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Wheaten Eskimo |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Ireland <> U.S.A. -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Wheaten Eskimo |
| The Wheaten Eskimo is a more recent breed, very playful and full of energy. Wheaten Eskimos are very obscure compared to other dog breeds, but they are nonetheless adorable, endearing companions. A cross between an Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and an American Eskimo Dog, the Wheaten Eskimo shares many physical and behavioral traits with its first parent, so much so that it's often mistaken for a full-fledged Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. But perhaps that's not such a bad thing: Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are renowned guard dogs and companions. The Wheaten Eskimo therefore has the potential to leave its mark on the world, just like its ancestors. |
History of the Wheaten Eskimo |
| Being a more recent and emerging dog breed unfortunately means that the Wheaten Eskimo is not as well known as its two parents. Wheaten Eskimo breeding is very recent, having only been around for a few decades, whereas many other dog breeds have been around for centuries. Nor is the Wheaten Eskimo a household name, even among most hybrid dog owners and breeders. Nevertheless, these charming, intelligent, fun-loving dogs make excellent guardians because of their heritage and shouldn't be excluded from the kennel just because they're newcomers to the scene. |
A little of the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier |
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| Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers make up the first half of the mix, and their roots go all the way back to Ireland. The Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers of yesteryear were bred to be skilful watchdogs, excellent vermin hunters and impressive herding dogs. This varied background helped the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier survive the brutal Irish famine and find its place in society after the catastrophe. Many of the useful skills and characteristics that the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier used to survive such a catastrophe were passed on to the Wheaten Eskimo later in the lineage, enabling the Wheaten Eskimo to also be a very capable watchdog. | ||
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| Standard of the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier |
A little of the American Eskimo Dog |
| The American Eskimo Dog actually originated in Germany, but anti-German practices in the 20th century led to the breed being renamed to distance it from the political and nationalist sentiments of the time. American Eskimo Dogs are also renowned for making excellent watchdogs, which explains why this specific trait has become so prevalent in the Wheaten Eskimo. |
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| Presentation of the American Eskimo Dog |
Appearance of the Wheaten Eskimo |
| Wheaten Eskimos closely resemble Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers, to the point where it's sometimes impossible to tell them apart. Wheaten Eskimos have long, dense coats, just like ordinary Irish Soft Coated Terriers, but they can also have amber eyes and brown noses like American Eskimo Dogs. Wheaten Eskimos have the same build and stature as Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers, but some of them may also have a bushier tail, a trait they no doubt inherited from the American Eskimo Dog. Wheaten Eskimos have a clever, somewhat mischievous air, and the intelligent, inquisitive eyes fixed on their round, broad head give this impression as soon as you make eye contact with a Wheaten Eskimo. |
Temperament of the Wheaten Eskimo |
| Wheaten Eskimos are social dogs by nature, and don't do well on their own. He needs someone to play with and care for almost all the time. He may even show signs of separation anxiety if left alone for too long. This is due to the heritage of the Wheaten Eskimo, whose two parents are also social creatures who don't feel particularly well when they start to feel abandoned and alone. The Wheaten Eskimo is a very energetic dog and has a lot of love to give and affection to show, so when placed in an environment where it can do neither, it can cause great stress. He loves children and other dogs; early socialization will ensure that all interactions are positive. |
Needs and activities of the Wheaten Eskimo |
| Wheaten Eskimos need plenty of time and space to burn off excess energy on a regular basis. American Eskimo Dogs and Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers, for which the Wheaten Eskimo is named, are similar-sized dogs with similar physical needs. Both American Eskimo Dogs and Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers tend to become restless if they don't have the opportunity to exercise every day. If your lifestyle prevents you from giving your Wheaten Eskimo at least one hour of exercise a day, this hybrid breed may not be for you. Wheaten Eskimos are very playful by nature and need to be able to walk around 10 km a week to stay in shape. |
Maintenance of the Wheaten Eskimo |
| Most Wheaten Eskimos tend to strongly resemble their Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier parents. As a result, most Wheaten Eskimos have a coat similar to that of their soft-coated Irish Terrier progenitors and therefore need similar grooming tools and techniques to stay healthy. A spiked brush and comb will keep the Wheaten Eskimo's coat rich and untangled, as Wheaten Eskimos are not particularly prone to shedding. Their nails can grow quite large, which can lead to some rather uncomfortable moments if an uncared-for Wheaten Eskimo pounces on you. It's best to trim the Wheaten Eskimo's nails to avoid these scenarios, but never try to do it manually if you're not familiar with the art of puppy pedicure. Wheaten Eskimos may also have greater hypoallergenic qualities than other dog breeds, as the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier was able to pass on these characteristics to its hybrid offspring. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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