“The Illustrated Standard” a superb book by Gay Sherman Dunlap, is the ultimate reference for breeders and exhibitors. It is available through www.scwtca.org .
Temperament
The Wheaten is a happy, steady dog and shows himself gaily (happily, tail up) with an air of self-confidence. He is alert and exhibits interest in his surroundings; exhibits less aggressiveness than is sometimes encouraged in other terriers.
Major Fault — Timid or overly aggressive dogs
General Appearance
- medium-sized, hardy, well balanced sporting terrier,
- square in outline
- soft, silky, gently waving coat of warm wheaten
- He should present the overall appearance of an alert and happy animal, graceful, strong and well coordinated.
Size, Proportion, Substance
- Presents a square outline
- A dog (male) shall be 18 to 19 inches at the withers
- A bitch (female) shall be 17 to 18 inches at the withers
Major Faults — Dogs under 18 inches or over 19 inches; bitches under 17 inches or over 18 inches
Head
- Well balanced and in proportion to the body. Rectangular in appearance; moderately long.
- Eyes dark reddish brown or brown, medium in size. Eye rims black.
Major Fault — Anything approaching a yellow eye.
- Ears small to medium in size, breaking level with the skull and dropping slightly forward
- Skull flat and clean between ears. Cheekbones not prominent. Defined stop.
- Muzzle powerful and strong Skull and foreface of equal length.
- Nose black and large for size of dog.
Major Fault — Any nose color other than solid black.
- Lips tight and black. Teeth large, clean and white; scissors or level bite.
Major Fault — Undershot or overshot.
Neck, Topline, Body
- Neck medium in length, clean and strong.
- Carried proudly, it gradually widens, blending smoothly into the body.
- Back strong and level.
- Body compact; relatively short coupled. Chest is deep. Ribs are well sprung but without roundness.
- Tail is set on high. Docked tail preferred. Whether docked or natural, the tail is to be carried upright 90* from the back, either straight or with a slight curve forward. Any deviation from this ideal is to be penalized accordingly
Forequarters
- Shoulders well laid back, clean and smooth; well knit.
- Forelegs straight and well boned. All dewclaws should be removed.
- Feet are round and compact with good depth of pad. Pads black. Nails dark.
Hindquarters
- Hind legs well developed with well bent stifles turning neither in nor out;
- Hocks well let down and parallel to each other. All dewclaws should be removed. The presence of dewclaws on the hind legs should be penalized. Feet are round and compact with good depth of pad. Pads black. Nails dark.
Coat
A distinguishing characteristic of the breed which sets the dog apart from all other terriers. An abundant single coat covering the entire body, legs and head; coat on the latter falls forward to shade the eyes.
- Texture soft and silky with a gentle wave. In both puppies and adolescents, the mature wavy coat is generally not yet evident.
Major Fault — Woolly or harsh, crisp or cottony, frizzy, kinky or standaway coat; in the adult, a straight coat is also objectionable.
Color
- Any shade of wheaten. Overall coloring must be clearly wheaten with no evidence of any other color except on ears and muzzle where blue-gray shading is sometimes present.
Major Fault — Any color save wheaten.
Puppies and Adolescents — Puppies under a year may carry deeper coloring and occasional black tipping. The adolescent, under two years, is often quite light in color, but must never be white or carry gray other than on ears and muzzle. However, by two years of age, the proper wheaten color should be obvious
Gait
Gait is free, graceful and lively with good reach in front and strong drive behind. Front and rear feet turn neither in nor out. Dogs who fail to keep their tail’s erect when moving should be severely penalized.