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                        SOFT COATED WHEATEN TERRIERS
                                       
Author

   Mike Slepian, slepian@nb.net
   Send comments or questions to author or Sharon Meerbaum,
   sombmra@aol.com
   
   Most of this information is gathered from the resources listed below,
   not from personal experience. There are no guarantees in life and
   certainly none concerning the accuracy of what follows. OTOH, I've
   tried to make the information as accurate as possible so please
   contact me with any corrections or suggestions. I'd like to thank all
   the Soft Coated Wheaten owners and lovers who reviewed this FAQ, as
   well as Cindy Tittle Moore -- pet-lover extraordinaire.
   
   Copyright 1995 by Mike Slepian (last updated May 1996). Single copies
   may be downloaded and printed for individual use only. NOTE: Soft
   Coated Wheaten Rescue organizations may freely give a copy with each
   dog they place.
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Table of Contents

     * General Description
     * History
     * Frequently Asked Questions
     * The Standard
     * Medical Information
     * Resources
     * Clubs
     * Rescue
     * Breeders
       
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
General Description

   The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (SCWT) is, as the name implies, a
   wheaten-colored terrier with a soft (open) coat. It is a shaggy blond
   dog of medium size that does not shed. It is, however, much more than
   the previous two simple sentences can convey. This breed truly offers
   something for everyone. Anyone who has seen a well-groomed SCWT will
   acknowledge the beauty of its coat -- abundant, medium long and
   falling in waves that range from shimmering reddish gold to a gold so
   light it is nearly silver and which ripples and shines with the play
   of the muscles beneath. The breed has the stamina, strength, gameness,
   joy-of-life, and intelligence (stubbornness?) of its terrier heritage.
   True to its development as an Irish farm dog, the breed is steadier
   than most terriers and intensely loyal to its human family. It is a
   dog that has not been overly refined; it retains the air of a country
   gentlemen with courage and power balanced by intelligence, gaiety, and
   gentleness.
   
   The Wheaten Terrier is distinctive: he has a compact, well-knit body
   expressive of agile strength and power. His average height is 18.5
   inches and he usually weighs from 30 to 45 pounds (bitches about 10%
   small er). Wheatens have a deep chest and well-sprung ribs. They have
   straight forelegs and powerful hind legs, bent at the stifles with
   hocks well let down. The tail is customarily docked to a length of 3-5
   inches. The ears are smallish, set at the topskull level, carried in
   front and dropped (they may have blue-gray shading). Their eyes are
   dark reddish brown or brown, slightly almond-shaped, and medium-sized
   -- yet seem larger due to black coloring of the eyerims. The eyes gaze
   at you from beneath a curtain of bangs which naturally fall forward
   over the eyes to shade and protect them. The muzzl e is relatively
   short for a terrier with a definite stop and crowned by a large black
   nose.
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
History

   The origins of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are a bit misty, but
   the breed is thought to date back over 200 years. With the historical
   Irish emphasis on oral traditions over written ones, it is not too
   surprising that the history of terriers belonging to farmers and the
   poorer folk is not well documented. References place long-legged
   terriers with open coats and wheaten color in the areas around Cork
   and Wicklow (southern Ireland) as well as around Ballymena (northern
   Ireland). These were general purpose farmers' dogs -- a hard life
   requiring solid, intelligent dogs with enough size to enforce
   authority, but not so large that upkeep was expensive. He was the
   enemy of all vermin, would guard the family larder, could herd sheep
   and cattle and would patrol the boundaries of the small farms to warn
   off trespassers. He could also be used as a hunting dog and was
   capable of tracking otter and badgers, taking them both on land and
   water. Some old-timers referred to him as "... the best dog ever for
   poaching." In short, he was a strong, medium sized dog of great
   intelligence and versatility.
   
   The modern history of the breed is closely related to that of
   Ireland's other two breeds of long legged terriers, the Irish and
   Kerry Blue Terriers (IT and KBT respectively). Native wheaten terriers
   are thought to be important in the origin of both breeds. Indeed, an
   origin legend of the KBT has a blue dog swimming ashore after a
   shipwreck and breeding with existing wheaten colored terriers to begin
   the breed (the wrecked ship was either from the Spanish Armada, a
   Russian fisherman, or a Portuguese fishermen -- take your pick). Irish
   terriers were first shown as a distinct class at dog shows in Dublin
   in the 1870's. A reporter of an 1876 show stated about Irish Terriers
   that "Prizes had gone to long legs, short legs, hard coats, soft
   coats, thick skulls, long thin skulls, and some prize winners were
   mongrels." The first standard for Irish Terriers was not drawn up
   until 1880. At that time terriers of the same general size, but with
   open or soft coats were still often benched with the Irish Terriers.
   Included in these soft coated varieties were dogs with silver, gray,
   blue, and wheaten colors. The KBT was separated out as a distinct
   breed during the time period between 1914 and 1922 and actually the
   breed's early popularity centered in England where the modern style of
   trimming Kerries was developed and the breed was refined.
   Interestingly enough, the Kerry Blue is still shown untrimmed in
   Ireland where it is called the Irish Blue Terrier.
   
