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Breed guide

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Happy Irish terrier. Exuberant, affectionate, hypoallergenic coat. Protein-losing kidney/gut diseases are the breed's real challenge.

AKC Rank

#53

Size

medium (30-40 lbs)

Life Expectancy

12-14 yrs

Activity

high

Feeding a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Irish farm terrier. ~1,000-1,300 kcal/day. Kidney and GI protein-loss diseases are breed-specific diet concerns.

Key nutrients

  • •moderate protein
  • •omega-3
  • •highly digestible

Portion notes: Two meals daily. If PLN/PLE diagnosed: vet-directed prescription diet.

Fresh food picks for Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

Our recommended fresh-food subscriptions for medium dogs.

fresh food

The Farmer's Dog

Fresh, human-grade food portioned for your dog

  • •Human-grade fresh food
  • •Portioned per dog
  • •Vet-developed recipes
  • •50% off first box
See The Farmer's Dog →
fresh food

Ollie

Fresh food with both cooked and baked recipes

  • •Fresh and baked recipes
  • •Turkey, beef, lamb, chicken proteins
  • •Custom portions
  • •60% off first box
See Ollie →
fresh food

Nom Nom

Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing

  • •Pre-portioned pouches
  • •Vet-formulated
  • •Microbiome testing available
  • •50% off first order
See Nom Nom →
fresh food

Spot & Tango

Fresh or UnKibble — whole-food nutrition, your choice

  • •Fresh or UnKibble options
  • •Human-grade ingredients
  • •Shelf-stable storage option
  • •50% off first order
See Spot & Tango →

First-year cost

What a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier actually costs year one

Breed-specific estimate based on size, health concerns, and grooming needs. Excludes purchase/adoption fees (highly variable).

First-year total

$3,245-$7,030

Ongoing years run $2,450-$5,270 (no gear + training one-times).

Food (year one)

Fresh food subscription

$1,450-$2,400

Gear (one-time)

Crate, bed, harness, bowls, toys

$320-$460

Vet care

Wellness + breed-specific

$600-$1,250

Grooming

high grooming needs

$400-$1,200

Training

Puppy class + supplies

$225-$750

Supplements

Breed-matched, optional

$0-$420

Other first-year

Vaccines, neuter, DNA test

$250-$550

Pet insurance (estimate)

Not included above — shown for planning. Breed-risk adjusted.

$644-$1,127/yr

Estimates based on US market averages for medium dogs. Your costs will vary with lifestyle and region.

Supplements for Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

Matched to this breed's common health concerns. All NASC-sealed.

supplements

Zesty Paws Allergy & Immune

Seasonal allergy + immune support chews

  • •NASC Quality Seal
  • •Seasonal allergy support
  • •Salmon oil for skin
  • •Chewable, dogs love them
See Zesty Paws Allergy & Immune →

Supplements support — they don't treat or cure disease. Talk to your vet for anything clinical.

Health concerns to watch

protein-losing nephropathy (PLN)
protein-losing enteropathy (PLE)
Addison's disease
renal dysplasia
food allergies

PLN and PLE are breed-defining diseases — annual urine protein screening recommended.

Silky single coat needs daily brushing + professional grooming every 6-8 weeks.

The 'Wheaten greetin' — they jump to greet everyone. Train early.

Is your Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier scratching?

Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are prone to skin and allergy issues. Take our 2-minute itch triage quiz.

Start the quiz →

Gear for Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.

Crate

for Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

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Harness

for Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

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Bed

for Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

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Collar

for Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

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Leash

for Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

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Slow feeder bowl

for Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

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Chew toy

for Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

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As an Amazon Associate, Barkly earns from qualifying purchases.

Training for Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

Matched to Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier temperament (friendly, happy, deeply devoted).

training

BAXTER & Bella

Online puppy training program, lifetime access

  • •Lifetime membership
  • •Self-paced video lessons
  • •Puppy + adult content
  • •Behavior troubleshooting
See BAXTER & Bella →
training

GoodPup

1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers

  • •1-on-1 live video sessions
  • •Certified trainers
  • •Custom per-dog plan
  • •Weekly structure
See GoodPup →
training

Dogo

App-based training with daily structure

  • •App-based daily plans
  • •AI-guided feedback
  • •Affordable monthly cost
  • •Trick training library
See Dogo →

GPS trackers for Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.

gps tracker

Fi

Smart collar with GPS + activity tracking

  • •Real-time GPS
  • •Activity + sleep tracking
  • •Escape alerts
  • •3-month battery
See Fi →
gps tracker

Tractive

Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range

  • •Attaches to any collar
  • •Worldwide GPS coverage
  • •Activity monitoring
  • •Budget-friendly
See Tractive →

Curious about their DNA?

Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.

dna

Embark

The most comprehensive dog DNA test

  • •350+ breeds identified
  • •250+ health conditions screened
  • •Cornell-partnered science
  • •Relatives finder
See Embark →
dna

Wisdom Panel

Breed identification + health screening

  • •350+ breeds
  • •Genetic health insights
  • •Budget-friendly option
  • •Fast results
See Wisdom Panel →

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier questions, answered

How long do Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers live?▾
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers typically live 12-14 years. Good nutrition, regular vet care, and weight management are the three biggest factors in reaching the top of that range.
How big do Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers get?▾
Adult Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers typically weigh 30-40 lbs and stand 17-19 inches at the shoulder. That makes them a medium breed.
How much exercise does a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier need?▾
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are a high-activity breed. Plan on 60-120 minutes of vigorous exercise per day. Mental stimulation (training, puzzle toys) matters as much as physical exercise.
What health problems do Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers commonly have?▾
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are most prone to: protein-losing nephropathy (PLN), protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), Addison's disease, renal dysplasia, food allergies. Preventive vet visits, a quality diet, and weight management reduce risk on most of these. Reputable breeders screen for the genetic conditions.
Are Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers hard to groom?▾
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers need high grooming — daily brushing, regular professional grooming (every 4-8 weeks), coat maintenance. Their long coat requires daily attention to prevent matting.
What should I feed a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?▾
Irish farm terrier. ~1,000-1,300 kcal/day. Kidney and GI protein-loss diseases are breed-specific diet concerns. Key nutrients to look for: moderate protein, omega-3, highly digestible.
Are Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers good for first-time owners?▾
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are generally suitable for first-time owners with basic commitment. They're friendly, happy, deeply devoted. Plan for consistent training from day one.

Ask Barkly about your Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

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