Wheaten terriers

[BSan]

Anybody have some info or personal experience with wheaten terriers........personality, problems, positives???? I met two that were rescues and adopted into the same home. They are adorable!! They don't have the common haircut that I have seen on TV and in pictures. They are cut like teddybears, and so cute! Just wondering for future reference.

[Zoom]

Not. A. Fan.

They're cute as all get out as puppies and depending on the haircut and breeding can stay that way. However, 99% that I meet develop some sort of temperment or behavioral issue as they age, usually starting about 1 year old. Then they either become very shy and reticient, prone to fear biting, or they seem to lose any and all understanding of what the concept of "no" is and retain that throughout their life. Both in human and canine speak. Many of my problem children in daycare are wheatens...they just can't understand what "leave me the eff alone" means, even when backed up by teeth and I have to go save them. They get very crabby around other dogs after about 3 or 4 years old as well. I guess they don't age well or something. I've yet to meet a happy wheaten over that age anyway.

This is also known as the "Spazzy McSpazster" breed at work...they do love to cuddle if you can get them to settle down long enough to not accidently give you a bloody nose/lip/black eye at the same time.

[BSan]

Sound a bit stubborn, and needing continual good training over time. I read they need lots of exercise too. The two I met were VERY energetic!!
I know first hand about taking hits to the nose and eye. My doggie switches directions and we have collided. I have had ice on my eye and nose. Now I try to keep my face out of the way. Nothing like a hard bony head meeting your face.

[Zoom]

I'm used to stubborn, continual training and avoiding black eyes; I have an Aussie, lol!

Mostly what I don't like is what seems to be a large streak of aggression present in each Wheaton I've met, be it people or other dogs. I have one regular Wheatie that cannot be walked on leash next to another dog and cannot be put in a room near where other dogs are walking. She will attack on leash if given the slack and spends an hour straight throwing herself at the bars of her room to get to dogs walking by. Outside in the play area she's not a problem.

I've been randomly bit by more than a couple Wheaties too and by randomly I mean they came up as my back was turned and nailed me on the leg. One ran through the door when it was opened, saw me and nailed my arm before I knew what was going on. Luckily it didn't break skin, but still. WTF.

So basically they're neat as puppies, suck as adults. Not quite what I look for in a dog.

[bnwalker2]

This is also known as the "Spazzy McSpazster" breed at work...they do love to cuddle if you can get them to settle down long enough to not accidently give you a bloody nose/lip/black eye at the same time.

I have known/worked with a few Wheatens and all had that exact same personality. I loved them, but was more than happy to give them back to their owners at the end of the day!

[Sush]

I completely agree with everything Zoom said. I've personally looked after at least 10 different wheatons and if they aren't spastic they have other issues like she said (fear biting, extreme shyness, or dog agression) I've met only one who was a very obediant and social dog with both humans and dogs. His big sister (a Bouvier) had all the issues.

[SisMorphine]

SCWTs are a very common dog in my area. They were "all the rage" about 8 to 10 years ago, and since they live forever everyone still has one. It was actually the first dog I EVER trained . . . now 14 years ago.

They go BEYOND your typical terrier as far as independence goes. I have yet to meet one that didn't become dog aggressive. Most of the SCWTs I know have a bite history. You will be hard pressed to find a groomer in my area who would touch one with a 10 foot pole. I only worked at ONE groomer's who would groom them and it was only because there was a vet's office there to sedate them first. You usually don't find them in daycare programs and everyone groans when one comes in to board.

Frankly I couldn't tell you if it is because of poor breeding, poor raising, just the temperament of the breed, or a combination of all three. But either way you couldn't pay me to own one.

But they have got to be the CUTEST puppies ever . . .

[Zoom]

We have a couple dozen that come in for grooming and most of them do...ok...at it. Some are great, some take a lot of extra time to account for the jerking around and snapping on the table. The last fight we had in daycare actually was between two Wheatens...both had previously been fine with each other, then that one day one just launched himself at the other and got ahold of an ear. No major damage but ears bleed profusely.

[BSan]

Oh my.........they are cute......but.......The wheaten personality/temperament really isn't something I would want to deal with according to your description. Thanks for all the info. Is there another breed, about that size and cuteness (or smaller) that generally has a good temperament? This is all for future reference, as I am thinking about another dog as a buddy for my bigger dog. I think when I decide for sure, I also would consider a rescue (as long as the dog could be around my little grandaughter). I am not opposed to mixes either.

[skKi]

We've got three wheatens at daycare, all of which are a dream? Fabulous walkers, great with all the dogs (we even go so far as to use them while interviewing the more timid dogs) I haven't experienced any of that kind of bad behaviour with any wheaten around here except the spastic zoomies.
I personally love wheatens. The one's I met are happy bundles of joyful, super bouncy and light on their feet. I've been nailed in the face by flying wheatens while sitting down briefly on more than one occasion.
I'm actually quite stunned at all the negative experiences! But every dog is different.