   The Wheaten did not prick the interest of dog fanciers as early as did
   its two close cousins. As times changed during the early part of this
   century and travel improved, the number of pure specimens declined and
   the breed almost vanished. The turning point for the breed was a
   terrier field trial in 1932 where a Wheaten terrier performed
   exceptionally well. Patrick Blake, a noted fancier of Kerry Blues, was
   very impressed and he became convinced that the breed should be
   rescued from obscurity/extinction. He prevailed upon his friend Dr. G.
   J. Pierse to start a club for the breed and sponsor it for recognition
   by the Irish Kennel Club. Good specimens of the breed were still to be
   found and the breed began to prosper. Recognition by the Irish Kennel
   Club was achieved in 1937 and they were first officially presented at
   an Irish Kennel Club show in Dublin on St. Patrick's Day. At that time
   a certificate of gameness was required to achieve a conformation
   championship. One controversy at the time the breed was recognized was
   what name to give the breed. The first thought was to use Irish
   Wheaten Terrier. This suggestion was vehemently opposed by two
   already-recognized Irish breeds -- Irish Terrier and Glen of Imaal
   Terrier (GofIT is a short legged terrier named for the area where it
   was developed). Both of these breeds included wheaten as an acceptable
   color. At the time, the wheaten color was actually preferred for ITs.
   The IT standard no longer includes wheaten, but the color is still
   part of the GofIT standard (GofIT's are recognized by the IKC, the
   KC(GB), the FCI, but not by the AKC). Since both the IT and GofIT have
   hard coats, the rather mouth-filling name of Soft-Coated Wheaten
   Terrier was reached as a compromise (the hyphen was officially dropped
   in the US in 1989).
   
   The first record of Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers being imported into
   the US was by Lydia Vogel who imported a breeding pair in November of
   1947. Although she successfully showed her dogs in AKC shows under the
   Miscellaneous Class, there were not enough dogs or interest to receive
   AKC recognition. Ten years later, the O'Connor family of Brooklyn
   imported a dog from Maureen Holmes, one of the most influential Irish
   breeders of SCWTs. The O'Connors had become interested in the breed
   after falling in love with the 'shaggy dog look' shown in a picture of
   one of the Vogel dogs. The O'Connors began showing their dog and
   became interested in achieving AKC recognition. They tracked down
   descendants of the Vogel pair and, with the help of Maureen Holmes,
   other Irish imports. On March 17 (1962), again a great day for any
   Irish dog, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America was formed.
   At the time there were thought to be less than 30 Wheatens in the
   country. A stud book registry was started in 1965 and by 1968 there
   were 250 registered SCWTs. The first club matches were held in 1970
   and 1971. The AKC admitted the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier to the
   Terrier Group on March 13, 1973. Popularity has continued to grow and
   by the early '90s the breed was the seventh most popular terrier and
   over 2,000 puppies were registered yearly with the AKC. The breed's
   rapidly increasing popularity has led to concerns over puppy-mills and
   careless backyard breeding. Prospective owners should carefully
   research the origin of puppies as well as the seriousness and
   qualifications of the breeder.
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Frequently Asked Questions

   Is that a blond sheepdog? ... blond schnauzer?, blond kerry blue?
   
     In the unclipped condition there is some surface similarity to a
     small Old English Sheepdog or Briard, but the dogs are really quite
     different. With more of a show clip there is a good deal of
     structural resemblance to the Kerry Blue Terrier since the two
     breeds are related (see section on breed history). Although this
     breed is steadily increasing in popularity, it is still a fairly
     rare breed and will be unfamiliar to most people.
     
   Are they good with children?
   
     Yes, they are generally very good with children and seem to have an
     instinctive tolerance for children's rough play without showing
     aggressiveness. They are sturdy dogs and not easily injured.
     Wheatens are also good with the sick and elderly and have been
     successful as therapy dogs. Wheaten puppies (up until close to two
     years old) deserve an extra comment since they, like puppies from
     most breeds, will do some chewing and biting. Coupled with natural
     dominance games of puppies, these energetic pups may be a bit much
     for very young or very passive children. Like all breeds, they need
     socialization with both humans and other dogs plus training to reach
     their true potential as companions.
     
     However, they are dogs with the instincts of dogs: children should
     not be left unattended with any type of dog!
     
   Do Wheatens shed? Are they hypo-allergenic?
   
     All dogs shed, but the Wheaten is a single-coated dog and generally
     sheds very little. They do not seasonally "blow" coat as do many
     other breeds, but they do need regular brushing to remove dead hairs
     and prevent matting.
     
     Wheatens often appear on lists of dogs which are good for people
     with allergies because of their non-shedding coat. However, many
     allergies result from exposure to dog's dander, saliva, or natural
     oils rather than hair and Whe atens produce all of these. Each
     person's allergies are different so a person who suffers from
     allergies should visit a breeder and spend some time with the dogs
     at close quarters. If no reaction results, Wheatens may be a good
     choice.
     
   Does this breed require lots of grooming? 
   
     In a word, yes! Wheatens need about as much grooming as poodles.
     They require regular brushing, several times a week to prevent
     matting (daily is better). In addition, they may need to be trimmed
     or tidied up four to six times a year. Show dogs should be
     professionally groomed, but a pet owner can learn the techniques if
     one wants to invest in the thinning shears and clippers (and time).
     
