Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Temperament

A Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is a lively, inquisitive and bouncy dog.  If you don’t enjoy the attentions of a dog, you should be forewarned.  He jumps up and kisses to express his affection and delight – not just to his immediate family, but for anyone welcomed into the family home.  Being so people orientated, a puppy must be carefully home-raised and thoughtfully socialised with sensible, positive training.

A Wheaten Terrier makes a good watchdog, barking to announce the presence of a stranger.  His common sense usually prevents him from being a constant ‘yapper’.  He is defensive without being aggressive, but is usually too ‘people-minded’ to be a true guard dog.

In the past, Wheaten Terriers had strong sporting instincts and excelled as hunters of rats, rabbits, otters and badgers.   They worked any kind of cover, including water and their soft coat was ample protection against the densest undergrowth, into which they could plunge unscathed.

For a terrier they have very soft mouths and have a keen nose for running bird.  Several have been trained to the gun with great success.  These instincts, in today’s Wheaten Terriers, are less strong.

A Wheaten Terrier is less scrappy than many other terriers.  He is a gregarious dog, enthusiastically seeking to play with all the other dogs he meets. He therefore needs much careful early socialisation with other friendly dogs to maintain this happy attitude.