If you’re adopting a wheaten terrier in Florida, be sure to bookmark this page as an ongoing source of information until your wheaten puppy reaches adulthood. As wheaten terrier breeders in Jupiter, FL, for more than 7 years, Maddox Country Kennel has placed dozens of puppies into homes like yours. With our own family pack of 10 adult dogs, ranging in age from 2 to 7, we have first-hand experience and are happy to share our knowledge with you. Below are frequently asked questions and answers. If you have questions beyond those addressed here, feel free to drop us an e-mail or call. We’ll do our best to get you the information you’re looking for:
How old are Wheaten Terrier puppies when placed for adoption?
Responsible breeders typically start placing wheaten puppies for adoption no earlier than 8 weeks, when they start to wean themselves from their mothers. At Maddox, we evaluate each puppy and litter on a case-by-case basis to make sure our Florida wheaten terrier puppies are healthy and well adjusted.
What do wheaten terrier puppies look like?
Wheaten puppies are born with a dark mask on their faces and do not look like adults dogs. It is believed that this trait may be a throwback to the breed’s early history in Ireland. The wheaten puppy coat eventually grow out and starts showing the true coloring by about two years old. The proper wheaten terrier coloring includes a wide variety of shades, and is described as “the color of ripening wheat.” Coats that are white or very dark are not standard for wheaten terriers.
How do you need to prepare before bringing your wheaten terrier puppy home?
If you’re considering bringing a wheaten terrier into your Florida home, there are a few key elements to be aware of over normal puppy preparations. Wheaten terriers are escape artists and are bred to protect their patch of land from small vermin. Be sure you have a fenced yard, or your young pup could follow his instincts and take off at full speed chasing a squirrel or other intruder on his territory.
In addition, you will need to “puppy-proof” your home. Here’s a basic checklist of dog supplies you will need:
- Food and water bowls
- Dog crate – your full-grown dog should be able to stand up and turn around in a properly sized crate
- Dog food – try to get the same kind your wheaten terrier puppy has been eating and transition slowly to a new food type
- Toys, especially chew toys
- Collar
- Leash
- Recommended: baby gates to keep your puppy away from certain portions of your home until they are older.
What kind and how much food should a wheaten terrier puppy eat?
Wheaten terriers are medium sized, high energy dogs so they should be eating a high-protein diet. Be sure to buy puppy food – it will have the additional nutrients a growing wheaten terrier puppy needs.
Between 8 weeks and 12 weeks, wheaten terrier puppies grow significantly and therefore eat a lot of food. They will typically eat 1.5 – 2 cups twice a day. By the age of 6 months, their growth will slow down and you should start to reduce the amount you feed them.
How do you know if your wheaten terrier puppy is the proper weight?
Wheaten terriers are not considered fully mature until about 24 months old. Many people seek puppy weight charts to ensure their puppy is growing properly. Generally speaking, the following puppy weight chart gives you a sense of how fast your wheaten terrier should grow and when:
Wheaten terrier puppy weight chart
| Months | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 18 | 24 |
| Percent of full grown weight | 50% | 70% | 90% | 95% | 98% | 100% |
When do you start training a wheaten terrier puppy?
Basic training for any puppy, but especially wheaten terriers, should begin right away. In addition house training your puppy, you also need to set boundaries within your home to protect children, other pets, and your belongings. By establishing your authority early with simple commands, such as “sit” and “go to your bed”, you’ll pave the way for a happy, healthy relationship with your young wheaten dog.
The natural people-oriented disposition of the wheaten terrier makes them eager to please, a useful tool in positive reinforcement training techniques. Most dog obedience specialists recommend crate training for several reasons.
When do I start to introduce grooming tools to my wheaten terrier puppy?
A wheaten terrier puppy in Florida faces the additional challenge of a humid climate. Therefore, getting your Florida wheaten puppy used to the actions and tools associated with grooming is critical. The soft, open coat of the wheaten terrier is a magnet for the twigs, leaves and other debris found through South Florida and Central Florida. Follow these basic principles when introducing your Wheaten Terrier to grooming activities:
- Always start when your wheaten terrier puppy is already calm and relaxed.
- Provide lots of positive reinforcement as long as your wheaten terrier is behaving in a calm manner. Start by rewarding your puppy when they allow their feet, ears and muzzle to be handled by you during a grooming/training session.
- Eventually and gradually introduce grooming tools to your puppy. Without actually using them, allow your puppy to sniff any investigate tools, such as combs, brushes, scissors or clippers. You may want to do this two or three times before using the tools on your puppy.
- Make grooming time fun for your pet – this is a great opportunity to bond with your young pup.
Maddox Country Kennel can help make sure you get a well-balanced wheaten terrier puppy:
| Find out more about why a private wheaten terrier breeder is better |