Is a Wheaten the right pet for you? Your dog will depend on you throughout his or her life.
With proper care a Wheaten may live 14 years or more. Are you willing to care properly for it
and provide a stable home for that long?
Don't get a dog without considering and planning for the costs of such a responsibility.
Normal veterinary care includes spaying or neutering (included in the adoption fee), shots
and boosters, yearly veterinary check-ups, licenses, etc. Preventive and consistent care is
less expensive in the long run.
Here are some questions and points to consider to help you decide if a Wheaten is the right
pet for you.
1) How much time can you spend with a dog? Wheatens are extremely social creatures, they
will not be happy left out in the yard or in a house or crate alone for long periods of time.
You must be commited to spending several hours a day with the dog.
2) What kind of space can you provide for a dog? If you live in a small apartment, you must
take this into consideration. Many dogs will not do well in a small apartment unless you
expend a great deal of effort to meet their needs. Dogs can be pretty adaptable as long as
you help them out. Wheatens do best when crate trained so you will need to have space for
one or more crates.
3) How much money can you set aside for the care and feeding of a dog? You will be
responsible to buy food, pay for veterinary check-ups, vaccinations and routine care. Then
there are food bowls, toys (lots of toys!) collars, licenses, ID tags, leashes, carriers, etc. etc.
over the lifetime of the dog. It may also become necessary to replace items that the dog
may damage or destroy. One trip to the ER for your pet can easily set you back hundreds of
dollars. Do you have the financial resources for this?
4) How much exercise can you give a dog? If you are very busy and your time is limited, a
Wheaten is not for you. They are high energy terriers and require consistant exercise and
attention. If you do not have a fenced yard you will have to walk your pet 2 or more times
every day on a leash. Wheatens can NEVER, NEVER, NEVER be trusted off leash in a
unfenced area.
5) How much grooming are you prepared to do? Wheatens have EXTREMELY high
maintenance coats. You must be prepared to thoroughly comb out your dog at least every
other day and make trips to the groomer every 4-6 weeks. Failure to comb your dog out will
result in mats that are nearly impossible to comb out and will ruin the dogs coat. Grooming
is a part of good health. Are you prepared to pay for grooming? You can expect to pay $65 -
$150 per grooming session depending on the area you live in and the expertise of the
groomer.
6) How much training are you prepared to do and pay for? Wheatens are extremely
intelligent dogs. If you don't train your Wheaten you can be assured that your Wheaten will
train you and you may not like the results. Taking your Wheaten through obedience school
is a condition of adoption. A trained dog can go more places with you without disruption
and can more easily be a part of your life. You are responsible for your dogs behavior, this
means you must keep your dog under control. Do not let your dog roam. Keep your dog on a
leash when out of a fenced yard and always clean up after your dog when it eliminates.
7) What are you looking for in a dog? Do you want a dog that will jog with you? Go on long
walks in the woods with you? Do you want a bouncy dog who is ready to go or a more
sedate, relaxed dog? Do you want a dog that gets along with other dogs? Have you
thoroughly researched the breed to see if it will fit in with you and your lifestyle?
8) You are making a long term commitment. Your dog will need attention, love and respect
from you. Food and water are not enough. Consider your dog to be part of your family, that
is what your dog will think about you. You are its pack.
9) You are responsible for your dogs health. Choose a veterinarian before you even get
your dog and take your dog there immediately. Even if you are sure the dog is healthy, the
veterinarian confirms that and makes sure you are aware of what health checks are
required next. Wheatens can be susceptible to some genetic conditions and will need to
have their blood tested on a yearly basis.
10) You are still responsible for the dog when you 'get one for your child'. Until your child
reaches a certain age, he or she will not have the maturity to take responsiblity for a dog.
Dogs acquired for this reason often wind up in shelters when the parents realize that they
are the dogs primary caretaker. A dog can be a good way to teach your child responsibility,
but the dog is still your main responsibility.
11) You are responsible for becoming more knowledgeable about dogs. Don't let your dog
end up back in rescue with excuses like "couldn't be housebroken" or "couldn't be
trained". These are cop-outs and excuses used by lazy owners who do not take the time
necessary to properly train their dog. Find some good books to read about dogs and dog
behavior. Your local library and bookstore will have many. Enroll in puppy or dog classes
and learn from an instructor. These classes can be fun for you and your dog!
12) Be prepared for a a new dog. Never give a dog as a "surprise gift". All family members
must agree on having a dog.