     The fur should not be continually clipped short to avoid grooming
     responsibilities since the dog's coat does serve some useful
     purposes, notably protection and insulation. The coat protects the
     dog from cold weather and moisture as well as from incidental
     contact with bushes, branches, and plants. It is thought that having
     the fur cover the eyes shades them from the sun like a golfer's hat.
     Clipping the fur too short, too often, will cause a change in the
     coat's texture and it will lose its silky shine.
     
   What about exercise requirements?
   
     The Wheaten is an active breed, and requires regular exercise. A
     fenced yard where they can run is ideal. Daily walks should also be
     provided. Any dogs without enough exercise will find other, more
     destructive, outlets for their energy.
     
   Is this a good breed for first time dog owners? 
   
     In a word, maybe! These are delightful dogs, good with families, and
     very adaptable. On the other hand they require a good deal of effort
     and commitment from the owner, perhaps more than most breeds.
     Between the need for exercise, socialization, and grooming; a
     commitment for many hours of attention a week may be needed for the
     next 15 years. Many responsible terrier breeders are reluctant to
     place dogs with first time dog owners.
     
     Dog ownership, in general, should not be entered into lightly and
     this breed is no exception.
     
   Are they good with other pets?
   
     Wheatens are probably the most social breed of terriers. They
     display little dog-dog aggressiveness and are less territorial as
     well. They will get along with other household pets, especially if
     the introductions and adjustments take place while the dog is young.
     
   Are they indoor or outdoor dogs?
   
     Although they were originally developed as farm dogs, they do best
     when housed indoors and treated as one of the family. These are
     people dogs and will always want to be where the family is. They
     will not do as well in outside kenneling situations and most
     breeders recommend that they sleep indoors, in the owner's bedroom.
     
   Can they live in the city?
   
     They make fine dogs for apartment dwellers as long as their exercise
     requirements are met (more walking when there's no yard). Their size
     is convenient, they are exceptionally sociable, and do not disturb
     neighbors with barking. An article in "New York" magazine in 1969?
     billed the Wheaten as "the perfect apartment dog" while a "New
     Yorker" Talk of the Town piece from November 8, 1982 discussed
     meeting a Wheaten on Broadway.
     
   Are these dogs good in cold weather? in hot weather?
   
     Wheatens are good in cooler climates and are popular in such
     northern countries as Canada, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Normal
     cold weather care should be taken, including regular inspection of
     pads for iceballs. As mentioned above, they are mostly indoor dogs
     and most of them enjoy excursions into cold and snowy weather.
     
     They do not do as well in hot weather and may be noticeably less
     active. They should always be given access to both shade (if
     outdoors) and water and strenuous exercise should be avoided.
     Indoors, they may prefer to lie on cool tiles or linoleum, sometimes
     in bathrooms. Trimming the coat slightly shorter is OK, but not so
     much that the sun can reach the skin.
     
   Do they make good obedience dogs?
   
     The Wheaten is very intelligent and a number of dogs have received
     advanced obedience degrees, but they can be stubborn and
     independent. The Wheaten, like most terriers, was bred to work
     independently of human direction. If a dog is nose to nose with a
     badger, it cannot take the time to ask "may I attack now, please, or
     would you prefer me to wait?" Thus, obedience as a formal task is
     rather foreign to the breed, but their loyalty and eagerness to
     please will usually compensate. They are surprisingly sensitive and
     respond best to positive training techniques and many people have
     had good success with clicker training.
     
     All dogs should learn basic good manners and certain general
     behaviors, such as coming when called and walking on a lead. Puppy
     kindergarten training is wonderful socialization for a young dog to
     learn, to avoid dog-aggressiveness later in life. It should be
     followed by a basic obedience course. A new certificate/program of
     the AKC which emphasizes good manners is the Canine Good Citizen
     award.
     
     Wheatens can also perform in competitive obedience such as that
     sponsored by the AKC (most national kennel clubs sponsor some sort
     of obedience competitions). Some 20-40 different Wheatens have
     competed in AKC trials for each of the last five years.
     
   What other activities are there for Wheatens?
   
     Wheatens are intelligent, athletic dogs that can enjoy many
     activities with their owners including hiking and camping. They also
     can compete in more organized activities such as agility and flyball
     where at least two Wheatens have obtained pins as 'Flyball Masters'.
     Because of their background as general purpose dogs, Wheatens are
     not considered specialists and are not permitted in the more
     specialized AKC activities such as sanctioned field, herding, or
     earthdog trials. In some cases they may be able to compete in
     non-sanctioned fun matches. They can compete in tracking trials as
     these trials are considered part of obedience trials.
     
   Do Wheatens bark?/Are they good watchdogs?
   
     They are not, as a rule, given to barking, but they are alert to
     their surroundings and generally will announce visitors. Usually
     when a Wheaten barks, it is best to investigate. They are not
     particularly territorial, but they are very loyal to their family.
     Their size and loyalty will make them good for personal protection,
     but they are much too sociable to be a guard dog.
     
   Are they all the same color?
   
     They are all wheaten in color as the name implies. Wheaten, however
     encompasses a range from almost silver to a reddish gold. Wheatens
     often have blue-gray shading on their ears and beards -- reminding
     us of their link to the Kerry Blue Terrier.
     
