Soft-coated, wheatan terrier, any advice?

[tc]

Stephen bought me one about three years ago, and it was a disaster. She came with ghiardia and other intestinal problems. After almost a year, she was never house broken, always jumped up on people. Tried obedience training, didn't work. However, she was the sweetest puppy. Very gentle, loving, cuddler. I finally called the wheaton rescue to come take her because of the house training problem. I was told by them that the place I bought her from in Nebraska was a puppy mill, and, most likely, she was inbred, and that makes them hard to train or, sometime, impossible.

I'd like to try again, and love this breed (especially since they don't shed). Was my experience normal, or were they right? If I get another, can she be trained? House broke? I only work 5.5 hours a day, so she wouldn't be alone much.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Rollwithit]

Sounds like you may have just gotten a bad egg. We don't have one but our very good friends do. Winston is about a year and a half now and is an absolutely awesome dog. Very well trained, does well with both children and adults. They did obedience school with him last fall and you can really tell.

He sheds just a little, nothing at all like other dogs but they are also very good about brushing him on a regular basis. They bought Winston from a very reputable breeder and paid $1000 for him. Some people trim their Wheaton terriors, our friends don't.

He really is a little cutie-patootie. Nice sized dog...not too small, not too large. Oh, and he has never chewed/destroyed anything.

 

[mmfan1]

Hi,
Just had to reply to your post. I have a male wheaten and we adore him. I have three kids, and he is great with them. I would strongly advise finding a reputable breader near you where you can see the parents to get an idea of the dog's temperament. I too wanted a female but was told that the male of this breed resembles more the personality of a golden retriever. the only bad habit that my dog "seamus" has is jumping up on people. I've seen this tendency in virtually all wheatens, and there is even a name for it, the "wheaten-greetin". Don't give up on the breed, they are the best dogs, and the most beautiful puppies anywhere! Good luck, JoAnne

 

[tc]

wow, that sounds like what I am looking for. I know I'll spend a lot of money, but this dog did not make my daughter sneeze and wheeze. Anyone else?

 

[SuiteDisney]

I don't have any experience with the breed, I just wanted to say that maybe the rescue people can help you find a reliable breeder. Good luck.

 

[MinnieMe2]

My cousin had a Wheaten for 13 years and loved him. He was smart, reliable (in the housebreaking department), and very loving.

Coming from a puppy mill, your first dog probably had many health issues being indescriminately bred into her/him. It's really a crime, and the heartbreak it causes is simply inexcusable.

If you go to www.greatpets.com and ask there, you may find someone in your area who can help you find a healthy, well-bred Wheaten. I know there are at least one or two members who have them.

Good luck in your hunt.....

 

[tc]

Thank you so much for the comments. I will certainly do some extra investigation when we do decide to buy. You all have certianly allowed me to put my fears aside.

 

[fklhou]

Find a reputable breeder and work with them. I do not know your breed but we are about to breed one or more of our Bearded Collies and I am beginining to understand the business. A good breeder can give you some good advice as to what you can expect from the breed and from their line in particular.

It sounds like you may have gotten a bad apple for the breed.

Good luck.

 

[BWVDenise]

I have a 4 yr old male.
Housebroken? YES (crate-trained).
Jumping? YES YES YES! He gets too excited not to jump!
Shedding? None from mine. We keep him cut on the shorter side.
No one has mentioned barking and I've read that Wheatens are not known for much barking but mine is very high-strung and barks WAY too much !
Hope that helps.
Good luck!

 

[CookieGVB]

We have a poster on the DIS named Wheatenwalker...I think. Bet she'd have some input for you, too.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

My parents have their second rescue wheaten. The first one was a male and a little skittish--his owner had given him up. Now they have a female--her owners had built a house and the yard was all mud, so they had her at their mother's home and she was chained up, etc. (same old story, out with the dog) so mom and dad got her at about age 4--she must be about 8 now--she is a great dog.
Robin M.

 

[hercamore]

Just wanted to say good luck choosing/deciding..

I read on story on this breed in Dog Fancy magazine awhile back.

Maybe there's some info on dogfancy.com



herc.