With proper care a Wheaten may live 14 years or more. Are you willing to care properly for it
and provide a stable home for that long?
Don't get a dog without considering and planning for the costs of such a responsibility.
Normal veterinary care includes spaying or neutering (included in the adoption fee), shots
and boosters, yearly veterinary check-ups, licenses, etc. Preventive and consistent care is
less expensive in the long run.
Here are some questions and points to consider to help you decide if a Wheaten is the right
pet for you.
1) How much time can you spend with a dog? Wheatens are extremely social creatures, they
will not be happy left out in the yard or in a house or crate alone for long periods of time.
You must be commited to spending several hours a day with the dog.
2) What kind of space can you provide for a dog? If you live in a small apartment, you must
take this into consideration. Many dogs will not do well in a small apartment unless you
expend a great deal of effort to meet their needs. Dogs can be pretty adaptable as long as
you help them out. Wheatens do best when crate trained so you will need to have space for
one or more crates.
3) How much money can you set aside for the care and feeding of a dog? You will be
responsible to buy food, pay for veterinary check-ups, vaccinations and routine care. Then
there are food bowls, toys (lots of toys!) collars, licenses, ID tags, leashes, carriers, etc. etc.
over the lifetime of the dog. It may also become necessary to replace items that the dog
may damage or destroy. One trip to the ER for your pet can easily set you back hundreds of
dollars. Do you have the financial resources for this?
4) How much exercise can you give a dog? If you are very busy and your time is limited, a
Wheaten is not for you. They are high energy terriers and require consistant exercise and
attention. If you do not have a fenced yard you will have to walk your pet 2 or more times
every day on a leash. Wheatens can NEVER, NEVER, NEVER be trusted off leash in a
unfenced area.
5) How much grooming are you prepared to do? Wheatens have EXTREMELY high
maintenance coats. You must be prepared to thoroughly comb out your dog at least every
other day and make trips to the groomer every 4-6 weeks. Failure to comb your dog out will
result in mats that are nearly impossible to comb out and will ruin the dogs coat. Grooming
is a part of good health. Are you prepared to pay for grooming? You can expect to pay $65 -
$150 per grooming session depending on the area you live in and the expertise of the
groomer.
6) How much training are you prepared to do and pay for? Wheatens are extremely
intelligent dogs. If you don't train your Wheaten you can be assured that your Wheaten will
train you and you may not like the results. Taking your Wheaten through obedience school
is a condition of adoption. A trained dog can go more places with you without disruption
and can more easily be a part of your life. You are responsible for your dogs behavior, this
means you must keep your dog under control. Do not let your dog roam. Keep your dog on a
leash when out of a fenced yard and always clean up after your dog when it eliminates.
7) What are you looking for in a dog? Do you want a dog that will jog with you? Go on long
walks in the woods with you? Do you want a bouncy dog who is ready to go or a more
sedate, relaxed dog? Do you want a dog that gets along with other dogs? Have you
thoroughly researched the breed to see if it will fit in with you and your lifestyle?
8) You are making a long term commitment. Your dog will need attention, love and respect
from you. Food and water are not enough. Consider your dog to be part of your family, that
is what your dog will think about you. You are its pack.
9) You are responsible for your dogs health. Choose a veterinarian before you even get
your dog and take your dog there immediately. Even if you are sure the dog is healthy, the
veterinarian confirms that and makes sure you are aware of what health checks are
required next. Wheatens can be susceptible to some genetic conditions and will need to
have their blood tested on a yearly basis.
10) You are still responsible for the dog when you 'get one for your child'. Until your child
reaches a certain age, he or she will not have the maturity to take responsiblity for a dog.
Dogs acquired for this reason often wind up in shelters when the parents realize that they
are the dogs primary caretaker. A dog can be a good way to teach your child responsibility,
but the dog is still your main responsibility.
11) You are responsible for becoming more knowledgeable about dogs. Don't let your dog
end up back in rescue with excuses like "couldn't be housebroken" or "couldn't be
trained". These are cop-outs and excuses used by lazy owners who do not take the time
necessary to properly train their dog. Find some good books to read about dogs and dog
behavior. Your local library and bookstore will have many. Enroll in puppy or dog classes
and learn from an instructor. These classes can be fun for you and your dog!
12) Be prepared for a a new dog. Never give a dog as a "surprise gift". All family members
must agree on having a dog.
| Is a Wheaten the right pet for you? |