10 Dog Breeds Similar to the Wheaten Terrier
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The Wheaten Terrier is a medium-sized dog that weighs 30-40 pounds. It has a square body and a triangular head. There are two types of coats for this dog breed: American and Irish. The American coat is more stylized and needs constant care, while the Irish one is shiny and wavy. The Wheaten Terrier does not like to be away from its owner for even a few minutes. Also, the breed loves kids, so kids are safe around it. As cute and friendly the Wheaten Terrier is, not everyone will like it. First, its coat gets matted easily, so you must brush it constantly. Also, the dog tends to bark incessantly if not properly trained. Fortunately, there are dogs similar to it with varying features that you can consider. Here are the ten dog breeds similar to the Wheaten Terrier below.
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10. Wire Fox Terrier
The Wire Fox Terrier is squarely proportioned with a short back. Though it has a slightly waved coat, it never becomes curly. This dog breed enjoys digging. Its digging habit is a nod to their past as hunting dogs. To curb the digging, you must take it for regular walks or teach it some commands.
This dog breed is a good watchdog since it alerts the owner when a stranger is passing by. However, the dog remains reserved once you welcome the stranger into your home. Another notable feature of the dog is its love for adventure. Due to its penchant for adventure, training this breed can be a bit challenging. It easily gets bored when subjected to the same training tactics, so you will have to use different tricks. The dog breed makes a great companion for kids due to its playful nature. It rarely gets tired from playing, so children can play with it anytime they feel like it.
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9. Cairn Terrier
Cairn terriers have broad heads with small erect ears. They have compact bodies with rather short legs. Additionally, they have a soft undercoat and a shaggy water-resistant outer coat. Cairn terriers value the company of their owners a lot. They can even follow you to the bathroom. Generally, this dog breed is very sensitive. When you scold it, it will remain upset for a while.
When you take this dog for a walk, ensure it is on a leash at all times. If you let it roam freely, it will chase after animals, and you may lose sight of it. Also, you should not leave the dog unsupervised in your yard. It likes to dig any ground, including your flower garden. As for grooming, you need to brush its teeth 2-3 times a week. However, there is no harm in brushing its teeth daily. Brushing its teeth minimizes tartar buildup. Tartar causes pain and liver problems at an advanced stage.
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8. Irish Terrier
The Irish terrier is an all-rounded breed that combines endurance, speed, and agility. Its coat is dense and wiry, which makes it appear shattered. It has a rectangular body and an erect tail. The dog is friendly towards people but not to other animals. That is because it prefers being the only pet in the house that gets all the attention.
Irish terriers like to play, but their version of playing is very different. They may tear newspapers, jump on the dining table, or bark at people. As a result, you have to train your dog to understand what is acceptable and unacceptable. Your training must be firm but not harsh since they are sensitive to harsh treatment. In terms of grooming, this breed is very low-maintenance. It has a short, coarse coat that sheds minimally. All you need to do is brush its coat once a week.
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7. Coton de Tulear
The Coton de Tulear is a small, sturdy dog with a fluffy white coat. It is never a dull moment with this dog. This dog is playful and loves to cling to its owners. Another thing that makes this dog endearing is its vocal nature. When you talk to it, it will not keep quiet as other dogs do. Additionally, it likes to entertain its owners with its vocals and abrupt movements.
This dog is flexible, as it can play anywhere. Therefore, it does not need to play on a massive yard. Moreover, it does well in apartment settings. Even though it can play within an apartment, it is still crucial to allow it to play outside. A significant advantage of this dog is its long lifespan. According to Daily Paws, it has a lifespan of 14-17 years. Its long lifespan is because it rarely gets life-threatening diseases. The dog only contracts diseases that can be managed, such as ear and skin issues.
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6. Australian Terrier
This dog breed is small, sturdy, and medium-boned. It has a ruff around the neck and a topknot of long hair, which gives it that intelligent look. The Australian terrier is a dog that likes adventures, which means you have to make it exercise daily. If you do not let it exercise, it tends to become irritable. The dog is reserved around strangers. As for other dogs, it gets along with them very well.
Training this breed can be rather frustrating since it is obstinate and gets easily distracted. That means your training sessions have to be short and frequent to prevent boredom. Also, positive reinforcement training is the best method to train it. That means you must reward it with treats when it displays desired behaviors. The dog does not need to eat so much. According to Dog Time, it only requires ½ to 1 cup of dry food per day. Though it is known for having a hearty appetite, it will hardly overeat.
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5. Afghan Hound
“Elegant” is a word you can use to describe the Afghan hound, thanks to its long silky coat. The long coat protects the dog from cold nights at high altitudes. It has a short back and a steep pelvis to enable it to leap to great heights. The dog is devoted to its owners but aloof around strangers. Early puppy training is your best bet if you want this dog to get used to strangers.
