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King Wheaten |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain <> Ireland -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the King Wheaten |
| The King Wheaten is a small dog with a heart this big and a playful disposition. Borrowing the energy and soft-coated waves of the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and the size and devotion of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, this hybrid is a well-balanced, family-oriented dog. The King Wheaten is also an excellent alarm barker. Although documentation on the King Wheaten is limited, the parent breeds both share origins in the British Isles and Ireland. The King Wheaten's coat is soft, and given its size and love of good knees, this affectionate dog is a pleasure to cuddle and pet. |
History of the King Wheaten |
| The King Wheaten is a specific cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. The hybrid is not as well known as other deliberately crossed mixes, and detailed accounts of the deliberate breeding of both parents are not documented. There are no set standards for the King Wheaten, and dogs can vary. Currently, only the Dog Registry of America and the International Designer Canine Registry recognize the hybrid, which also goes by the name Cavalier Wheaten. Owners can consult the respective histories of the parent breeds for further information. |
A little of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
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| The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a toy Spaniel with a royal history. In the 16th century, Spaniels were divided into two groups, toy companions and field dogs. Royal families preferred the toy Spaniel in England and France. Kings Charles I and Charles II were very fond of the companion dog, which takes its name from these royal connections. However, the breed's popularity plummeted after the death of Charles II, favoring the flat-faced Pug. Cross-breeding with Carlins gave the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel a different shape to include a round head and short muzzle. It wasn't until the 20th century that breeders began to restore the old look of the breed and, fortunately, some English breeders had retained the original dogs. The American Kennel Club accepted the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as a breed in 1992. The breed's late entry into the club was not due to a lack of popularity, but to a desire to maintain the highest standard of breeding and a fear that demand would adversely affect those of high quality. | ||
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| Standard of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | ||
A little of the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier |
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| The Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is, as its name suggests, a member of the Terrier family and was first developed in Ireland. Originally bred as working dogs, their tails were docked to indicate that the breed was tax-exempt. As a farm dog, the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier was an excellent vermin hunter, and its size enabled the breed to help protect property from human or animal intruders. The Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier first arrived in the USA in Boston in 1946, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed three decades later in 1973. | ||
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| Standard of the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier |
Appearance of the King Wheaten |
| Despite the size and weight of the soft-coated Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier parent, the King Wheaten is a small dog, generally measuring no more than 40.5 centimeters as an adult. Its unique coat is soft and silky with a slight wave. The head is round with large, expressive eyes and a tapered muzzle. The muzzle is longer and finer than the Cavalier King Charles parent. The nose is medium-sized and colors can vary from light to dark. The King Wheaten's ears are large and hang with heavy feathers. The hybrid's body is bony and sturdy, but not too heavy, and the King Wheaten's tail is level with the body and moderately feathered, if not docked. |
Temperament of the King Wheaten |
| The King Wheaten is an energetic, playful dog that loves the company of its family and retains its puppy-like exuberance well into adulthood. This hybrid is affectionate with children, but given its small size and high energy level, it is best suited to older children. The King Wheaten is not aloof with strangers and, when properly socialized, shows affection towards new people. However, the hybrid barks to alert the family to an approaching stranger. If socialized early, the King Wheaten lives in harmony with cats and other dogs, but the Terrier's qualities can turn the neighbor's cat into an enemy. They have lots of energy and love to jump. The King Wheaten's intelligence and desire to please also make this hybrid easy to train. |
Needs and activities of the King Wheaten |
| The King Wheaten is an active dog with moderate energy levels who loves to run and jump. Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are known for their exuberance and love of jumping up and down, but the gentle companion dog energies of the Cavalier King Charles will provide a good balance in the hybrid. The King Wheaten does not have a high tolerance for extreme weather conditions and prefers a temperate climate for its exercise needs. However, given the size of this dog, most do very well with indoor exercise. A backyard is ideal, but if the King Wheaten can satisfy all its exercise needs, apartment living is possible. |
Maintenance of the King Wheaten |
| The King Wheaten has an abundance of hair and requires brushing up to four times a week. Brushing will help remove loose or dead hairs from the coat. The King Wheaten doesn't shed much and can be considered a hypoallergenic dog. Pin brushes and combs are effective on soft waves, and you should pay particular attention to the ears and legs, where hair grows longer. Brushing the coat will help remove dirt and keep the King Wheaten looking its best. This hybrid is prone to allergic dermatitis, so only bathe the King Wheaten when necessary, and always use a hypoallergenic dog shampoo. Both parent breeds can suffer from poor dentition, which can lead to dental disease. We recommend brushing the King Wheaten's teeth at least three times a week. As a rule, King Wheatens don't drool or smell like dogs, but keeping their coat, ears and mouth clean will prevent odors. |
English (United Kingdom)