However, by two years of age, the proper wheaten color should be obvious.

Gait
Gait is free, graceful and lively with good reach in front and strong drive behind. Front and rear feet turn neither in nor out. Dogs who fail to keep their tails erect when moving should be severely penalized.

Temperament
The Wheaten is a happy, steady dog and shows himself gaily with an air of self-confidence. He is alert and exhibits interest in his surroundings; exhibits less aggressiveness than is sometimes encouraged in other terriers. Major Fault–Timid or overly aggressive dogs.

Approved February 12, 1983
Reformatted July 20, 1989

As a member of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America since 1988, I am bound by the following Code of Ethics: Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America
CODE OF ETHICS

1. General Conduct.

As a member of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America, Inc (SCWTCA), I

* A) Consider the welfare of the breed and refrain from actions contrary to the best interests of the breed or the Club.
* B) Give my dogs an appropriate physical and social environment, including but not limited to veterinarian-supervised health care, good nutrition and regular exercise and grooming.
* C) Am in good standing with The American Kennel Club (AKC). I accept and support the Constitution and Bylaws of SCWTCA.
* D) Demonstrate courtesy and fairness when participating in all canine activities.
* E) Am responsible for the behavior of my dogs, so they reflect the best possible image of the Wheaten.
* F) Promote responsible dog ownership.
* G) Help educate the public by providing current and accurate resources and information on the breed characteristics, general well being, grooming, health and training of Wheatens.
* H) Agree to be open and honest in all matters regarding my Wheatens and the breed in general.
* I) Advertise factually and honestly about Wheatens.
* J) Belong to the Open Registry.
* K) Understand that violation of this COE can subject me to the disciplinary process provided by the SCWTCA Constitution and Bylaws.

2. Breeding Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers.

As a breeder of Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers, I:

* A) Only breed dogs whose progeny are eligible for AKC registration.
* B) Breed for the characteristics set forth in the Official Standard of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (“The Standard”).
* C) Use only breeding stock

* 1) With sound temperament,

* 2) In good health,
* 3) With no known hereditary or congenital diseases, and
* 4) Test free of parasites and communicable diseases.

# D) Breed only mature dogs and bitches.

* 1) I only breed bitches who are 18 months of age or older. If I breed a bitch on two successive seasons or twice within 12 months, I do not breed her during her next two seasons or 12-month period.
* 2) I only breed dogs who are 18 months of age or older.

# E) Do not breed any individual dog or bitch excessively.
# F) Am knowledgeable about the genetic diseases affecting Wheatens and work to manage these and other diseases.

* 1) My breeding stock over two years of age is OFA certified for hips or meets the average mean for SCWT using PennHIP. Any breeding stock under two years of age is OFA Preliminary evaluated for hips or meets the average mean for SCWT using PennHIP.
* 2) My breeding stock’s eyes are examined by a Board certified ophthalmologist prior to the first breeding and a minimum of every two years thereafter while being bred or until age 10, whichever is later; dogs whose semen has been frozen are tested for life or until frozen semen is no longer stored.
* 3) My breeding stock undergoes blood and urine testing, including blood chemistry panel, CBC, urinalysis and urine protein/creatinine ratio before the first breeding and at least annually thereafter.
* 4) I keep accurate health records on my breeding stock.

# G) Use a written stud dog contract for each breeding.
# H) Participate in conformation events held by AKC-recognized clubs as one means to evaluate breeding stock.
# I) Mentor those with whom I place breeding stock.

3. Placing Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

As an owner, breeder or member who places Wheatens in new homes, I:

* A) Make careful placements of all Wheatens I have bred, acquired or rescued and assist in any necessary re-homings.
* B) Neither place Wheatens with nor provide stud dog service to:

* 1) Pet dealers,
* 1) Wholesalers,
* 2) Brokers,
* 3) Laboratories,
* 4) Individuals conducting raffles, contests, auctions, or other types of giveaways, or
* 5) Anyone unethical in their dealings with the public or their dealings with or treatment of purebred dogs.

# C) Only place Wheatens who are in good health, of sound temperament and in good condition at the time of delivery. I attest they are free of internal parasites and are protected against disease according to current veterinary practice.
# D) Require that:

* 1) Non-breeding dogs be spayed or neutered,
* 2) Owners advise me of any health problems, physical abnormalities and/or death of the dog and
* 3) Owners advise me of their intent to place or give up the dog.

# E) Provide new owners at the time of placement with

* 1) AKC or Canadian Kennel Club registration transfer or application form; for non-breeding dogs, I provide for either limited or non-breeding registrations or withhold registration papers until proof of spaying or neutering has been received,
* 2) An accurate 4-generation pedigree,
* 3) Complete medical records,
* 4) Complete written instructions on feeding, health care, training and grooming, and
* 5) A written contract or bill of sale

# F) Support new owners with advice, resources and information.

4. Competing with Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

As an owner or handler of a Wheaten at any dog event, I:

* A) Am responsible for the dog’s well being, conduct and appearance.
* B) Compete with dogs that reflect the best possible image of the Wheaten.

* 1) In conformation events, my dogs conform as closely as possible to the breed Standard as approved in the country of exhibition.
* 2) In companion dog events, my dogs are neat, clean and in appropriate condition for their sport.

# C) Conduct myself in a professional and sportsmanlike manner at dog events and at public facilities supporting those events, reflecting the best possible image of participants in the sport of purebred dogs.
# D) Assist newcomers interested in learning about or participating in events.

Adopted November 2002; © Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America, Inc.