Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Puppies for Sale
Recognized by: AKC, FCI, KC, UKC
About the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a happy, friendly, medium-sized Irish farm dog wrapped in a soft, silky, gently waving coat the color of ripening wheat. Bred as an all-purpose farm worker for herding, guarding, and ridding the property of vermin, the Wheaten blends classic terrier spirit with an unusually warm, people-loving disposition. He greets life, and most strangers, with exuberant joy, famous for the bouncy Wheaten greeting. The distinctive coat is low-shedding but demands diligent brushing and regular trimming to prevent matting. Sturdy, playful, and just stubborn enough to remind you he is a terrier, he makes an affectionate family companion for owners willing to keep up with grooming and provide steady, positive training.
Every dog is an individual — genetics, socialization, health, training, and environment matter more than breed averages.
Typical tendencies
Scored against PuppyList’s editorial rubric. Tendencies, not guarantees.
Exercise needsTypical
Energy levelHigher than most
TrainabilityTypical
Grooming effortHigher than most
SheddingLower than most
BarkingTypical
Apartment fitTypical
Good with childrenHigher than most
Good with other dogsTypical
First-time ownersTypical
1 active listing
Search all puppies →Available now in:Florida (1)Related breeds:WhoodleWheaten PeiKerry WheatenHusky WheatenCocker Wheaten
Where this breed shines
- Friendly, exuberant, and affectionate, generally good with children and other dogs
- Low-shedding coat that many allergy-conscious owners tolerate better than heavy shedders
- Adaptable, sturdy size that fits a range of active households
Things to consider
- Soft, silky coat mats easily and needs frequent brushing plus regular professional trimming
- Retains a terrier stubborn streak, so training takes patience and consistency
- Prone to serious protein-losing kidney and gut diseases that warrant lifelong monitoring
History
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is an old Irish breed, kept for generations as a versatile poor man's farm dog that herded, guarded, and hunted vermin. It shares ancestry with Ireland's other terriers, including the Kerry Blue and Irish Terrier, and was not formally recognized in Ireland until 1937. The AKC admitted the breed to the Terrier Group in 1973.
Temperament
Wheatens are cheerful, friendly, and affectionate, typically greeting people and other dogs with enthusiasm rather than the sharpness seen in some terriers. They are alert and playful, retaining a self-confident, occasionally stubborn terrier streak. Devoted to their families, they respond best to patient, reward-based training and thrive on companionship.
Questions to ask a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier breeder
- Do the parents have normal urine protein-to-creatinine ratios and albumin levels, with ongoing renal monitoring?
- Has the line been screened for protein-losing nephropathy and enteropathy, including the PLN DNA marker?
- Are there any cases of Addison's disease or renal dysplasia in recent generations?
Health considerations to discuss
Protein-losing nephropathy (PLN). Educational, non-diagnostic; PLN DNA marker test plus routine urine protein:creatinine and albumin monitoring
Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). Educational, non-diagnostic; monitor via bloodwork (albumin/protein) and veterinary evaluation of GI signs
Renal dysplasia. Educational, non-diagnostic; discuss family history and kidney screening with breeder and veterinarian
Addison's disease. Educational, non-diagnostic; diagnosed via ACTH stimulation testing when clinical signs appear
Informational only — always consult a veterinarian and ask breeders for documentation. Sources: AKC Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier breed overview · OFA health testing database — written by PuppyList editorial
Questions worth asking about any Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier litter
- Can I see the puppy and its mother — in person or on a live video call?
- What health checks, vaccinations, and vet visits has this litter had?
- How was the litter raised and socialized?
- What paperwork comes with the puppy (health records, registry papers if applicable)?
- What is your deposit, payment, and pickup/transport process?
Frequently asked questions
How do I buy a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier puppy on PuppyList?
Browse the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier listings on this page, open one to see photos, details, and the breeder's information, then contact the breeder directly. PuppyList is a marketplace — you arrange the purchase with the breeder yourself.
How much do Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier puppies cost?
Listed puppies are priced at $800. Each breeder sets their own price, which varies with the puppy's age, lineage, and location.
How can I tell if a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier breeder is trustworthy?
Contact the breeder, ask for recent photos or a video of the actual puppy, and confirm details before you commit. Never send money before verifying. See our listing guidelines for the full buyer-safety checklist.