The attractive feature of this dog is its long coat. To keep the coat attractive, you must groom the dog often. Since the coat is fine, it tends to tangle easily. That means you have to brush it daily. Besides brushing it regularly, you must also bathe it daily. Since grooming the dog can be time-consuming and difficult for some people, you can hire a professional groomer. This dog has a natural hunting drive, which means it requires plenty of exercise. It requires two hours of exercise daily that combines walking and running. If you like, you can also take it for a swim since it likes to swim.
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4. Spanish Water Dog
This robust, medium-sized breed has a curly, wooly coat. The dog is muscular, as evidenced by its broad chest and tucked-up belly. This dog easily forms strong bonds with the people it lives with. Expect the dog to follow your every movement. Due to its social nature, it makes a good playmate for children. Interestingly, the dog may sometimes bond with one family member. Nevertheless, it enjoys when the family unit stays together.
Unlike other dogs in this article, you should not brush its coat. Brushing damages the natural structure of the cords, which means the coat will lose its rustic appeal. If you must remove mats on its coat, use your finger instead of a brush. The Spanish water dog tends to be nervous when exposed to unfamiliar situations or surroundings. To prevent that from happening, it is important to socialize the breed as a puppy in different environments. It would help if you exposed the dog to children, other dogs, or noises from fireworks.
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3. Bedlington Terrier
From afar, you can confuse this dog with a lamb. That is because of its long jaw, narrow head, and arched back. This dog is friendly to strangers and children. However, adopting the pup may not be a good idea if you have a cat. It is unwelcoming to cats, so you have to socialize it as a puppy to coexist with cats. You can describe this dog as a fighter since it rarely backs down from a challenge. The dog is intelligent, which makes training it easy. However, if your training becomes harsh, the dog will respond by becoming more stubborn. The best way of training the dog is through positive reinforcement techniques like praise, play, and food rewards.
Trimming the dog’s nails is an important part of grooming. You should trim them once or twice a month. If you hear the nails clicking on the floor as it walks, that is a sign you should cut them. The purpose of trimming them is so that it doesn’t accidentally scratch you as you play with it.
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2. Maltese Dog
Maltese is tiny, as it only weighs 4-6 pounds. It has a long, silky coat that hangs close to the ground or sweeps it. Additionally, it has hair on the head that you could tie in a topknot. This dog really loves human company. If it is not on your lap, it will probably be sitting on your feet. Due to its friendliness towards people, it is prone to separation anxiety. You can help reduce separation anxiety through crate training. Crate training is the process of teaching the dog to accept the cage as an alternative safe location.
The dog is extremely active in the house. Since it is so active, it does not require much exercise. Also, the dog stays in shape without much effort from the owner. However, that does not mean you should not take it outside for walks. A common problem Maltese dog owners face is tear and face staining. The staining occurs when the puppy is 4-5 months old. There are measures you can take to stop the staining. First, you should feed it purified water instead of mineral water. Water with high mineral content contributes to the staining. After meals, you should clean its eyes with warm water and wash its beard.
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1. Border Terrier
The dog’s skull is moderately broad and flat, with plenty of width between the eyes and ears. Due to its head shape, it somewhat resembles an otter. The dog has deep hazel eyes, which give off the “puppy dog eyes” look. Incidentally, the dog gives you the look when it wants more treats. The Border terrier is active and likes to play games, which makes them good playmates for children.
This dog is greatly affected by lack of exercise. If it does not get enough exercise, it can suddenly gain weight. When it is overweight, it is prone to heart disease, arthritis, and high blood pressure. Also, the dog will become bored if it does not exercise. As a result, it will become destructive and noisy, much to the displeasure of your neighbors. Therefore, the dog requires 30 minutes of exercise daily, which involves walking or a game of fetch. This dog is one of the easiest to groom. Most of the time, it only requires a brushing every week or an occasional bath. However, there is a period when the dog will begin to shed a lot of fur. If that happens, you will have to brush it daily. Fortunately, the seasonal shedding lasts 2-4 weeks, which means you will be back to brushing it weekly in no time.
Conclusion
Whether you get the Wheaten Terrier or its alternatives, caring for them is crucial. Some people may adopt a dog because of its beautiful coat. Later, some begin complaining about how terrible their dog’s fur has become. That is because some people do not realize how much effort goes into maintaining their coats. Also, we have mentioned the importance of exercise. The cute dog you adopted can quickly become a nightmare if you deny it exercises. Only adopt a dog if you are ready to care for it.