Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of GB IDENTIFYING A SOFT

IDENTIFYING
A
SOFT-COATED WHEATEN TERRIER
Wheaten with
a full tail
CONTACTS :
‘Wheaten Health Initiative’
Secretary
Mrs. Kate Watkins
Tel: 01543 684864
E-mail: wheatenhealth@aol.com
www.wheatenhealthinitiative.com
Old Wheaten
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Identifying a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier (SCWT),
from other breeds, especially one that is a stray can be
difficult. The lack of grooming, or improper grooming,
combined with varied coat textures and colour can
totally obscure the typical Wheaten image. This leaflet
shows the condition that some can get in. It is hoped
that this will help identify Wheatens that are in need of
rescue.
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
Club of GB
Seretary
Mrs. Linda Salisbury
Tel: 01246 270246
Email: sec.scwt@hotmail.co.uk
www.wheaten.org.uk
Irish type Wheaten
Puppies
Rescue/Rehome
Mr. Rob Watkins
Tel: 01543 684864
E-mail: rgwatkins34@gmail.com
Irish Wheaten
Sincere thanks to Gwen Arthur and
‘Wheatens in Need Rescue’ USA
for the idea for this brochure
RESCUE INFORMATION
© Produced for ‘WHI’ by Barbara Penney - 2013
IDENTIFYING A SOFT-COATED WHEATEN TERRIER . . . . .
EYES, NOSE & NAILS. The eyes are generally dark but may be hidden by the coat. The nose is big and black. Nails are black.
Variations: Wheatens can have golden brown eyes, the nose can be faded, i.e. greyish,and nails can be light or brown.
COAT. The coat is generally wheaten-coloured, soft and wavy. It is non-shedding.
Variations: It can be so light that it appears to be white or grey, may be profuse or sparse, straight or curly and may also have grey hairs in body coat.
The texture can range from silky to coarse and cottony. The coat may be profuse or sparse, straight or curly, or it may even be totally matted in clumps.
Ears and muzzle may be black or grey.
TAIL. The Wheaten tail was originally customarily docked and erect, but many now have a full tail.
Variations: Some undocked tails can resemble the tail of a Golden Retriever, or may be carried over the back.
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT. The weight is generally 30-40 lbs. The height generally 17-19" at the withers with the female being at the lower end of the scale.
THE TOTALLY UNCARED FOR WHEATEN
‘Frosty’ after his haircut
THE SHAGGY WHEATEN
THE SOFT-COATED WHEATEN TERRIER
Some of the matts
on Frosty were
30cm x 30cm
It was impossible
to distinguish
what sex he was!
He had to be
completely shorn
off.
General Appearance . . .
Can sometimes
resemble a
sheepdog
Note the big black nose
The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is a mediumsized, hardy, well-balanced, sporting terrier,
square in outline. He is normally recognised by
his soft, silky, gently waving coat of warm
wheaten colour 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 wellcoordinated.
THE IMPROPERLY TRIMMED WHEATEN
IN CONCLUSION . . .
THE TOTALLY SHEARED
WHEATEN
This sheared body shows
the classic terrier structure,
terrier head and
wheaten colour.
The body was sheared,
but the hair left long on
the head, ears and tail.
The head can resemble
that of a Bichon,
obscuring the long terrier
nose.
The ears can resemble
those of a spaniel, and
the tail that of a poodle
A Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier can vary
significantly from the image that we know, and
suspecting a SCWT in distress warrants close
attention.
W.H.I and the SCWT Club of GB would rather
receive a call about a Wheaten that turned out
not to be one than to have a Wheaten be
unidentified as such.
A list of names of those willing to take on a
rescue Wheaten is held by the Secretary of the
SCWT Club of GB, and assistance will be
provided in finding a suitable home.