Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed ComparisonSoft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but Irish Jack Russell is originated from United States. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier may grow 15 cm / 6 inches higher than Irish Jack Russell. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier may weigh 12 kg / 27 pounds more than Irish Jack Russell. Both Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier and Irish Jack Russell has almost same life span. Both Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier and Irish Jack Russell has same litter size. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier requires Moderate maintenance. But Irish Jack Russell requires Low maintenance

History

soft coated wheaten terrier - historyThis wheaten colored terrier hails from Ireland. Although the Wheaten has been around for a long time, it was in 1937 that he was recognized as a breed in Ireland.

The British Kennel Club also recognized the Wheaten and the dog was also exported to the United States. Serious interest started being shown for the Terrier in the 1970s. It was in 1973 that they were recognised by the American Kennel Club.

irish jack russell - historyOriginating in the United States of America, the Irish Jack Russell, also known as Short Jack Russells, was bred to bring about a calmer temperament and to also have a dog with shorter legs.

Always a working dog, breeders of the Irish Jack Russell wanted to create a dog with less of a hunting instinct in him and have a dog which would be more companionable.

These Irish Jack Russells look much like your regular Jack Russell but are more of a companion dog than a hunting dog. The Irish Jack Russell doesn’t adhere to any existing Jack Russell breed standard and isn't really recognized at major dog clubs and kennels. The truth of the whole matter is that there are different kinds of Jack Russells and different names given to them to differentiate between the taller Jack Russell and the short legged one. The shorter Jack Russell Terriers are known by many names such as Irish Jack Russell and Shorty Jack Russells.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Working dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
United States
Height Male:
43 - 50 cm
16 - 20 inches
18 - 35 cm
7 - 14 inches
Height Female:
43 - 50 cm
16 - 20 inches
18 - 35 cm
7 - 14 inches
Weight Male:
13 - 20 kg
28 - 45 pounds
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
Weight Female:
13 - 20 kg
28 - 45 pounds
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
10 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 8
4 - 8
Size:
Medium dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Wheaten, Wheatie
Irish Jack Russell, Shorty Jack Russells
Colors Available:
tan, gingerish, Fawn, wheaten
tan, brindle, White coat with orange
Coat:
Soft, silky, wavy to curly
Short or long - coarse
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

soft coated wheaten terrier puppy - descriptionThe Wheaten is a medium sized dog standing at between 43 and 50cm and weighing between 13 and 20kg both male and female. The coat of the dog is soft, silky and wavy to even curly and is a wheaten to ginger color.

The coat of the puppy is dark but as he grows up it changes into the wheaten color although the ears may be a dark brown color. Pet owners like that the Wheaten is a very low shedding dog.

Temperament:

Playful, social and friendly, the Wheaten has always been put to good use on the farm. These days he is pet and companion. He is energetic and playful so children love having him around.

He is slightly more hyper and energetic than other Terrier breeds so will require a good dose of exercise.

He is smart and strong willed, and training and socialization turns him into an amicable pet to have around, so much so that he is sought after as a therapy-dog.

They’re easy-going dogs with no aggression issues but they still make great watch dogs and want to do whatever it takes to look after- and protect their human family.

irish jack russell puppy - descriptionIrish Jack Russells are small dogs standing at roughly 18 to 35cm and weighing in the region of 5 to 8kg for both males and females.

He looks much like your regular Jack Russell but he has shorter legs, and where the regular Jack Russell has an essentially white coat with orange-tan patches, the Irish Jack Russell can be solid tan or other color variations such as red, brindle, black and tan.

The coat can be short or fairly long and coarse. The Irish Jack Russell is a sturdy, compact dog with a flat skull, brown eyes and ears which are semi-erect, semi-floppy. He has a bright, alert, intelligent look on his face. The tail is set fairly high and has always been docked but these days it is inclined to be left long, taking away from the dog’s nice compact look.

Temperament:

The Irish Jack Russell is perhaps more placid than the regular Jack Russell and that is why he can adapt to life in the city or in the country. They’re intelligent dogs and therefore easy to train and have socialized.

Even though he is a small dog, training and socialization is important as he is a feisty, stubborn, know-it-all little dog. These are dogs which can become possessive of their owner and they can become quite aggressive when protecting their family. He is a highly trainable dog but it is important to have him trained as he tends to be aggressive with other dogs.

He is busy, active, happy and inquisitive and will require regular exercise to prevent him becoming restless and destructive. He has been a working terrier and he always wants to be busy.

Characteristics

soft coated wheaten terrier dog - characteristicsThe Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier has always made an excellent farm dog, but today he is more suited as pet and companion.

He adapts easily to life in the city or the countryside. Wherever he is, he will need his exercise. He also longs to be an active part of his human family, and then he’s happy, lively, social and friendly and is a great playmate for children.

He also gets on well with other dogs and will make you a fantastic family pet.

irish jack russell dog - characteristicsThe Irish Jack Russell is a self-confident, energetic dog who will like nothing more than to be involved with everything you’re doing. The busier he is the better, and because he has strong hunting instincts you may find him digging in your garden for rats.

