Wheaten Terrier vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison

Wheaten Terrier is originated from Ireland but Bullenbeisser is originated from Germany. Wheaten Terrier may grow 14 cm / 5 inches shorter than Bullenbeisser. Wheaten Terrier may weigh 14 kg / 30 pounds lesser than Bullenbeisser. Both Wheaten Terrier and Bullenbeisser has same life span. Wheaten Terrier may have less litter size than Bullenbeisser. Wheaten Terrier requires Moderate maintenance. But Bullenbeisser requires Low maintenance

History

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

wheaten terrier - historyThe 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.

Known also as the German Bulldog, the Bullenbeisser was a strong dog which is now unfortunately extinct. There were two regional types – the Brabanter- and the Danziger Bullenbeisser.This Molosser-type dog was native to Germany and was bred for different hunting purposes.

Nobody is quite sure what dogs are included in Molossers, but they are essentially large dogs bred to hunting and rescue, tending to have a shorter muzzle. The Bullenbeisser is famous for the role the dog has played in the development of the wonderful dog we have today, the Boxer. In fact, some Bullenbeissers were crossed by the Boxer Kennel Club of Germany with Bulldogs from the UK.

Not much is known about the history of the Bullenbeisser, but the breed also has a history in the lands of the Holy Roman Empire. The dog was at first a type of Mastiff, large and with the typical brachycephalic head, and used for hunting because of their power.

To improve their dogs, many Bullenbeisser breeders began crossing their dogs with English Bulldogs, introducing a white coat to the Bullenbeisser. Other breeds were also crossed with the dog such as the Bull Terrier, but by the end of the 19th century, the traditional Bullenbeisser was slowly dying out. It was in the late 1870s that German breeders, Hopner, Konig and Roberth used the dog to bring about a new breed, which today is known as the Boxer.

Description

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.

The Boxers lineage comes from the Bullenbeisser. The Bullenbeisser was a fierce, courageous dog, noted for its hunting abilities. The dog was developed into the Boxer so that its body become more defined and more streamlined.

Described as a medium to large muscular dog, standing roughly 63cm in height, he would have weighed in the region of 32kg. He had a short coat, brown eyes and short to medium ears which were half erect, half floppy.

Brown to fawn in color, he had a long tail which was later docked to give the dog a more distinctive, attractive look. The dog also got its attractive fawn color from the English Bulldog. Loyal, active and loving, the Bullenbeisser was a true family dog with a close affinity to children.

Characteristics

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.

Information on the extinct Bullenbeisser is limited, but because he was used to bring about the Boxer you can be sure that he would have been fearless, courageous and territorial of his property and of his human family.

The Bullenbeisser would have been a good watch-dog and with the right kind of loving care, a most awesome and loving family companion.

Health Problems

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.

In general, medium to large breeds like the Bullenbeisser have a lifespan of 10, 11 or 12 years. The life expectancy of these dogs relied much on the lifestyle they led and their diets.

The Bullenbeisser had a deep chest and this made dogs like this prone to gastric dilatation and bloat which can be life-threatening and which requires immediate veterinary intervention. The dog with this disease has distension of the abdomen and extreme discomfort, wanting to vomit but being unable to do so.

Hip Dysplasia:

Hip Dysplasia is a disease which is more common in larger dogs and is an abnormal formation of the hip socket, resulting in lameness accompanied by painful arthritis.

Caring The Pet

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.

Grooming:

The Bullenbeisser was a mastiff like breed with a short, easy-to-care for coat. He would have required a good brushing down at least twice a week to remove the coat from loose hairs. As an active, outdoor-type dog, he would have had to have his ears checked for dirt and the possibility of infection.

Exercise:

Although the Bullenbeisser was a hunting dog, he no doubt led an active outdoor lifestyle. Dogs such as the Boxer and the Mastiff, which are descendants of this dog are the kind of dogs which will need to be exercised regularly, taken on walks and given lots of running games with a ball.

Diet:

As a medium to larger breed with lots of energy, the Bullenbeisser would have no doubt had home-made food from his master’s table. This food would have included meat and vegetables. As a hunting dog he would have had the chance to get in some raw meat which is imperative for the health of any domesticated dog today.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Molosser dogs
Origin:
Ireland
Germany
Height Male:
43 - 50 cm
16 - 20 inches
53 - 64 cm
20 - 26 inches
Height Female:
43 - 50 cm
16 - 20 inches
51 - 62 cm
20 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
13 - 20 kg
28 - 45 pounds
25 - 34 kg
55 - 75 pounds
Weight Female:
13 - 20 kg
28 - 45 pounds
23 - 34 kg
50 - 75 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 8
8 - 11
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
The Wheaten
German Bulldog
Colors Available:
Wheaten, gingery
Fawn or Brownish
Coat:
Soft single coat
short and dense
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Wheaten Terrier vs American Pit Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Wheaten Terrier vs Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  3. Wheaten Terrier vs Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  4. Wheaten Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  5. Wheaten Terrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Wheaten Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  7. Wheaten Terrier vs Bedlington Terrier - Breed Comparison
  8. Wheaten Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Wheaten Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  10. Wheaten Terrier vs Kerry Blue Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Wheaten Terrier vs Austrian Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  12. Wheaten Terrier vs Lakeland Terrier - Breed Comparison
  13. Wheaten Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  14. Wheaten Terrier vs Jagdterrier - Breed Comparison
  15. Wheaten Terrier vs Blue Paul Terrier - Breed Comparison
  16. Wheaten Terrier vs Indian Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  17. Wheaten Terrier vs Irish Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Wheaten Terrier vs Japanese Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Wheaten Terrier vs Brazilian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  20. Wheaten Terrier vs Old English Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Wheaten Terrier vs Scoland Terrier - Breed Comparison
  22. Wheaten Terrier vs Skye Terrier - Breed Comparison
  23. Wheaten Terrier vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Wheaten Terrier vs Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Wheaten Terrier vs Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Catahoula Bulldog vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  27. Cao Fila de Sao Miguel vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  28. Finnish Hound vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  29. Chow Chow vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  30. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  31. Dalmatian vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  32. Golden Doodle vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  33. Pomsky vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  34. Sakhalin Husky vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  35. Other vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  36. Chinese Shar Pei vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  37. Olde English Bulldogge vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  38. English Springer Spaniel vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  39. Old English Bulldog vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  40. Schnauzer vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  41. Puggle vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  42. Brittany vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  43. King Charles Spaniel vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  44. Fox Terrier vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  45. Schnoodle vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  46. Collie vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  47. Pharaoh Hound vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  48. English Setter vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  49. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  50. Catahoula Leopard vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds