Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed ComparisonCao da Serra de Aires is originated from Portugal but Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. Both Cao da Serra de Aires and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier are having almost same height. Cao da Serra de Aires may weigh 7 kg / 16 pounds more than Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier. Both Cao da Serra de Aires and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier has almost same life span. Both Cao da Serra de Aires and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier has almost same litter size. Both Cao da Serra de Aires and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Terrier dog
undefined
Portugal
United Kingdom
Height Male:
45 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
43 - 50 cm
16 - 20 inches
Height Female:
42 - 53 cm
16 - 21 inches
43 - 50 cm
16 - 20 inches
Weight Male:
17 - 27 kg
37 - 60 pounds
13 - 20 kg
28 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
15 - 27 kg
33 - 60 pounds
13 - 20 kg
28 - 45 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
10 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 6
2 - 8
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Portuguese Sheepdog, Portuguese Shepherd Dog
Wheaten, Wheatie
Colors Available:
Fawn, gray, yellow and black
tan, gingerish, Fawn, wheaten
Coat:
Long, shaggy, single-layer coat,
Soft, silky, wavy to curly
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Detached, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

cao da serra de airesAncestors of the Cao da Sera de Aires were used for herding livestock in the Serra de Aires and Alentejo, Portugal. This herding dog is native to Portugal and throughout the 20th Century he was kept as a working dog.

Known also as the Portuguese Sheepdog, Portuguese Shepherd Dog or Serra de Aires Mountain Dog, there are some questions surrounding the breed's ancestry as there are few records of dogs before 1900. The dog is thought to be related to the Pyrenean and Catalan Sheepdogs and that it has descended from Briards which were imported into Portugal and crossed with the Pyrenean Sheepdog.

The Cão da Serra de Aires breed standard was accepted by the Portuguese Kennel Club, and the breed was recognized internationally in 1996. The dog was also recognized by the United Kennel Club in the Herding Group in 2006.

soft coated wheaten terrierThis 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.

Description

cao da serra de aires puppy - descriptionThe beautiful Cão da Serra de Aires is a medium-sized dog. He stands at 45 to 55 cm at the withers and weighs about 17 to 27 kg. He is recognizable by the long, shaggy, single-layer coat, of straight or slightly wavy hair. Don’t be deceived by the coat as below, the dog has a muscular, athletic body.

The coat comes in different shades such as fawn, gray, yellow and black. The dog has a long tail which is held straight out or down and he has medium-length, floppy ears. You’ve got to look hard, as the facial features of the dog are hidden by its shaggy coat. He has a lot of facial hair that sometimes you have to wonder if he can see out of his eyes.

Temperament:

The Cao da Serra de Aires is a wonderful canine companion and is devoted and loyal, forming strong bonds with their human family. He is a playful, amicable dog and gets on well with children in the home as well as with other pets.

He is intelligent and trainable, and when properly trained and socialized,he becomes an even nicer pet to have around and is obedient to his master’s voice. He is territorial, strong willed and dominant and makes a good watchdog too.

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.

Characteristics

cao da serra de aires dog - characteristicsThe Cão da Serra de Aires is such a loyal dog to his human family that he makes a splendid pet. He is active, having worked historically at herding and guarding.

Socialization and obedience training ensure that he becomes an exceptional pet and he has a host of positive attributes to his name – he is intelligent, energetic, loyal and loving. He may have been used long ago to guard livestock, but today he is selected as a pet specifically for his excellent companionship and for his protective nature.

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.

Health Problems

cao da serra de aires puppies - health problemsAs with most dogs that are looked after well, their health can be good. The Cao da Serra de Aires isn’t likely to keep you at the vet often. Just like with any good dog, there are some health disorders that can benefit you to know about.

Being forewarned , you can get your pet to the vet quickly before the illness gets out of hand.

There are some pet owners who want to have their pets tested by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals as well as the Canine Eye Registration Foundation to rule out health defects such as hip dysplasia and cataracts before they manifest themselves in their pets. This is of particular importance to breeders so as to prevent the parent dogs passing bad genetic conditions to the puppies.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a common skeletal disease where the dog’s hip joints don’t develop properly. It can be terribly painful for your pet to get around. It’s a genetic condition and while it is more prevalent in big dogs, any breeds are susceptible.

Your dog will battle along with painful joints and sometimes his hind-end will be lame. You’ll notice that once lying down, he battles to get up again. Fortunately vets are well acquainted with this ailment and they have different options to treat and manage it.

Cataracts:

Cataracts in your dog come about from a disease process which affects the lens of the eye. The eye loses its transparency and impairs vision. There are some instances where cataracts can cause blindness. You’ll see a whitish gray area in your pets eye. The most common cause of cataracts is genetics. Get your pet to the vet who will do certain tests to evaluate the eyes and make a recommendation.

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.

Caring The Pet

cao da serra de aires dogs - caringAs a working dog used to long hours of action, the Cao da Serra de Aires will need lots of activity. He’ll need you taking him for long walks and playing ball games with him. He can become frustrated and destructive when left without any physical stimulation.

Grooming

The Cao da Serra de Aires may have long hair but he isn’t high maintenance. He won’t require professional grooming, but will require a good brush a least twice a week. This is because the long coat can tangle.

To keep him looking his best, you’ll want to be trimming the hair around his paws. Another important grooming task is checking his ears and cleaning them. You have to be careful about cleaning your pet ears if you don’t know how, as it could damage the ears. Your vet can always advise you on how this is done.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Cao da Serra de Aires vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Cao da Serra de Aires vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Cao da Serra de Aires vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Cao da Serra de Aires vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Cao da Serra de Aires vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Cao da Serra de Aires vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison