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Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America: Judges Education Presentation
rev June 2011
Page 1 of 52
THE
SOFT COATED WHEATEN
TERRIER
Presented by the
Judges Education Committee
SCWTCA, Inc
Produced and coordinated by
Gay Dunlap and Gary Vlachos
rev June 2011
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Detail from an early painting of a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
The Aran Fisherman s Drowned Child
F. Bacon - 1843
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The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier,
described as an All-Purpose Farm Dog, looked quite different in the early 1940s
than he does today.
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An early Wheaten Terrier, Firecrest, with Maureen Holmes, 1944, Ireland
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FORM AND FUNCTION
The Wheaten was an All Purpose Farm Dog!
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A BIT OF HISTORY
After all these years the Wheaten s early skills are still in his memory
bank!
Going to ground
rev June 2011
Herding
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The When, Where, What, Why of SCWT Form and Function
WHEN … Somewhat shrouded in the mists of time, the history of this breed reflects to some degree
the Irishman s gift as story teller rather than historian. Folklore persists of the dog that swam to the
shores of Ireland from a sinking ship following the defeat of the Spanish Armada. Supposedly, he
then bred to native terriers to produce the Wheaten, among others. Most agree the breed can be
traced back 200 years. Many fanciers feel the Soft Coated Wheaten predates and is the progenitor of
its closest kin, the Kerry Blue and the Irish, in spite of the fact that the latter was shown for some 80
years prior to the Wheaten s acceptance by the Irish Kennel Club. There is also reason to surmise a
very early link to the Irish Wolfhound.
rev June 2011
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WHERE … Long before Kennel Clubs and official records, Wheatens could be found all over
Ireland. However the greatest numbers were in the South and South West. There are records of
numerous Wheatens in County Kerry as far back as 1785. They whelped in barns, hedges and
haystacks; the fittest survived. Quite early in Britain s history the Laws of the Forest were
placed in force allowing only freemen and landowners to own hunting dogs. The poor tenant
farmer and fisherman could not legally own any animal worth more than five pounds sterling.
Thus was born the Wheaten Terrier. rev June 2011
Page 9 of 52
WHAT … This poor
man s Wolfhound came
to serve as guardian of the
tenant farmer s household
and as a general all
purpose farm dog. They
both herded and guarded
the sheep, killed vermin,
and gave their families
ample warning of
intruders. They were keen
of scent and might often
be found with their
master, out for the hunt,
bringing down small
game. A recent story from
Sweden tells of a Wheaten
that successfully brought
down an elk!
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WHY … Certainly man s need for
the companionship of a dog is firmly
established historically. This
versatile dog had a keen desire to
please and a willingness to do
whatever was asked of him. Indeed
the poor farmer had a myriad of
chores which this working, sporting
terrier eagerly performed. It is said
that he might even be called upon to
perform menial kitchen chores such
as turning the spit. He was hardy, an
easy keeper, not fussy about his food
and totally indifferent to the
hardships of weather. He was kind to
the pocketbook. HOW … This multi-purpose farm
dog met each of his responsibilities
in full accord with the discipline,
codes and requirements of the
particular job at hand.
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NOTE … Considered to be the dark days of the breed by many modern day breeders, from 1929
to 1968 the Irish Kennel Club held badger trials. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier was required
in those years to be awarded a game certificate in order to become a full champion of record.
Placing first at many of the badger trials, the Wheaten went on to capture more certificates than
all the strong terriers (Kerry, Wheaten, Glen of Imaal, Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Bull
Terrier) put together. This proved the supremacy of the breed in Ireland as a sporting terrier.
Unfortunately, the breed s happy, steady temperament suffered immeasurably as breeders began
to breed Badger Dogs - those with a strong and tenacious fighting instinct. It became obvious
that Staffords and Glens were bred into Wheaten lines to procure this trait. To this day many
Wheaten Terriers in their native country exhibit some of the structural characteristics common to
these two breeds (broad skulls, cheekiness, rose ears, bandy legs, fiddle fronts, bowed stifles,
barrel ribs and goose rumps).
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Form Related to Function
The Soft Coated Wheaten must be a hardy dog, capable of having been whelped (or being capable
of whelping) naturally in a barn, hedgerow or haystack. He must demonstrate the particularly
steady disposition required of a dog that could perform his tasks both as a herder and as a guard
dog, able to discriminate between friend and foe; he was eager to please. His medium size and
compact body allowed for the versatility required of him; e.g., he had to be a skillful manuverer
at rounding up vermin, herding, and hunting with his master...this also required that he be well
coordinated. At the same time he could not take up much space at home on the hearth or at work
in the kitchen. The Wheaten s head must be moderately long, rectangular and powerful
enough to balance the powerful and strong muzzle essential for capturing and holding whatever
predator might threaten his family s comfort or livelihood. The small to medium ears, lying
next to the cheek, were highly valued for the simple reason they were less at risk, should he be
trying to tear through a hedgerow or do battle with prey. His less aggressive temperament also
reflects his role as a general all-round farm dog. The Wheaten s gait, with required wellangulated quarters, is free and lively with good reach and drive, the same as would be required
of any good herding or hunting dog. The soft and silky, single coat was appreciated for its ease
of maintenance. Many latter day Wheatens developed a much more plush, heavy, cottony or
woolly jacket, far less easy to maintain as in days of old. The words in bold face are words actually used in the standard.
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We have come a long way since the Miscellaneous days of the late 60s and early 70s!
rev June 2011
Page 14 of 52
The idea that the Wheaten should be shown untrimmed, persists with some of
our older judges, in spite of the fact that they have been trimmed and tidied for years, even in their country of origin, Ireland. We are not little beige Sheep Dogs!
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Here s a bitch, trimmed as befits the breed.
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Anatomical Points of the SCWT
When the Wheaten s soft, silky, waving jacket is removed, you find little structural differences
between the SCWT and most other long legged terriers. Note here the comparatively equal
lengths of head, neck and back, giving the hallmark balance and moderation desired. Note
equal length of upper arm to scapula with correct angulation. This, with properly angulated
rear and well let down hocks, should provide the sporting terrier movement we seek.
rev June 2011
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Here we have an undressed Wheaten Terrier
Note the lovely head planes
and that the tip of the ear
does not drop below the eye.
Also note arch of neck and
transition of neck into back.
What about the bend of
pastern and stifle? Is there
too much length of loin?
Judging this breed requires
the ability to undress the
dogs in order to ascertain
correct balance and outline.
Practice doing this.
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COMPARING THE SILHOUETTE OF THE THREE LONG-LEGGED
IRISH TERRIER BREEDS
Irish
Soft Coated Wheaten
Kerry Blue
Irish off square, Wheaten and Kerry square.
What are the subtle differences?
§ Body shape … Irish more racy and less square. Wheaten more moderate, Kerry more extreme
and refined in outline.
§ Ear set and carriage … Irish & Kerry ears point to eye, higher set. Wheaten ear points to
ground. Tip of ear should not reach below corner of eye.
§ Head … Not so refined on Wheaten. Trim on head …Kerry beard scooped out, Wheaten
beard trimmed to give rectangular appearance. More hair left on top skull of Wheaten.
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ESSENCE OF SCWT TYPE!
(Breed Character)"
- COAT -
Soft, Silky, Waving, Flowing
Warm Wheaten Color
- SILHOUETTE Square, medium-sized
Tail set well up on back
Neck ... Medium in length
- HEAD Rectangular, moderately long,
in proportion to body
Ears ... Small to medium, level with skull,
held close to head, point to ground
- ATTITUDE -
Happy, steady, shows himself gaily
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Let s take a look at coat …
A distinguishing characteristic of
the breed. A single coat, soft ,and
silky with a gentle wave and of a warm wheaten color.
The coat may vary in terms of
amount of wave but must never be
straight or frizzy/kinky, woolly,
crisp or cottony and must not
stand away from the body but
rather fall in waves or loose curls
so as to gently flow when the dog
is in motion. rev June 2011
Page 21 of 52
Soft, silky, gentle wave … look for a shine to the coat
Any shade of wheaten. Don t overlook quality in favor of depth of color.
