Breed Characteristics

Head 

The muzzle is longer than the skull.

Strong, but without harshness, hair colour the same as in other parts of the body.

Cranial region: Head is long, in good proportion to the body, the skull flat and without wrinkles, not too wide between the ears.

Cheeks: Not prominent bones.

Muzzle

Black and well developed.

Eyes

Dark, dark hazel, not too large, not prominent, well placed.

Teeth

Teeth large, regular, scissors or pincer bite; not overshot or undershot.

Ears

Small to medium-sized bears in front, level with the skull. Dark shading on a base of ear allowed and not uncommon, accompanied by a bright knitted gaiter. This is the only area where dogs are permitted lining. “Rose” or “flying” ears are objectionable.

Neck and Body

Moderately long and strong, with no excess skin.

Body: Tight and not too long, straight upper line.

Chest

Deep, well-arched ribs.

Tail

Well set, not too thick, carried gaily

The forequarters

Shoulders: Fine, well laid back, muscular.

Forequarters: Perfectly straight viewed from any side, good frame and strong muscles

The hindquarters

Loin: Short and strong.

Upper thigh: Strong and muscular.

Hindquarters: Well developed, strong muscles, good angles, hocks low-placed and are rotated both inside or out. Dewclaws should be removed.

Movement

Feet: Small, closed, black fingernails, but the diversity of dark colors allowed.

Movement: Parallel to the front, and back, elbows popular, free, liquid movement

Coat

Coat: Soft, silky to the touch, not sharp (with the exception of young dogs), shearing allowed. Color: Any shade from light wheaten to a golden red wheat. Length: 12.7 at uncropped dogs. Tip: Irish, English, American (mentioned in the literature and the Canadian)

Groomed dog: Coat short on the body, neck, chest and skull, left very long in the muzzle and over the eyes, beard and mustache are nurtured, abundant hair on the legs, body hair short so that it follows the contours of the body, tail arranged so that tapering towards the top.

Non-groomed dog: The hair is left longer than 12.7cm, lush and soft, wavy or slightly curly (length does not mean fullness). Hair should not be like a poodle or bobtail. Dogs given in this type of hair must be punished severely because they give a wrong impression of type and breed. Particular attention should be paid to the development of hair in puppies. Pups are seldom born with the hair of adequate quality, but they go through several changes of color and texture before the final development. The required quality should be achieved at the age of 18-24 months.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are born red, grey, and sometimes quite yellow in color, always with a black mask. Sometimes there is a dark stripe along the middle part of the back, or the black tops of the hairs on the body. These dark markings disappear with age, the color black is allowed at any age with the exception of a dog with a muzzle which gradually disappears.