Wheaten Terrier vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison

Wheaten Terrier vs Indian Spitz - Breed ComparisonIndian Spitz is originated from India but Wheaten Terrier is originated from Ireland. Indian Spitz may grow 25 cm / 9 inches shorter than Wheaten Terrier. Indian Spitz may weigh 13 kg / 28 pounds lesser than Wheaten Terrier. Both Indian Spitz and Wheaten Terrier has almost same life span. Indian Spitz may have less litter size than Wheaten Terrier. Both Indian Spitz and Wheaten Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Terrier dog
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India
Ireland
Height Male:
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
43 - 50 cm
16 - 20 inches
Height Female:
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
43 - 50 cm
16 - 20 inches
Weight Male:
5 - 7 kg
11 - 16 pounds
13 - 20 kg
28 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 7 kg
11 - 16 pounds
13 - 20 kg
28 - 45 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 5
2 - 8
Size:
Small
Medium
Other Names:
Greater Indian Spitz, Smaller Indian Spitz
The Wheaten
Colors Available:
White, brown or black and white.
Wheaten, gingery
Coat:
Long and fluffy
Soft single coat
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

indian spitzThe Indian Spitz is a working dog and has always been used for hunting and tracking small game. It is a popular dog breed in India.

There isn't too much information on the exact origin of the dog but dog experts tell us the dogs have descended from different Spitz breeds and wild wolves, and that they date back thousands of years.

People often mix them up with the Pomeranian, but they're different, being introduced in India by the British. The British began breeding them from a stock of German Spitz's and years of breeding produced the ideal dog type which could cope with the tempestuous weather conditions in India.

They aren't recognized by any major kennel clubs but the Kennel Club of India is working to establish the Indian Spitz as a separate breed.

The Wheaten Terrier hails from Ireland, some 200 years ago.

wheaten terrierThe dog was bred to be a useful dog to have around the farm. He was needed to help with the guarding and herding of livestock and to keep the rat population down.

This little dog has a long history, but in spite of this, he wasn’t recognized as a breed in his home country by the Irish Kennel Club until 1937.

It was in 1943 that the Wheaten was recognized by the British Kennel Club. They were exported to the United States in the 1940s and recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1973.

Description

indian spitz puppy - descriptionThe Indian Spitz is an attractive, fluffy looking dog breed thought to have been domesticated thousands of years ago.

The dog comes in two sizes – the smaller- and larger size. The Smaller Indian Spitz stands at between 20 - 25 cm and weighs between 5 – 7kg while the Greater Indian Spitz stands at 35-45cm and weighs between 12 – 20kg.

The dog has a long-haired coat, with the hair on the head being shorter than the rest of the body. The color of the coat can be white, brown or black and white.

Temperament:

The Indian Spitz is an easy-going dog which adapts to all kinds of living conditions in India. They therefore adapt easily to life in the city or in the countryside.

The Indian Spitz is a social, friendly dog who is loyal towards his human family, showing his joy at being with them with high-pitched barking. He gets on well with children in the home and because he isn't aggressive, he gets on well with pets in the home too.

He is intelligent which means that he is able to be trained and socialized, turning him into an obedient pet who takes his job as guardian and protector seriously.

wheaten terrier puppy - descriptionThe Wheaten Terrier is a robustly built, medium-sized dog with males and females standing at between 43 to 50cm in height and weighing between 13 to 20kg.

The soft, single coat is a silky texture and a wheaten, gingery color. A bonus is that the coat doesn’t shed much. Puppies are born with darkish coats of a reddish-brown color but the coat lightens significantly as the puppy grows older.

Most Wheaten Terrier owners opt to have the dog professionally groomed. Their tails have always been docked.

Temperament:

Your Wheaten Terrier is a smart dog, albeit headstrong and stubborn. His intelligence makes it easy to have him trained.

They love their human family and aren’t known for any aggression issues. They’re energetic, playful dogs and are sometimes even looked upon as being hyperactive. They’re able to get along well with other dogs and cats in the house. They generally make great family pets.

These dogs are well suited to life in the city as well as the countryside just so long as he gets his daily walks and other forms of exercise.

Characteristics

indian spitz dog - characteristicsPlayful, feisty, intelligent, loving and loyal, the Indian Spitz is full of character and just loves being in a loving family home.

Easy to train, he becomes a wonderfully obedient canine friend who loves nothing more than to spend time with you, especially when it is outdoors going for a walk or playing ball.

