History

The Wheaten Terrier originates from Ireland where it was bred as a poor man's all-purpose farm dog. A Wheaten's tasks included everything from protecting people & property to herding cattle to hunting badgers, foxes and vermin. At times they were even used as gun dogs.

Wheatens share their long ancestry with Irish and Kerry Blue Terriers, and they were likely used in developing a relatively recent breed - the Glen of Imaal Terrier. While Wheatens were used for at least 200 years, the breed was not officially recognized by the Irish Kennel Club until St. Patrick's Day, 1937 with sponsorship of Dr. G.J. Pierse. It was on that day that the wheaten debuted in the Irish Kennel Club Championship Show. At that time and for many years following, the breed was required to qualify in field trials over rat, rabbit, and badger in order to attain championship. This is no longer a requirement for the wheaten terrier. Wheatens were later registered with The Kennel Club (England) in 1943.

The first wheatens were brought to the United States in the 1940s by Lydia Vogel (Massachusetts). In the late 1950s, the O'Connors and the Arnolds imported their wheatens as well. Increased activity surrounding the breed did not come about until 1962, again on St. Patrick's Day. On that date the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America was founded in Brooklyn, NY with the goal of preserving, protecting, and promoting the wheaten breed in the United States. They wished to increase public interest over the breed with the end goal of attaining American Kennel Club registration. They achieved this goal on May 1, 1973 when the AKC admitted the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier to registration in their Stud Book. On October 1, 1973, wheatens were classified in the terrier group.

Since then, the breed has only seen an increase in public interest and AKC registrations. Club membership continues to increase and each year, and more and more wheatens are shown in both AKC and non-AKC breed and obedience competitions. While you certainly won't find a wheaten terrier in every neighborhood, their popularity is growing quickly!