The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, commonly called the Wheaten, is an Irish terrier with a unique coat and joyful temperament that sets it apart from its more reserved terrier cousins. Developed in Ireland as an all-purpose farm dog — guardian, herder, vermin hunter — for over 200 years, the Wheaten was the "poor Irishman’s dog."
Its most distinctive feature is the silky, wavy, single-layer coat in a warm wheat colour. Puppies are born darker (reddish or mahogany) and gradually lighten to their mature wheat shade by age 2 to 3. Medium-sized (17 to 19 inches, 30 to 40 pounds), the Wheaten is larger than most terriers with a solid, athletic build.
The Wheaten is famous for its exuberant greeting — the "Wheaten greetin’" — where it bounds joyfully to greet family and visitors. Unlike many terriers, the Wheaten is less aggressive with other dogs and more open with strangers, making it an exceptional family companion for active households in Montreal, Laval, and Gatineau.
The single-layer coat is hypoallergenic with minimal shedding — a major plus for allergy-prone Quebec families. However, daily brushing is essential to prevent matting. The lack of undercoat makes the Wheaten more sensitive to Quebec winters — a warm coat is recommended in extreme cold. Health-wise, the breed is predisposed to protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) and enteropathy (PLE). In Canada, choose CKC-registered breeders who genetically test for these conditions. Browse our dog listings and visit the Canadian Kennel Club.
