Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 16

The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, also called a Wheaten or Wheaten Terrier, originated in Ireland over 200 years ago. They were bred to be an all-purpose farm dog and were commonly found watching and guarding livestock, herding, and serving as vermin control.

Unlike their common ancestors, the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Irish Terrier, the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier didn’t often sit at the side of the gentry or nobility. One of the facts about Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers is that these dogs, at least within Ireland, were referred to as the “Poor Man’s Wolfhound”.

Although the first Wheaten Terriers came to the United States during the 1940s, it took another decade for the breed to catch on and start being developed within the country. The American Kennel Club recognized the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier in 1973 as part of the Terrier Group.

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers are right at home whether they’re out working on the farm or just hanging out with their families. Their working history serves the Wheaten well in canine sport competitions and they can also be found working as therapy dogs.