History of Wheatens

The farmers of the counties of Munster – Claire, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, and Waterford – used terriers as general farm dogs. They protected people and property, worked cattle, kept down vermin, hunted badgers and foxes, and were even used as gun dogs. While the exact history is unknown, it seems clear that the three long-legged terriers of Ireland – the Soft Coated Wheaten, the Irish, and the Kerry Blue – all share a common background. The Wheaten was also probably involved in the development of the short-legged Glen of Imaal Terrier. The Wheaten was not even recognized as a breed by the Irish Kennel Club until 1937. Lydia Vogel of Massachusetts brought the first Wheatens to the United States in the 1940s. Real activity in the breed did not begin in this country until the late 1950s when the O’Connors and Arnolds imported their dogs. Wheatens were exhibited in the AKC Miscellaneous Class until October 1973 when they became recognized and exhibited in regular classes.