   Why don't the puppies look more like the dogs?
   
     There is more variation among puppies in Wheatens (even within a
     single litter) than is common for single colored breeds that breed
     true to type. Puppies can have flat or fluffy coats, hard or soft
     coats, and can be light in color or dark. They can also have black
     tipping, black muzzles, or white blazes on their chests. The adult
     coat texture and color is achieved through gradual changes and
     should be set by the time the dog is two years old. Some adolescents
     will go through a stage where they are much lighter than adult dogs.
     The standard makes allowances for these coat changes.
     
   What is a Wheaten welcome?
   
     They are well known for their habit of introducing themselves to
     strangers (and friends) by jumping straight up and licking people on
     the face or smelling a person's breath. They can be trained not do
     perform this spectacular welcome, but you must start very early and
     be very consistent!
     
   What other types of behavior are typical of Wheatens?
   
     The following list of Wheatie characteristics is taken from
     responses of Wheaten owners to Wheaten-l, a mailing list for Wheaten
     lovers. Not all Wheatens will display all of these traits, but don't
     be surprised if a Wheaten demonstrates any of them. Also, they are
     not all unique to Wheatens.
     * Mad dashes around the house and yard
     * Whirling when feeling happy
     * Jumping on and off furniture rapidly while dashing around
     * Jumping on people
     * Mad, passionate, lightning-fast 'kissing' (your face, ears, hands)
     * Sleeping on back with feet up or body twisted
     * Beard wiping
     * Sleeping across couch cushions
     * Dropping toys behind couch
     * Jumping on and over furniture, over baby gates
     * Resting their head on your knee to get petting (dinner, let out,
       etc.)
     * Dislike of hot weather, with inactivity
     * Play bows when playing with each other
     * Sitting on things like the curb, your foot, etc. (as if it were a
       chair)
     * Putting on a"Camille" act; if you send them away, you can hear
       their little hearts breaking with each step they take! Also known
       as the, 'Pitiful Pearl Act'. They can 'guilt trip' you from 40
       paces.
     * They sit on other dogs in play
     * The ability to dash out any open door or gate (and meet with an
       oncoming car!) at any opportunity.
     * Many (not all, but maybe most) HATE to go out in the rain, but
       LOVE the sno w.
     * Tremendously sensitive to and will reflect your moods. Thrilled
       when you're happy. Sad when you're sad.
     * Hate to be yelled at.
     * Attached to all family members.
     * Friendly and outgoing. They "never met a stranger they didn't
       like"
     * Many are picky eaters.
     * Occassionally stubborn.
     * You don't GREET this dog, you WEAR her for an hour burrowing head
       in the corner of the couch, under the pillows, so that all you see
       is body
     * When walking on a leash, they takes the leash in his mouth and
       hold their head up like they're walking themself.
     * they loves to find sticks when they walk and carry them in their
       mouth like a prized possession.
       
     _________________________________________________________________
   
The Standard

   
   
   The standard of the breed describes the ideal Soft Coated Wheaten
   Terrier, and no one dog lives up perfectly in every regard. In
   general, an SCWT should resemble the standard as closely as possible.
   The closer to perfect, the more likely the dog is to earn a
   championship. A dog can still have major faults and be a good SCWT,
   but should not be used for breeding. Being a good pet is nothing to be
   ashamed of, rather the opposite! With the pet overpopulation problem
   in this country, only the very best representatives of any breed
   should reproduce. This is not just in conformation terms, of course,
   but temperamentally and medically as well.
   
   At the present time there are four standards for the Wheaten; American
   Kennel Club (AKC), Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), Kennel Club of Great
   Britain (KCGB), and the Irish Kennel Club (IKC). Because the breed was
   developed in Ireland, the standard from the IKC is used by the
   Federation of Cynologique Internationale (FCI), the international
   collection of kennel clubs. The four standards are very similar to
   each other, but there are subtle differences. When added to the
   variation of judges' interepretations and preferences, the differences
   in standards may lead to considerable variations in Wheatens around
   the world. The different standards are briefly discussed below and for
   more information contact the FAQ's author.
   
  AKC STANDARD FOR THE SOFT COATED WHEATEN TERRIER
  
   Because of copyright concerns over the collection of all the Standards
   at any single site storing all the faqs, AKC Standards are not
   typically included in the Breed faqs. The reader is referred to the
   publications in the resource section of this document or to the
   National Breed Club for a copy of the AKC Standard. Several sections
   from the AKC standard are summarized in the following paragraphs.
   
   General Appearance/Size
   
   Wheatens are medium-sized, hardy, well-balanced terriers with a square
   outline. They are noted for their soft, silky coat of wheaten color
   which falls in gentle waves and their steady disposition. They should
   be happy, alert, well-conditioned animals that show moderation is
   structure and temperament. Any exaggerations should be avoided. The
   dogs should be 18-19 inches at the withers and weigh in at 35-40
   pounds. Bitches should be about one inch shorter and five pounds
   lighter.
   