He is an entertaining little dog too, and anyone wishing to buy a dog like this won't regret it as he brings in a joyful dimension to any home.

wheaten terrier dog - characteristicsThe Wheaten Terrier is such a bouncy, lively little dog that he brings joy into any home.

He is energetic, playful and full of the joys of living but you don’t want to take advantage of his good nature.

Don’t leave him stuck in your back yard but include him in all your family activities. He’s your best friend, providing you with unconditional love that few humans can equal.

Health Problems

indian spitz puppies - health problemsThese feisty little dogs can reach 14 years of age if looked after well.

Your Indian Spitz will need to see a vet when he is 6 weeks of age for his first vaccinations and also whenever he is sick.

He is a dog breed that doesn't get sick very easily, but still it is wise to know about some of the more common dog diseases that could plague your little pet, and these are among others, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, cancer and vision- and dental problems.

Dental Disease:

It is important to be keeping an eye on your dog's oral health. Infected teeth can have a bad impact on his health and can actually contribute to heart- and kidney disease for instance.

One of the major causes of dental disease in dogs is none other than diet. Always try to feed your pet the best quality food there is. Certainly if you feel your pet isn't getting the best food, try a probiotic supplement as this can create a healthy bacterial environment in your dog’s mouth.

Check your pet's mouth regularly so you can attend to any dental problem before it gets out of hand.

wheaten terrier puppies - health problemsYour Wheaten Terrier is a dog breed that can live healthily with you for a good number of years.

Just like most other dogs, they are prone to some heritable diseases. Perhaps a condition to look out for with this particular dog is protein wasting conditions - protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) and protein-losing enteropathy (PLE).

Both of these diseases are actually fatal but if caught early enough, they can be managed with dietary changes and medication.

Your dog produces proteins known as enzymes, one group being digestive enzymes that help with the breakdown and digestion of food. When your pet battles with malabsorption, digestive enzymes don’t absorb protein and it passes through the large intestine into the faeces. Your dog will have inflammatory bowel disease.

Dogs with PLE for instance, will have vomiting, diarrhoea and weight loss.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

indian spitz dogs - caringThese dogs have been used to a diet of milk and rice, but if possible it can be beneficial to the dog to include some cooked chicken and vegetables too. Raw meat is also important, but it is expensive, so just adding it in from time to time can still be beneficial. Water which is cool and clean should be available to the dog day and night, non-stop.

Grooming:

Your Spitz dog will simply require a brush twice a week to keep it clean and vibrant and free from loose hairs. While brushing him, make a point of checking him for fleas and ticks as well.

Exercise:

This is a busy little dog that wants to involved in everything you're busy with. He will love to join you in your long walks each day or if you take him to the park, he will love the chance to run off his leash.

wheaten terrier dogs - caringBrush your pet’s coat twice a week to keep it healthy and have him professionally trimmed to keep him looking nice and groomed.

Dental disease is a common problem with dogs, and more specifically small dogs. Dental problems start with tartar build-up on the teeth and then infection of the gums and roots can set in too. The teeth have to be kept in good condition as rotten teeth can have a negative impact on other important body parts like the heart and kidneys.

Have your pet vaccinated against bacterial and viral infections such as rabies and parvo.

Speak to your vet about the many worms and other parasites that can invade your pet’s body.

Have your Wheaten spayed or neutered if you want to avoid unwanted puppies.

Provide your Wheaten with the best food there is to encourage good health and longevity. Keep his meals simple and consistent and always go for high-quality foods that are in keeping with your dog’s age, Kibble as well as home-made food are good choices. Never leave your pet without a constant source of fresh, cool water.

Provide your Wheaten Terrier with good exercise. Remember though that these dogs are sensitive to warm temperatures, and you don’t want to have him exercising in hot weather because of the fear of heat stress.

Comparison with other breeds

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  5. Wheaten Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Wheaten Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Wheaten Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Wheaten Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Wheaten Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Wheaten Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Wheaten Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
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  25. Wheaten Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Indian Spitz vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Indian Spitz vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Indian Spitz vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Indian Spitz vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Indian Spitz vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Indian Spitz vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Indian Spitz vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Indian Spitz vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Indian Spitz vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Indian Spitz vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Indian Spitz vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Indian Spitz vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Indian Spitz vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Indian Spitz vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Indian Spitz vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Indian Spitz vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Indian Spitz vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Indian Spitz vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Indian Spitz vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Indian Spitz vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Indian Spitz vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Indian Spitz vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Indian Spitz vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Indian Spitz vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Indian Spitz vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison