Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Irish Red and White Setter - Breed Comparison

This 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.

Classified as a gun dog in the UK for hunting game birds, and as a sporting dog in the USA, the Irish Red and White Setter was available with his red and white coat. Breeders however, started focusing essentially on the red variety so that the red-and-white setter all but disappeared.

Fortunately, the breed was revived and considered a separate breed from the Irish Setter. He has gained recognition with all the major kennel clubs.

The 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.

The Irish Red and White Setter is a large dog standing at between 56 – 61cm, both male and female, and weighing at around 25 to 34kg.

Always used as a gun dog for its speed and scent, its head is carried high and its long feathery tail is held out level with its back and then it ‘sets’ into a pose, giving its handler a clue where the bird is hiding.

The Irish Red and White Setter has a lean, muscled body which is well proportioned, being slightly more heavily built than the Irish Setter. He also has a broader head.

The coat is shortish but it has those long silky fringes which are known as feathering around the tail, chest and legs. The Irish Red and White Setter is red and white but you may find some freckling around the legs and muzzle. The ears are usually red and they are long, silky and floppy.

Temperament:

As gun dogs, the Irish Red and White Setter is a loyal and devoted family pet who can become a good friend of children too as they love to play. He is a lithe dog and bounding in energy, and he will therefore require a reasonably sized garden.

He will need to be trained and socialized and once trained he makes an obedient and reliable companion.

The 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.

The Irish Red and White Setter is every bit as beautiful as the Red- or Irish Setter even though he may not be as well known.

Setter lovers are thrilled that this beautiful, playful, well tempered dog has been saved from extinction. He has plenty of stamina to be an excellent sporting dog.

He is intelligent too and easily trained. He is an affectionate, loyal, gentle, devoted family dog and he has also got good looks on his side.

Give him the right kind of food, a warm, dry place to sleep, lots of exercise and games and your love and attention, and you’ve got a friend for life.

When 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.

Chronic Allergies:

Dogs like the Setter can get chronic allergies if they’re exposed to the same food over and over again. Setters are prone to chronic allergies when exposed to a food such as soy. That is why if you’re unsure, rather speak to a dog expert about what to feed a Setter and what to avoid.

Heart Disease:

Feed your Setter foods rich in taurine to avoid heart disease. Taurine is found in chicken and red meat. You can see how important the right food is for your setter as the wrong food can cause a host of illnesses.

Grooming:

Brush 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:

Grooming your beautiful Irish Red and White Setter isn’t going to be a difficult task, and a good brush twice a week will ensure he stays looking his best.

Because he has long ears, these should be checked, especially if the dog loves to swim. Water, dust, debris and wax can build up and cause an ear infection.

His nails will also need to be trimmed if they get too long and don’t naturally wear down.

Exercise:

This is a beautiful dog that offers ruggedness and endurance, and essentially he needs to be a country dog or live in a home where there is a good sized garden. He loves being on the go, and is a dog that will gladly join you on your hikes, cycling trips or swimming – you can count him in.

Diet:

Irish Red and White Setters are an active breed and are naturally lean and lithe, being fast runners. Make sure to give them the right food so that they maintain this muscle mass.

If in any doubt, speak to your vet to find out what is essential for a dog like this. Protein for instance is vitally important as are fats. These dogs need high amounts of energy. Vitamins and minerals are also very important for keeping a dog healthy and strong.

Try and include some nutritious home-made food into his kibble such as cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables as well as some raw meat occasionally. These dogs can develop horrible skin allergies if they don’t get in some raw meat from time to time.

Fresh, cool water should be constantly available to your pet.