Depth of color should never be an issue.
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Comparison Study of Two SCWT Bitches
Both are very pleasing to the
eye and have the correct
silhouette. They are square,
appear to be of proper size
and are well balanced. Coat
color is acceptable on both
and coat length appears to be
adequate. However, note dullness of COAT . There is no apparent wave, which indicates the coat has either been blown dry,
eliminating any trace of wave, or it is a COTTONY, PLUSH coat which STANDS AWAY from the body. This coat will BOUNCE rather than flow.
rev June 2011
Here, we note a COAT that is obviously SILKY because it shines. We see the obligatory
GENTLE WAVE . This coat
maintains enough length to FLOW when the dog is in motion. It is an ideal Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier coat.
Page 23 of 52
Comparison Study of Two SCWT Bitches
Make and Shape Now let s take a look at the HEADS on these two
bitches. What are the
differences? How about the
ears? What about the
necks? Eyes? BACK is
level, TAIL well set on both
bitches.!
!
This HEAD appears slightly small and
out of balance with the body. The
NECK, made thick with this type coat,
could be disguising a longer back and
upright shoulder. The EAR is too large
and set low on the skull. Notice where
it is relative to the corner of the eye.
Eye is over exposed.
Note that HEAD is in proper
proportion to body, NECK is
of medium length and blends
smoothly into body. EAR size and
placement is correct. It is small, held
close to the head and points to the
ground. It does not extend below the
corner of the eye. Eye is only slightly
exposed.!
!
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This charming painting illustrates how building up coat over the thoracic vertebrae
can give a dog the appearance of being shorter backed and better angulated than he
is. A telltale sign is in the thickness of the neck. This deception is difficult to achieve
with the correct silky, wavy, flowing coat because it has less volume at the start and
wants to lay flat over the withers.
rev June 2011
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More
on
Make
and
Shape
Neck is moderate and should appear to be the
same length as the head. Nice head and ear size
but this dog is stuffy in the extreme.
Here is another attempt to create the look of a shorter back. Note the tuck-up is cut in forward of the loin with body coat left behind the loin so as to appear as leg furnishings.
rev June 2011
The Wheaten is a … sporting terrier, square in
outline. This dog is longer than he is tall. Note
low set ear and poor tail carriage. This dog is high in the rear. His front
quarters appear to belong to a more
substantial dog while his hind quarters
seem to fall away.
Page 26 of 52
Tail well set up on back, shelf behind tail,
lovely neck-to-back transition.
His only fault was an absence of conspicuous virtues! rev June 2011
Nice head-to-neck ratio, nice ears,
straight in stifle.
Taller than long, straight in stifle. Pleasing, however. Page 27 of 52
The dog on the right displays pleasing head to neck ratio but his tail is badly
carried. Be cognizant of the role size
plays in correct breed type. The dog on
the left is oversized and simply too much
dog to be considered correct.
Yes, Virginia, Wheatens can have lovely rears!
rev June 2011
Nice proportions on this bitch though some
may prefer a bit more leg under her.
Page 28 of 52
Here we have two seven month old pups, a bitch on the left and a dog on the right.
These pups provide excellent examples of the difference in the American & Irish coats.
This is what you will see in the earlier stages of a Wheaten s show career.
This puppy bitch has what is called today an
American coat. Note the more profuse leg
furnishings. Also note that tail is not set high, but
rather off the end of her back, with no rear shelf.
rev June 2011
This young male has a typical Irish coat
which, in time, will blossom into a thing of
beauty as he matures. His ear could be
smaller.
Page 29 of 52
More about ears and eyes…and noses
The ears on this dog are well placed on the skull and do not fall below the eye. Ear place-
ment and carriage is what gives the Wheaten expression, since the eyes are only slightly
exposed. Note that nose is large for size of dog. rev June 2011
These ears are also well placed
and do not fall below the eye.
But note how the hair is cut
away from the eye. Eyes should only be indicated and
never fully exposed.
Here we see ears that are
drifting away from the
skull. This is incorrect
and spoils the dog s
expression. We see these
ears commonly in the
ring.