Have him trained and socialized if you want to avoid certain problems with him and remember to exercise him and provide him with the attention he craves.

He is a social dog and will pine away if you just leave him to get by on his own. Make sure that he becomes every bit as part of your family as everyone else and he promises to make you a loyal, devoted companion.

Health Problems

soft coated wheaten terrier puppies - health problemsWhen you bring a Wheaten Terrier into your home, you’re not likely to have too many vet fees as he tends to be a healthy dog breed, being able to reach 13, 14 or 15 years of age with good care.

Look out for a dog ailment known as Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). This is a condition where the dog isn’t able to properly absorb protein in the digestive tract, so that it is passed in their stools.

It can be fatal, but if caught early, some dietary changes can keep it under control.

Also, look out for inflammatory bowel disease. This disease occurs when the stomach of the dog has a large number of inflammatory cells which can change the lining of the digestive tract, preventing the normal absorption of food.

irish jack russell puppies - health problemsYour Irish Jack Russell is a dog that doesn’t battle with too many health issues, but nonetheless you still need to watch out for common health problems.

Jack Russell terriers are generally a healthy breed that can live up to 14 years of age, but still every dog is prone to the more common dog problems such as hip dysplasia, bloat, ear infections and dental disease among others.

If your Irish Jack Russell is in pain, he is lethargic and sick, don’t delay – take him to the vet right away.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

soft coated wheaten terrier dogs - caringBrush your pet’s silky coat twice a week. Such a silky coat can get all tangled and matted. If you prefer, many people opt to rather have the Wheaten’s coat professionally clipped as then it is easier to handle. They like to have the hair clipped that hangs over the dog’s eyes.

Other grooming tasks require you to check inside his ears for redness which could indicate an infection. Trim his nails and check him over for ticks and fleas.

Training:

Have your Wheatie trained and socialized as he is a stubborn dog breed and you want him to be well mannered and obedient.

Exercise:

Terriers like this are energetic dogs and he is going to need exercise every day. A walk for a dog is always a welcome experience as it gives him the opportunity to sniff around and pick up new smells. Play ball- or frisbee games with him as this can tire him out a bit.

Veterinary Care:

If your dog shows signs of illness, get him to the vet. He is such a feisty dog that it can be unbearable to see him out of sorts.

Diet:

Terriers are energetic dogs so if you feed your dog one of the commercial dog foods, make sure the label indicates what food it is. This is because the foods are manufactured according to the type of dog it is, its age, size and energy levels.

Always try and go for the high quality foods which don’t have all those unhealthy ingredients in them. Try to include some home-made food – nothing exotic and spicy – just plain, wholesome food that won’t upset his stomach.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots is super tasty and nutritious. You can chop it up and add it to your pet’s kibble twice a week.

Try and include a little bit of raw meat to his diet occasionally as this can go towards ensuring he doesn’t get skin diseases. Always ensure he has a constant supply of fresh, cool water available.

Grooming:

irish jack russell dogs - caringThe Irish Jack Russell is an average shedder with his short or longish coat which is easy to groom, requiring a brush once or twice a week. His nails grow quickly too and they can get caught on something and cause him damage. Trim your pet’s nails to prevent this.

Diet:

Feed your Irish Jack Russell good quality dog food each day. If you feed him commercially manufactured dog food, be certain to check the feeding instructions on the packaging.

He is a small dog, and overfeeding can be just as bad as under-feeding. It’s never a good idea to just go on and on feeding your pet dry or wet kibble day after day. Add in some cooked chicken, rice, pasta and vegetables as a treat and to also provide some variety for him.

Also a little bit of raw meat occasionally can do him the world of good and you’ll see the appreciation in his bright eyes and wagging tail.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Irish Jack Russell vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  2. Irish Jack Russell vs Danish Swedish Farmdog - Breed Comparison
  3. Lancashire Heeler vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  4. Miniature Siberian Husky vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  5. Telomian vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  6. Turnspit Dog vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  7. Pomeranian vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  8. Maltese vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  9. Pug vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  10. Maltipoo vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  11. Jack Russell Terrier vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  12. Miniature Schnauzer vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  13. Mal-Shi vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  14. Papillon vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  15. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  16. Japanese Chin vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  17. Miniature English Bulldog vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  18. Miniature Dachshund vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  19. Lhasa Apso vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  20. Miniature Poodle vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  21. Japanese Spitz vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  22. Italian Greyhound vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  23. Rat Terrier vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  24. Scottish Terrier vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  25. Malti-Pom vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  26. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs American Pit Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  29. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Bedlington Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  35. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Kerry Blue Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Austrian Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  37. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Lakeland Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Jagdterrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Blue Paul Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Indian Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Irish Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Japanese Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Brazilian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Old English Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Scoland Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Skye Terrier - Breed Comparison
  48. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  49. Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier - Breed Comparison
  50. Welsh Terrier vs Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds