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Soft Coated Wheatzer Dog Breed: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

Written by: Rachael Gerkensmeyer

Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Rachael Gerkensmeyer

Soft Coated Wheatzer Dog Breed: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

The Soft-Coated Wheatzer is a hybrid breed that comes from a mix of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier. This loving breed is intelligent and very easy to train. They are cheerful dogs that are eager to please their owners. If you’re looking for a small to medium-sized dog, this hybrid breed may be for you.

The idea of crossbreeding two purebred dogs is to produce exceptional dogs with exceptional genes. Also known as a designer dog breed, these dogs are very loving but require early socialization to avoid behavior problems down the road, as with any dog. The Soft-Coated Wheatzer will have intelligence from its Miniature Schnauzer side and a happy, go-lucky temperament from its Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier side.

Breed Overview

Height:

13-18 inches

Weight:

20-40 pounds

Lifespan:

12-15 years

Colors:

Black, tan, silver, and pied

Suitable for:

Active families, first-time dog owners, those looking for a small to medium-sized dog

Temperament:

Loyal & loving, easy to train, intelligent, friendly, affectionate

This breed is excellent for first-time dog owners because of their ease with training, but since they’re highly energetic, you must be willing to give this breed the exercise they require. As long as you keep this breed healthy and happy, both mentally and physically, they’ll make a wonderful companion. Read on to learn more about this hybrid breed of dog.

Energy
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High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
+
Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Lifespan
+
Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Sociability
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.

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Soft-Coated Wheatzer Puppies

When looking for puppies for this breed (or any breed for that matter), it’s important to find a reputable breeder with the knowledge required to produce a true hybrid dog. You should be able to go to the breeder’s home and meet the dog in person, as well as the parents, and they should have papers on the parents to show health records. Make sure to ask all of the necessary questions about the puppy’s parents, and health backgrounds so you know you’re bringing home a healthy dog.

This mixed breed is hard to find, but if you do find one, know that they require moderate grooming to avoid mats and tangles in their wavy fur. They are also highly energetic, so you must be willing to give them about an hour of exercise daily.

Parent_breeds_Soft Coated Wheatzer
Image Credit: Left- Debra Anderson, Shutterstock | Right – Audrius Vizbaras, Pixabay

Temperament & Intelligence of the Soft-Coated Wheatzer

These dogs are the type that embraces each new day. They are very loving and affectionate and want nothing more than to please their owner. We should note that they don’t like to be left alone for long periods and may develop separation anxiety as a result. Separation anxiety usually leads to destructive behavior, so if you’re not home most of the time, this breed will not be suitable for you. They love to be with their families, making them great family dogs.

These dogs are highly intelligent and get their smart genes from their Miniature Schnauzer side. Miniature Schnauzers are smart and obedient, while the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is loveable, friendly, and happy. Combining the two produces one smart, happy, and loyal pup.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

These dogs make excellent family dogs due to their happy and friendly nature. They need early socialization to learn how to play with children, and supervision is important because of their high energy. If socialized early, they make great pets for families with children.

They are not good guard dogs because of their friendly personality, but they do have a loud bark that can warn you of any dangers.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

They do well with other pets because of their friendly and happy nature; however, early socialization is key. They can be territorial but generally are very good with other dogs because of their playful side. If you have other small animals, you’ll need to socialize the Soft-Coated Wheatzer early. They love to chase small animals, so it’s wise to avoid leaving the Soft-Coated Wheatzer alone with other small animals in the household. Until your dog realizes other animals in the household are a part of the pack, supervision is recommended.

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Things to Know When Owning a Soft-Coated Wheatzer:

Food & Diet Requirements

The average Soft-Coated Wheatzer will eat approximately 2 cups of dry kibble daily, divided into 2 feeding times. When looking for dog food, it’s best to feed a high-quality food with real protein as the first ingredient. It’s also wise to avoid any added preservatives or artificial flavors.

Exercise

These dogs require lots of exercise and may become destructive if they don’t get enough. They are high-energy dogs, and you’ll need to have a fenced yard so they can run. If you take your Wheatzer on a walk, be sure to put it on a leash because they like to chase small animals, such as squirrels or other small animals. Since they could dart off quickly, a leash that wraps around your wrist is best. Retractable leashes can easily fly out of your hand if you’re not expecting it.

You’ll need to prepare to give your Soft-Coated Wheatzer about 1 hour of exercise daily. They love to play fetch, which can make playtime fun for both of you.

Soft-Coated Wheatzer
Image By: Vadim Petrakov, Shutterstock

Training

Training these dogs is a joy because it’s easy and perfect for the first-time dog owner. They pick up on things quickly, but persistence is key in keeping them obedient. They are eager to please their owners, which aids in their ease of training.

Grooming ✂️

While these dogs are low shedding, they require moderate grooming and brushing, usually at least 5 times a week or daily. The Miniature Schnauzer has wiry hair and sheds a little more than the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, who has wavy, silky hair. The combination results in thick, medium, wavy, and silky coats that will mat and tangle if not brushed. Their hair grows fast and can be thick, so regular trips to the groomers may be needed, possibly every five to eight weeks.  A monthly nail trim should suffice for their nails, and a weekly check of the ears for debris and wax buildup is recommended.

Health and Conditions

Any dog breed is susceptible to health conditions that they can inherit from their parents. If buying from a breeder, make sure they are reputable; a reputable breeder will “breed out” any inherited conditions by ensuring the parents are healthy. Nonetheless, here are a few to watch out for with this breed.

Minor Conditions
  • Cataracts
Serious Conditions
  • Urinary Stones
  • Hyperlipidemia
  • Addison’s Disease
  • Protein-Losing Nephropathy

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Male vs. Female

There’s not much difference between the male and female Soft-Coated Wheatzer, other than males may be a bit bigger in height and weight. Females may also be a bit moody if not spayed.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Soft-Coated Wheatzer

1. You’ll have to look long and hard for a puppy.

Finding a Soft-Coated Wheatzer will be challenging, as there are few breeders in the United States. This can be the case for many designer dog breeds, but exceptionally so for this breed.


2. They are fun!

Owners of this breed have stated that they act like kids and love to play. If your family loves to play in the backyard playing, the Soft-Coated Wheatzer will be right there playing along and having a ball. They are always cheerful and welcome any kind of fun activity.


3. They are sensitive.

These dogs love their human families but are sensitive to your emotions. They can also be a bit stubborn due to their Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier side.

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Finding a Soft-Coated Wheatzer will prove challenging, but if you happen to find one, expect a friendly, loving, loyal, and fun dog. Remember to not leave your Soft-Coated Wheatzer alone for long periods of time to avoid destructive behavior, and keep in mind to supervise small animals.

They need moderate exercise, usually about 1 hour daily, and daily brushing is recommended due to their thick, wavy coats. Feed approximately 2 cups of high-quality kibble divided into two meals daily, and be persistent with training. These dogs make magnificent companions and will be loyal to you their entire lives.

See also:


Featured Image Credit: Pixabay

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