   Head
   
   The head is rectangular in shape, well-balanced and in proportion to
   the rest of the body. It should be moderately long with neither
   coarseness nor snippiness. The top of the skull should be flat between
   the ears and there should be a definite stop. The skull and foreface
   should be of equal length. Ears are smallish to medium and break even
   with the top of the skull. They lie alongside the cheek and point to
   the ground. The nose is black and large for the size of dog. The eyes
   are slightly almond-shaped and set fairly wide apart. They should be
   brown or dark reddish-brown with black rims. The teeth are large and
   white and should meet in a level or s cissors bite and be surrounded
   by tight black lips.
   
   Body/Legs
   
   The body is compact and relatively short-coupled with height (to the
   withers) being equal to the length (from the chest). The back is
   strong and level with a medium-length neck. The neck is clean and
   strong, but not throaty and widens as it joins to the body. The ribs
   are well sprung, but not barrel or slab shaped. The chest is deep. The
   tail is docked and set fairly high. It is carried erect, but not over
   the back. The legs are well developed and well knit. The forelegs are
   straight and well-boned while the hindlegs have well bent stifles and
   hocks that are well let down and parallel. All four feet should have
   be round and compact with dark nails and black pads. There should be
   no dewclaws.
   
   Coat
   
   The coat of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is one characteristic
   which sets it apart from other breeds. It is a single coat that
   abundantly covers the entire body including the legs and head. On the
   head it falls forward to cover the eyes. The texture of the coat is
   soft and silky and on the mature dog will have a slight wave (the wave
   will be missing in puppies and adolescents). The correct color is any
   shade of wheaten except on the muzzle and ears where some blue-grey
   shading is allowed. Occasional guard hairs of red, white, or black may
   be seen.
   
   The colors for puppies and adolescents are different. Puppies may be
   darker and even have black tipping. As the puppies go through
   adolescence, they will lighten considerably in color and may become
   nearly white (although white is not acceptable). They will then darken
   again before two years of age by which time they must acquire the
   proper wheaten color.
   
   Presentation/Temperament
   
   When shown, the Wheaten is trimmed to show a terrier outline without
   exaggerated stylization. The head should be blended to give a
   rectangular look with the be ard balancing the fall. Eyes should only
   be indicated, not exposed. The coat is thinned, not clipped or
   plucked, and should be long enough to flow when the dog is in motion.
   The motion should be free and graceful with good front reach and
   strong rear drive. Feet should turn neither in nor out and the tail
   should be carried erect.
   
   The Wheaten terrier is happy dog and should show himself with gaiety
   and self-confidence. He should be alert to what goes on around him yet
   maintain a steady disposition. He is less aggressive than most other
   terriers yet will acquit himself admirably when given the chance to
   face off and spar.
     _________________________________________________________________
   
  STANDARDS IN OTHER COUNTRIES
  
   The FCI standard is the same as that from Ireland, the breed's country
   of origin. Essentially it is the same as that of the US, however, it
   permits the breed to be shown trimmed or untrimmed. For the untrimmed
   dog it states: The coat at its longest not to exceed five inches.
   Abundant and soft, wavy and loosely curled. Abundance not to be
   interpreted as length. Under no circumstances should the coat be
   "fluffed out" like a Poodle or Old English Sheepdog. Dogs in this
   condition to be heavily penalized as they give a wrong impression of
   Type and Breed. In Ireland, the preferred show coat is more open with
   less profuse leg furnishings and has more intense wave and shine than
   in the US.
   
   In England the standard is, again, much the same. The statement for
   neck does differ where it states: Moderately long, strong, muscular
   and slightly arched. Without throatiness. Gradually widening toward,
   and running cleanly into shoulders (emphasis added). The breed is
   shown untrimmed in England.
   
   In some countries, notably Sweden where the breed is fairly popular,
   docking of tails is illegal and the breed is shown with its natural
   tail. The natural tail is carried high, is slightly curved, and
   reaches about the same level as the top of the head.
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Medical Information

   The Wheaten Terrier is a generally healthy dog. They are fairly
   long-lived for a dog of their size and weight and can often reach
   their mid-teens. They also retain their puppy-like behavior longer
   than some breeds: sometimes well over a year. Wheatens can be quite
   sensitive to medications and dosages may be reduced over conventional
   practice. As a result, consultation with the owner's vet is
   recommended.
   
   Because of their long coat, insect bites and allergic reactions are
   not readily apparent and owners must regularly inspect for them --
   particularly in summer. Wheatens paws must be regularly checked. They
   have fast growing nails and somewhat profuse hair growing between
   pads. If either is left to grow too long, an abnormal gait can
   develop. Such a gait can in turn lead to leg damage.
   
   As with all dogs, prospective owners should check with the breeders to
   see that the breeding dog's hips are inspected and certified against
   hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is less of a concern for Wheatens than
   for many other dogs of similar size and weight. Eyes should also be
   certified for Progressive Retinal Atropy (PRA).
   
   There are two more serious concerns that have been identified for
   SCWTs:
   
  SENSITIVITY TO ANESTHESIA
  
   Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are very sensitive to certain
   anesthetics, particularly those with a barbiturate base. In this
   regard they are very much like sight hounds. Any procedure requiring
   an anesthetic should be discussed with the vet to make sure he/she
   understands this sensitivity. The recommended protocol is the
   following:
   
       
     * Preoperative tranquilizing with Acepromazine or Atropine. (Some
       Veterinarians may not choose to use Acepromazine)
       
     * Induction with a combination of Ketamine and Diazepam (Valium)
       administrated intravenously.
       