Page 30 of 52
More Ears … good, bad and ugly!
Lovely ear placement, carriage
and expression on this bitch.
Fold of ear is wrong causing ears
to drift away from the head. In
addition, there is no lift to ear.
rev June 2011
Hound ear, foreface
longer than skull,
giving a foreign look.
Ears appear more low Ears well set but too small.
set than they are because Better this than too large!
of excess hair on top skull.
Another low set ear. Tip of ear
is not on same plane as corner of
the eye.
This is what you want to see!
Page 31 of 52
Here we have correct eye shape and color. Note another nice large nose.
The ear here is relaxed. If held alert the tip would be level with corner of eye...
rev June 2011
Page 32 of 52
Another lovely ear size, placement and
carriage. This is a very attractive,
masculine head piece.
Here is an example of an over-sized,
low-set ear, coupled with what we
call a…
Red shading on
ear leather is rare
in the US but is
totally acceptable.
Slight gray shading on ears and muzzle is
acceptable as is no shading. However, the gray
shading, in excess, spilling onto the head, down the neck or into the fall is not condoned.
rev June 2011
CONEHEAD trim! This head trim
creates the illusion of a longer head, which
is actually long enough! The ear then
appears more low-set than it is. The ear,
though a bit large, would be more pleasing if excess hair were removed from top skull.
Page 33 of 52
Irish and American Coats
Understanding The Differences
In order to increase a limited gene pool, there has been an influx of imported SCWTs
from Europe. As a result, you will see growing numbers of these dogs and their get in
the show ring. Some are quite different from the SCWTs to which we are accustomed.
Some are poor specimens in anyone s vernacular, sporting thin coats, roached toplines,
low set tails, barrel chests, straight or bowed stifles, broken pasterns and hare feet.
Others deserve consideration. Many of these imported dogs have lovely coats, glistening
like silk. Many have deeper waves in their coats than is the norm here in the US. This
should not be misconstrued as frizzy , fuzzy or kinky all of which are considered a
major fault. rev June 2011
Page 34 of 52
The heavily waved coat on some imports is correct. It has a silky texture and lays flat to
the body. The frizzy or kinky coat that stands away from the body and is dull to the
eye is incorrect.
Very wavy, laying close to the body
Stand away coat, frizzy and kinky
Some imports and outcrosses sport an open coat,
thinner than that most often seen in the ring here. Since
the word abundant is open for interpretation, it
becomes our call as to whether the dog in question is of
such pleasing type that the thinner coat is acceptable.
Additionally, many are quite light in color. White is not
ok but often you will find a hint of color much like
looking for the blue in a Kerry s coat. So look for a hint
of wheaten color.
rev June 2011
Page 35 of 52
As with many breeds of late, owing to
the outlawing of tail docking in many
European countries, you will see some
undocked tails. Though our standard
prefers the docked tail, a natural tail is
allowed but must be carried at a 90º
angle or with a slight curve forward.
This tail is carried too far over the back.
The grand matriarch of Wheatens in Ireland,
Maureen Holmes, might have called this
silver wheat ! You can, however, see a hint
of wheaten shading on the top skull. Note
the correctly carried tail. Some color enhancing is being done now.
This is unfortunate since there is great
latitude in what constitutes acceptable
wheaten color. If color enhancing is
suspected please do not reward it.
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Page 36 of 52
HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF NATURAL (UN-DOCKED) TAILS. The upper row represents those that are acceptable.
rev June 2011
Tails on the lower row are unacceptable.
