Irish soft coated wheaten terrier

Kabep

Hi all, new to the boards! I thought I had posted this but it doesn't seem to have appeared, don't know whether I posted it at all. Anyhow, the reason I'm here is to ask if there is anyone out there that has any knowledge of the Irish soft coated wheaten terrier? I have read all I can on the web, but i'm after a first hand account of temperament, bitch or dog, how they are with preschool children? I have two preschoolers, one has a heart condition, and someone recommended getting a dog for a child with a poor ticker (a Bernese was specifically advised, but they are too big for us)! So any help or info will be kindly received,
thanks in advance!
K

boxerly

I minded one during the summer and he was bonkers very jumpy and VERY strong on the lead BUT he was the only one Ive had dealings with so maybe it was the way he was raised/un trained?Cavaliers are great with children but be sure to go to a proper breeder or you could adopt one from Cavalier rescue xxxx

TooManyDogs

They're typical terriers but in a medium sized body. They are boisterous, need lots of socialisation with other animals and children when they're young, they're fiesty, often not good with smaller animals again unless they're trained to be good with them. They need lots of exercise to keep them from being frustrated.

Like most terriers they don't suffer fools gladly so won't take much poking and pulling so often aren't a first choice for young children. Their coat also needs a bit of maintenance.

What about a Labrador? Or greyhounds or lurchers are very gentle dogs who would be fantastic pets for gentle children

John_Rambo

I mind one on occasion. Bonkers. I think he's got OCD, never seen a more obsessive dog when it comes to toys, strong as an English bull terrier.

boxerly

So glad Im not the only one who found them bonkers hehehe

Kabep

boxerly wrote: »

?Cavaliers are great with children but be sure to go to a proper breeder or you could adopt one from Cavalier rescue xxxx

Thanks, we have looked into the cavaliers as our first option, however, they tend to suffer heart problems, which at first we laughed at the irony but realistically I don't think we could take on another heart patient The Irish Cavalier Rescue say that 50% of them develop a murmur by age 5.

Bonkers doesn't sound good either though!! Disappointed with that as they had sounded really good up to then:(
Thanks all of you though, this is the kinda info I'm after!

John_Rambo

Kabep wrote: »

this is the kinda info I'm after!

Sorry... bubble burst etc.... Maybe go for a mutt or a non-working breed? They greyhounds are supposed to be amazing. Quiet in the house, clean, good with kids, ever see a greyhound pull on the lead? Handy with buggies.

TooManyDogs

John_Rambo wrote: »

They greyhounds are supposed to be amazing. Quiet in the house, clean, good with kids, ever see a greyhound pull on the lead? Handy with buggies.

Yep, really recommend the greys. They make fantastic pets for kids and are the ultimate couch potato so won't tear the place apart if they miss a walk

Shanao

The dogs usually reccomended for kids are Labs, golden retrievers, pugs, beagles and staffies. Of these, the beagles and staffies are the only ones I would reccomend. Labs and goldens are big and bouncy, pugs are too small and rife with health problems due to the ran into a parked car look (no offence to the pugs, i think this makes them look adorable). Beagles are tough dogs, and quite easygoing in my experience but they can be difficult to train. Same can be said for staffs really, though they are definitely a bit easier to train than a beagle. Any female staff I've come across has been brilliant with kids, same with greys. Greys are amazing dogs; built to run, run and run, or at least to look like they would. Instead, they'll gladly fold themselves up onto the tiniest available space on the couch just to chill with you.

Generally, terriers and toy breeds are a no-no, and the Cavaliers have become known as the vet's pet for a reason. Most working breeds are too bouncy as pups and most get pretty big.

Cherry Blossom

My aunt has a Staffie and it is the only dog I have met in my life that I would trust completely with children, they need to be very well socialised with other dogs and are definately an indoor dog as they are thin skinned and thin coated and not built for Irish weather but these are really the only 'cons'.
They are known as 'nanny dogs' in the states, don't mind poking and proding and it's impossible for a child to get a fistful of its hair as it doesn't have enough. Well built to cope with rough play from kids and an ideal size, not to small that kids can be too rough with it or hurt it should they happen to sit on it :rolleyes:. Not too big in the case of labs etc that can easily knock the child over. My aunts grandkids (all pre-school) actually refer to her home as Lucy's house (Lucy being the staffie) and they are always delighted to see each other. Lucy sits by the door awaiting their arrival in the mornings.

Kabep

Thanks for all the advice guys! We are going to wait for another while and research some more, however we are still looking at a rescue wheaten:rolleyes:
She's just so cute!!
x

liquoriceall

I dont know maybe our soft coated is the exception! My mother has a 3 year girl and she is the laziest, most placid girl you could hope to meet, way cooler than my basset and would always give you warning if you are annoying her (grooming usually provokes this). In fact the only bad thing is the coat but if you are willing to put in 10 mins a day it shouldnt be too bad and get them used to it from small puppyhood, couldnt recommend them more shes like a big cuddly teddy bear and the most waggy tail in the world!!

Kabep

liquoriceall wrote: »

I dont know maybe our soft coated is the exception!

From all the people I have spoken to on the phone today, it would seem that your mum's is not the only exception!! Everyone I have spoken to including vets have all said "go for it" they couldn't recommend them highly enough, but that yes they are a terrier and therefore have lots of energy, but that's okay there's plenty of open space here! However we are going to wait another while, and hopefully will find a nice rescue dog!

lcrcboy

I have had a soft coated wheaten terrier and he passed away recently at the age of 15 years old I know have a new one only 8 months, from my dealings with them they are very playful dogs and get excited quit easy I have a 8 year old in the house and both dogs have gotten on well with him. We did how ever take the previous dog running a few times a week and walks every day, in order to stop him getting over excited in the house. They are great watch dogs and will bark at any strangers that come to the door however they are poor guard dogs and will lick the hand of any one that enters the house.

Currently the pup I have now has been very different in personality to the last one, the new one seems more docile then the last guy and seems quit stubborn to the house training we have been giving him and reluctant to pick it up. All in all they often seem to have different personalities but they all seem to share a love for lots of activity some thing I would definitely recommend when dealing with this breed otherwise they can get destructive.