     * Maintenance of anesthesia with Isofluorane and Oxygen.
       
  PROTEIN AND KIDNEY ABNORMALITIES
  
   It is suspected that Wheatens suffer from a higher than average
   incidence of protein wasting diseases and kidney abnormalities. The
   suspected i ncidence is perhaps up to 15-20% of the breed in the US,
   but may be lower in other countries which have not imported breeding
   stock from the US. The incidence may also be much lower in some areas
   or lines within the US depending on the particular breeder. The
   average onset of these diseases is 4.5 years of age, and food
   allergies (particularly wheat glutens) are thought to be involved.
   There is presently no early test to determine whether a dog will
   develop a protein-losing disease. Active research is underway to
   understand the causes, triggers, and genetic component of
   protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), protein-losing nephropathy (PLN),
   and Renal Dysplasia (RD). Symposiums on this subject are held
   periodically in different locations, e.g. Guelp h Ontario on April 22,
   1995 and at the US National Specialty in King of Prussia PA on October
   4, 1995.
   
   PLE and PLN are both protein-losing diseases, one from the gut (PLE)
   and one from the kidneys (PLN). Both are thought to have some genetic
   component and to be auto-immune problems. PLE has a slightly earlier
   onset (at 4 years) than PLN (at 6 years), but both first appear well
   after the age that most dogs are bred for the first time. This late
   appearence of the diseases coupled with the lack of early tests for
   them make elimination of the diseases quite difficult.
   
   Renal Dysplasia is polycystic kidney disease. There are cysts that
   form on the kidneys and the kidneys are very small. It affects pups
   from birth and they usually die before their first birthday. The
   thinking is that it is inherited, but it isn't known exactly how. Not
   all pups in the same litter will get it -- some will have disease and
   die, some may be carriers and never exhibit the disease, and some may
   be clear and not be carriers or have the disease. A simple
   dominant/recessive pair does not explain the patterns seen in litters.
   Wheatens are not the only breed to suffer from this problem, which is
   also know as Juvenile Renal disease. Susan L. Fleisher has a web
   article on the subject.
   
   Because of these potential health problems, some breeders recommend
   that Wheatens be fed a high-quality, low-protein diet that avoids
   wheat. Also recommended is allowing the dog to urinate frequently to
   avoid stressing the kidneys.
   
   The US National Club has recently begun an Open Registry for genetic
   diseases. The Registry is administered by Dr. Meryl Littman of the
   University of Pennsylvania and is co-sponsored by the Canadian
   National Club. The purpose of the registry is to collect health and
   genetic information on Wheatens affected with genetic diseases,
   particularly PLE, PLN, and RD. Research related to these diseases is
   being carried out by Dr. Shelly Vaden at North Carolina State
   University, Dr. Theresa Fossum at Texas A&M University, and Dr. Brian
   Wilcock at University of Guelph as well as Dr. Littman. Please do not
   contact these doctors directly: have your vet contact them with any
   questions
   
   The AKC Canine Health Foundation has recently funded a research
   project submitted by Dr. Vaden to study the mode of inheritance of
   PLE/PLN in Wheatens. This grant is a matching funds grant so the
   SCWTCA is looking for contributions. The grant plus matching
   contributions will providealmost $100,000 for Dr. Vaden's research The
   major fund raising event for the AKC - Canine Health Foundation Grant
   will be launched during Montgomery weekend, the site of the US
   National Specialty (October 3-6, 1996), and will be a silent auction
   of donated item. In addition, there will be special gifts for
   contibutions of a certain size. If anyone wishes to contribute now and
   not wait for Montgomery the SCWTCA certainly will not complain. Checks
   shou ld be made out to AKC/CHF and one should note on the check memo
   "For Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Research Fund". Checks are to be sent
   to Rosemary Berg, 37953 Center Ridge Rd., No. Ridgeville, OH 44039.
   (Rosemary is SCWTCA Treasurer) She will log all contributions and
   forward them to the Canine Health Foundation (this way we will be able
   to keep track of things). It should be noted that all contributions
   will be TAX DEDUCTABLE (at least in the USA, I'm not sure it would be
   so outside the US).
   
   Prospective buyers should talk to the breeder about whether PLE or PLN
   have shown up in their line. A reputable breeder who truly cares about
   the breed will honestly answer their questions.
   
   For more information contact the breed's parent club in your country
   or this FAQ's author.
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Resources

   The following books are available and contain information that may
   help you evaluate whether the wheaten terrier is the breed for you.
   General books on all dog breeds or all terriers will usually have some
   information on this breed. Thorough research into the breed is vital
   before purchase is contemplated. In addition to the books listed
   below, the US Parent club has several pamphlets on aspects of Whea ten
   ownership.
   
   The Complete Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Roberta A. Vesley, Howell
   Book House, McMillan Publishing Co., New York, 1991
   This book has a very good history of how the modern breed achieved
   recognition, both in its native Ireland and here in the United
   States. It also gives a good deal of information on US breeders (into
   the mid to late '80s).
   
   Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers, Margaret A. O'Connor, T.F.H
   Publications, KW-177, 1990
   The first 31 pages in this book are specific to Wheatens while the
   other 160 pages are general dog information from the publishers. The
   Wheaten section was written by one of the early fanciers in the US
   (there is an earlier, out of print, version of this book entitled How
   to Raise Train a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier dating from 1965).
   
   The Wheaten Years, Maureen Holmes, Alpha Beta Press, Orland Park,
   Ill., 1977
   Maureen Holmes is an influential Wheaten breeder from Ireland. She
   arranged the import of the O'Connor dogs to the US and many early US
   dogs came from her kennels. 
   
   The Complete Dog Book, 18 Ed. American Kennel Club, 1994
   The official breed standard along with a limited history is included
   with similar information on all the AKC recognized breeds.
   
  ON-LINE RESOURCES
  
   
   
   The best place to find on-line information about dogs is Cindy Tittle
   Moore's excellent collection of FAQs (from the rec.pets.dogs.*
   newsgroups), dog web sites, email lists, and more.
   
   The American Kennel Club (AKC) has established an on-line presence
   including general dog info, breed info and standards, and AKC events.
   
   The US national club now has an SCWTCA Home Page.
   
   Dave Perry, a Canadian breeder of Wheatens and Ceskys has a homepage
   which includes a section on Wheatens. Dave has a great collection of
   Wheaten pictures.
   
   A number of Wheatens are now lucky enough have their own homepage. The
   luck y dogs are Bailey, Ciara, Deegan , Ira, Jose, Kelly, Tommy, and
   Trixie.
   
   Cyberpet, a commercial site with information on both cats and dogs has
   at least one picture in their Wheaten section. 
   
   WHEATEN-L is an e-mail list devoted exclusive ly to the Soft Coated
   Wheaten Terrier. The list is currently an "open" list, and anyone is
   welcome to subscribe. Once you join the list, you must then follow the
   rules as outlined in the welcome message. The list is owned by Mike
   Slepian and Kim Bryant and has been in operation since May of 1996. To
   subscribe send email to listserv@mail.eworld.co m with SUBSCRIBE
   WHEATEN-L yourfirstname yourlastname in the body of the message (no
   subject). You will receive a message with instructions for the res t
   of the subscription process.
   
   TERRIER-L is an e-mail list for the entire terrier group, including
   Wheatens and all the other terriers. The list is also open and anyone
   is welcome to subscribe. The list is owned by Daryl Enstone (a Kerry
   Blue owner) and has been in operation since October of 1994. To
   subscribe send email to listserv@mail.eworld.com SUBSCRIBE TERRIER-L
   yourfirstname yourlastname in the body of the message (no subject).
   You will receive a message with instructions for the res t of the
   subscription process.
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Breed Clubs

  THE SOFT COATED WHEATEN TERRIER CLUB OF AMERICA
   Mrs. Elaine Nerrie
       SCWTCA
       Public Information Committee
       1945 Edgewood Road
       Redwood City, CA 94062
       (415) 299-8778
       
   This club is the breed's parent club for AKC purposes. The club
   publishes a quarterly magazine with ads, articles, trophy standings
   and other news of interest to club members. It is called Benchmarks,
   and is available from the club. In addition, the club puts out a
   pamphlet for prospective owners, a handbook for new owners, the
   amplified breed standard, and charts on grooming and puppy colors. The
   pamphlet is free, but the other items all cost money. They also have a
   new homepage (see the on-line resources).
   
    Regional Breed Clubs - USA
   Connecticut SCWTC
       Charlene Adzima, Sec. & Rescue
       52 Gibson Avenue
       Trumbull, CT. 06611
       (203) 268-7690
       
       Delaware Valley SCWTC
       Thomas J. Neill, Sec.
       319 R Glad Way
       Collegeville, PA 19426
       (610) 489-4048
       
       Derby City SCWTC
       Jane Elkin Thomas, Sec. & Rescue
       1508 Cherokee Road
       Louisville, KY 40205
       (502) 451-1002
       
       Greater Cincinnati SCWTC
       Nan Meloy, Sec.
       3081 Harry Lee Lane
       Cincinnati, OH 45239
       
       Greater Denver SCWTC
       Louise Tucker, Sec.& Rescue
       PO Box 433
       3648 N. Perry Park Road
       Sedalia, CO 80135
       (303) 688-8569 or (303) 660-0511
       
       Motor City SCWTC
       Karen Costin, Corresp. Sec.
       4206 W. Orchard Hill
       Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
       (810) 642-8805
       
       SCWTC of Chicagoland
       Laura Rybski, Sec. & Rescue
       5420 South Sayre
       Chicago, IL 60638
       (312) 586-5712
       
       SCWTC of Greater Milwaukee
       Monica Kipp, Sec.
       552 W34098 Highway, GG
       Dousman, WI 53118
       (414) 392-3889
       
       SCWTC of Greater St. Louis
       Maria Unger, Sec.
       10133 Buffton Drive
       St. Louis, MO 63133
       
       
       SCWTC of Greater Washington D.C.
       Terry Ames, Sec.
       73144 Walnut Knoll Drive
       Springfield VA 22153
       