Page 37 of 52
European and Outcrossed SCWTs All have what is called the Irish coat … all are AKC Champions
rev June 2011
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PROGRESSION OF A TYPICAL IRISH COAT - Two Different Dogs
7 months
8 months
18 months
2 years
rev June 2011
7 months
11 months
15 months
20 months
4 years
Page 39 of 52
COAT PROGRESSION ON A TYPICAL FULL COAT
8 months Changing to adult coat
Older puppy coat
Adult coat
Adolescent
4 years of age
These photos show the various stages the full coat may go through. Puppy coat can be very straight
and even slightly stand-away. This is not always the case however. Some pups have the obligatory
shining, wavy coat from the very beginning. Reward it if the dog exhibits the correct make, shape and
soundness. If the shine and waves are not visible on an adult coat, it is incorrect.
rev June 2011
Page 40 of 52
Any contention that there are two or more distinct types, or breeds, if you will, within the SCWT is a fallacy. The four standards currently in use, the US, the Canadian, the
English and the FCI/Irish, are parallel and, for the most part, correspond wholly, each to the other. Therefore, the breed stands as one breed. There are correct and incorrect
types within it regardless of country of origin.
rev June 2011
Page 41 of 52
Movement
As stated before, we are looking for movement typical of the sporting Terrier.
This dog is exhibiting correct reach and drive. Note the degree of extension in his
side gait. Also note how he holds his outline and balance.
rev June 2011
Page 42 of 52
Reach and Drive!
This dog does not maintain the same
attractive outline and balance when gaiting as the previous dog exhibited.
He is long cast and will have reach and drive for this reason and not because he is
correctly made.
rev June 2011
Not quite the same degree of extension
as the dog on the left but more than
enough. The dog is more square and
the movement is pleasing.
Page 43 of 52
Since coat texture and color, along with presentation,
seem to create a bit of a hang up with many judges,
let s examine the following dogs together…
Coats on these two Wheatens are acceptable in both color and texture.
rev June 2011
Page 44 of 52
Beautiful balance and proportions on this bitch.
However, she has a frizzy, kinky stand away coat.
It has been tipped a la Bichon.
Straight coat…could have been blown
dry such that the waves were obliterated .
rev June 2011
Relatively mature Irish coated bitch.
Nicely balanced bitch with lovely proportions,
correct ear size and carriage and placement,
with a quality American coat.
Page 45 of 52
Let s look at these Wheatens together. What is good about them … what is not?
All have acceptable coats Overall balance and coat are exquisite . Handsome dog, Ears
are too big and the dog himself is oversized.
Broad back skull, nice ear size, high in rear, lovely coat
color and texture. Tail off end of back.
rev June 2011
This coat is questionable. May be kinky, hard to tell.
Lovely balance on this square bitch.
Gray shading other than on ears and muzzle.
Otherwise, coat is attractive. Long in back.
Page 46 of 52
Length of beard takes away from overall picture and is distracting.
Abundance of hair over withers indicates dog is longer than he appears.
Overstretched rear could indicate long second thigh. No shelf behind tail.
Irish coat. Dog is straight in stifle, may be cow-hocked.
rev June 2011
Over trimmed and too stylized. Note scooped out beard.
Cone-head trim, a bit off square. Pretty coat on
young adolescent. Nice shelf behind the well set tail.
Page 47 of 52
Tail dropped. Ears too fancy. Beautiful coat. Tight feet.
Ear oversized, placement & carriage incorrect.
rev June 2011
Nice length of head. Pleasing ears. Back too long. Tail off end of back.
Head, ear size and placement good. Incorrectly carried natural tail.
European dog with correctly carried
natural tail.
Page 48 of 52
Tail slightly dropped. A bit longer than tall. Lovely coat.
Head square rather than rectangular. Head
planes off (down-faced). Upright shoulders.
Top-line sloping. Ears oversized.
rev June 2011
Head and neck not sufficient to balance with
body. Ears oversized, low set.
Pretty pup with correct ear set and carriage. Stunning
coat. Color will probably fade. Remember, color intensity
is not necessary. We do not want to encourage artificial
coloring of the Wheaten coat.
Page 49 of 52
To spar or not to spar? The answer is yes!
Note the difference in coat on these two dogs. One appears
silky with waves while the other seems plushy and tipped. Both could be more square in outline.
rev June 2011
Page 50 of 52
Do allow the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier to show his
Terrier spark! A note here…bitches often will not rise
to the occasion when asked to spar. But the boys should be on their toes, as these two are, when asked to face off.
rev June 2011
Page 51 of 52
Well that s all for now…
Good luck! Hope to see you in the ring, one day!
rev June 2011
Page 52 of 52

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