       
       SCWTC of Metropolitan New York
       Ed Tannacore, Sec.
       4 Vermont St.
       Lyndenhurst, NY 11757
       (516) 228-8977
       
       SCWTC of Northern California
       Ellie Wong, Sec.
       930 Viewridge Drive
       San Mateo, CA 94403
       (415) 341-6208
       
       SCWTC of Southern California
       Naomi Stewart, Sec.
       10832 Cullman
       Whittier, CA 90603
       (310) 947-1770
       
  CANADIAN BREED CLUBS
   Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier Association of Canada 
       Ardelle Darling
       RR #1,
       Windham Centre, ON N0E 2A0
       Phone:519-428-7516
       
       Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier Fanciers Association of Ontario
       Mary Ann Moran, Sec
       14 Wellesworth Dr.
       Etobicoke
       Ontario, Canada M9C 4P6
       (416) 622-6513
       
   There are also breed clubs for SCWTs in Europe. Addresses for these
   clubs can probably be obtained by contacting the SCWTCA at the listing
   given above and some are shown below. Names and addresses for other
   clubs can be sent to the author.
   
   Countries where SCWTs are shown include the following:
   
   England
        Soft-Coated Club of Great Britain
            Mrs. Judy Creswick
            96 Newgate Street
            Morpeth
            Northumberland
            NE61 1BU
            +44 1670 512832
   Norway
        Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Klubben
            Rygge Haveby 2c
            1580 RYGGE
            
            Tore Xygarden, editor newletter
            Gjevikbakkene 29
            1404 SIGGERUD
   Finland
       Germany
       Holland
       Ireland
       Sweden
       
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Rescue

   SCWTCA RESCUE
       Gwen Arthur
       (713) 469-4214 (TX)
       
  LOCAL RESCUE (USA)
  
   Note that some of the Local Clubs use the same person for rescue as
   secretary (see club addresses above for contacts)
   
   Delaware Valley Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Club
       Connie Kirchner, Rescue
       26 Saratoga Road
       Stratford, NJ 08084
       (609) 784-0502
       
       
       Motor City SCWTC
       Kristin Peterson, Rescue
       7431 Deep Run Road
       Bloomfield Hills, MI 48201
       (810) 642-5255
       
       SCWTC of Greater Milwaukee
       Bette Eckstrom
       10824 W. Pallotine Drive
       Greenfield, WI 53228
       (414) 545-7929
       
       SCWTC of Greater St. Louis
       Greg Buettmann
       1429 Jenwick Streer
       Chesterfield, MO 63005
       (314) 530-1955
       
       SCWTC of Greater Washington D.C.
       Dr. David Lincicome
       3032 Courtney School Road
       Midland VA 22728
       (540) 788-4916
       
       
       SCWTC of Metropolitan N.Y.
       Sally and Ray Murtha, Rescue
       149 Berry Hill Rd.
       Syosset, NY 11791
       (516) 921-8741
       baylist: (415) 526-7048
       
       
       SCWTC of Northern California
       Debbie Knudson,Rescue
       113 Sand Dollar Drive
       Vallejo, CA 94591
       (707) 557-3974
       
       SCWTC of Southern California
       Carol Herd, rescue
       8902 Pebble Beach Cr.
       Westminster, CA 92683
       (714) 893-5821
       
  CANADA
   
       
       Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Rescue
       P.O. Box # 133
       Brampton, Ontario, Canada
       L6X 1K4
       (905) 770-9831 ext. 22 -> (greater Toronto/Niagara area)
       (905) 478-2139 -> (as above)
       (416) 783-9346 ext. 44 -> (metro Toronto)
       (519) 853-1456 ext. 52 -> (southern Ontario)
       
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Breeders

   People intending to purchase a puppy are strongly recommended to deal
   with a responsible breeder as opposed to a pet store, casual backyard
   breeder, or puppymill. People should question the breeder on health of
   dam and sire, purposes of the breeding, health guarantees, and sale
   condition among other items. They should not be suprised at questions
   from the breeder as well. These questions may include plans for the
   dog (pet vs showing in conformation, agility, obedience, etc.), size
   of household (no. and age of children), size and condition of yard
   (e.g. is it fenced), and the like. Selecting a good breeder is as
   important as selecting the right breed for your circumstances! There
   are FAQs on 'getting a dog' (which discusses breeders), 'your new
   puppy', 'your new dog', and much other general dog and breed
   information at Cindy Tittle Moore's excellent collection of FAQs from
   rec.pet.dog.*. A suggested list of questions to ask a breeder is also
   available.
   
   Most national breed clubs maintain a list of responsible breeders
   which are members in good standing and follow the club's code of
   ethics. These lists are moderated or refereed by the sponsoring club.
   In the US, the parent club (SCWTCA ) sponsors such a breeder's
   referral list. For this type of list, the onus of picking a good,
   responsible breeder has been undertaken by the breed club.
   
   An unmoderated list of breeders, with a greater geographical scope,
   has also been compiled. This list makes no attempt to filter out
   casual breeder s or puppymills. With this list the task of selecting a
   good, responsible breeder has been left to the prospective owner. For
   more information regarding this unmoderated list, contact this FAQ's
   author.
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
    Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier FAQ
    Mike Slepian, slepian@nb.net
    Sharon Meerbaum, sombmra@aol.com
